A WONDERLAND OF FANTASY AND GAMING COMES TO MELBOURNE THIS OCTOBER BIG GAMES
From dusk to evening on Thursday 5 October, Big Games Night Out invites Victorians and visitors alike to gather in and around Melbourne’s iconic Federal Square for an exciting night of digital gaming, music and cosplay.
Presented by Creative Victoria in partnership with Fed Square as part of Melbourne International Games Week, Big Games Night Out is a free, accessible, all-ages event that welcomes families and gamers from all walks of life – curious, casual, social and hardcore – come together and celebrate amidst the spectacle of games, technology and games.
The full program, to be announced soon, includes unmissable Big Games nights Cosplay Parade and Runway Experience organized I am Varhast and pop star and Twitch streamer Montaigne. A celebration of the fantasy life of our favorite games, the event is open to all cosplayers, regardless of skill level, whether you sew or shop for costumes – everyone is encouraged to register now.
Indie arcade games, 80s games and exciting local releases will also be available to play, as well as a special intergenerational arena for gamers young and old to play and learn together in partnership with the Victorian Seniors Festival. The Change appointment gives gamers a chance to find their next challenge by replacing their old games with something new and experiencing old school nostalgia.
There will also be special events with some of Australia’s biggest games, including a smash hit 2022 Cult of the Lamb. Presented by ACMI and Melbourne Fringe, Cult of the Lamb: Ritual Featuring large-scale puppets and performers, a DJ performance by River Boy and giant animated projections featuring your favorite characters from the game created by Massive Monster, as well as Goldens Scissors Puppets and Jean Poole Projection Mapping. The event is sponsored by Fed Square and Panasonic and made possible with the support of a RISE grant.
To mark the launch of a homegrown sensation Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musicalfrom Victorian Summerfall Studios, Big Games Night Out will also present Stray Gods fashion show – an interdisciplinary event that highlights the incredible combination of games, music and fashion in play. Eight Melbourne-based fashion designers will showcase Stray Gods character costumes alongside their unique creations inspired by the game’s epic story of gods, magic and a thousand-year journey to rediscover their purpose.
The full Big Games Night Out program will be announced soon and will include gaming arcades, open access gaming tournaments, live musical performances by Tripod and Montaigne, exciting audience participation experiences, prizes, gaming-themed fashion shows and more at Fed Square site.
Whether you play games once a week or once a year, Big Games Night Out is a special opportunity to experience Fed Square like never before as it transforms into a gamer’s paradise.
Big Games Night Out and MIGW are part of Creative October – a larger series of creative events taking place across the state throughout the month, supported by the Victorian Government.
Big Games Night Out is funded by the Melbourne City Revitalization Fund, a partnership between the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne.
Big Games Night Out takes place on Thursday 5th October from evening to late as part of Melbourne International Games Week hosted by Creative Victoria – full line-up, maps and schedules coming soon!
Visit gamesweek.melbourne/big-games-night-out to find out more
Register for the Cosplay Parade here
Melbourne International Games Week is a Victorian Government initiative delivered by Creative Victoria in partnership with VicScreen, ACMI and IGEA. Events will run from 30 September to 8 October 2023. For more information visit gamesweek.melbourne