We’re super stoked to announce this year’s JOYPAD event! Sponsored by Dinosaur Polo Club! 🦕💕
It's a casual social evening for our queer and LGBTQIA+ gaming community! 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🎮
Enjoy a games night over some snacks and drinks!
📍Southern Cross Garden Bar
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
🥝🍓 The Pavs community awards nominations close in 5 days!
Nominate someone you feel should be recognised for the following awards— maybe even your bestie!
🏆 Unsung Hero
🏆 Industry Pillar
🍰 Be there on awards day by securing a ticket! 🎫
Links in bio 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
🍰 A massive thank you to everyone for the record amount of submissions for The Pavs!
Finalists will be contacted on April 2nd! 🧑💻
The Pavs:
🍓 Michael Fowler Centre
🥝 May 9, 7pm
Purchase a ticket with the link in bio & support your local games industry! 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
⏱️ There’s 1 week left before the NZGF 2026 Earlybird Tickets take flight! 🪽
👉 These tickets cover all the paid events!
Further discounts are available for students! 💁👨🎓
Visit the link in our bio to purchase yours now! 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
🍰 We need your help finding nominees for The Pavs community awards!
👉 Unsung Hero
👉 Industry Pillar
If there is somebody you would like to put forward — including yourself— please nominate them!
⏳️Nominations close April 1st!
Link for nominations in bio! 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
— Dawn of the Final Day —
Less than 24 hours to apply to showcase your games at this free event! 😯
We accept a variety games from digital, board, tabletop, or experimental! 🎮 🎲 🃏
📍May 10, 10AM-5PM
Michael Fowler Centre
For more info, visit the link in bio 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
🎉 Kick off the festival with PB & Jam, a free game jam from May 1-3! 🍞
In 48 hours, form teams to create game on a surprise theme ! All are welcome to join, but must be over than 18!
✨ Ready to jam? Register a ticket through the link in our bio! 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
📢 There's only 3 days left to apply for the Level Up Platformer exhibition!
This is a free, physical exhibition to the public showcasing Aotearoa-made games! 🇳🇿
Digital, board, tabletop, and experimental games are welcomed!
For more info, visit the link bio 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
🙌 We're ecstatic to announce our 2nd keynote speaker, Emma Procter!
Emma is the Research Director at PikPok and currently a board member at NZGDA. 👩💻📊
✨️ Don't miss out on Emma's talk! purchase tickets to Play By Play via the link in bio! 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
📢 There's only 5 days left to submit applications for a table at the Platformer exhibition!
A variety of games from digital games, board games, and experimental games are welcomed! 🇳🇿
📍Sunday May 10, 10AM - 5PM
Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
Link in bio 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
📢 The early bird catches the worm! Make sure to grab your early bird tickets before the end of the month! 🐣
🤫 Student discount & separate event tickets are also available! ✨️
🔗 Visit the link in bio to purchase & view other ticket options.
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
We're thrilled to announce keynote speaker Lisa Blakie (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha)!
She is the Co-Director and Narrative Director for Ōtepoti-based Atawhai Interactive! They debuted in 2025 with "Toroa: Skycall".
Don't miss out! Get tickets via the link in bio! 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
📢 Heads up! Make sure to grab your early bird tickets to the festival before they go! 🐣
🤫 Student discount tickets & separate event tickets are also available! ✨️
🔗 Visit the link in bio to purchase & view other ticket options.
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
🦕 Raaawr! A massive thank you to Dinosaur Polo Club for being an Anniversary Tier partner 🎉 & 2026 JOYPAD event sponsor! 🎮🏳️🌈
👉They're the kiwi studio behind the award-winning Mini Metro 🚉 & Mini Motorways! 🚗
🙌 We’re extremely grateful for their continued support!
#NZGamesFest #NZGameDev #NZGF2026
🥳 Kick off the NZ Games Fest with PB & Jam, a free 18+ event from May 1-3!
⏱️Participants form teams to make games based on a surprise theme!
Get to know others, play to your strengths, & bring your passion for games! 🤝🎮
✨ Ready to jam? Link in our bio! 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
📣 Heads up! Speaker submissions at the Play by Play conference closes Saturday 28th Feb 11:59PM. 📆
Prior speaking experience is not required 😊 Share your experiences, knowledge, and connect with others in the game development industry! 🎮
Link in bio! 🔗
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
Check out our Demo for Steam next fest and tag us in any content you post. We love checking it out!
#indiegames #gaming #NZGameDev #SteamNextFest
We are in next fest! Check out slow burn psychological horror about a tech billionaire and exposing his secrets!
store.steampowered.com/app/2941990/...
#Unhomely #SteamNextFest #IndieHorror #NZGameDev #UnrealEngine
We have a new trailer and playable demo on steam for our game Unhomely! Check us out during Steam Next Fest and Wishlist Unhomely if you enjoy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB1G...
#Unhomely #SteamNextFest #IndieHorror #NZGameDev #UnrealEngine
The demo for Unhomely is now live for Steam Next Fest.
It’s a slow-burn psychological horror set in the New Zealand wilderness, built around atmosphere, tension, and that uneasy feeling that something isn’t quite right.
#IndieGames #GameDevelopment #SteamNextFest #NZGameDev
Enjoy your stay...
Wishlist Unhomely on Steam.
#IndieGames #GameDevelopment #UnrealEngine #NZGameDev
We’re Studio 8-Track, an indie studio from Aotearoa NZ.
We’re making Unhomely — a retro-inspired psychological horror game about isolation, investigation, and the feeling that something isn’t right.
Coming to PC 2026.
#IndieGames #GameDevelopment #NZGameDev
🙋 Keen to get involved in Aotearoa's game development community? We're looking for volunteers at the New Zealand Games Festival!
✨️ Volunteers receive a discounted/free ticket to the Play By Play conference.
Link in bio! 🔗
⏳️ Applications close March 8th.
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev
YOOOOO!!! 🌐Orbifold kickstarter is up!!
please go support my friends' working on it here:➡️
www.kickstarter.com/projects/chr...
#orbifold #gamedev #indiedev #nzgame #NZGamedev #NZGD #kickstarter #FPS #newgame
🙌 Super excited to announce Black Salt Games as a 2026 Anniversary Tier partner! ✨️
Thank you to Black Salt Games for supporting us in our 10th year! 🎂 Our sponsors help us to continue our work! 🎉
👉 They are kiwi game studio behind the award-winning DREDGE! 🛥 🫣
#NZGamesFest #NZGameDev #NZGF2026
📢 Artists Wanted!
🖼️ NZGF's Game Arts Exhibition is back for 2026 at Fish Cube Gallery.
🐾 This year’s theme is: Reimagined Pokémon Characters!
📅 Register your interest by March 3rd, artists will be selected mid March.
🔗 Register here: forms.gle/SwjyoBuPDA3a...
#NZGamesFest #NZGameDev #NZGF2026
📢 Volunteer applications are open!
NZ Games Festival needs volunteers to help with events during the festival.
Volunteers will receive a free ticket to the conference 🎟️💖
📅 Applications close 8th of March.
🔗 Click here to apply: forms.gle/9zpacou3orFX...
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #nzgamedev
🎮📢 Are you a passionate gamer or experienced gamdev wanting to share your voice in the industry? ✨
🍓🥝 The Pavs are back for 2026 and we’re on the hunt for volunteer Judges and Jury!
🔗 Click here to apply/find out more: forms.gle/fQxhuHxB9f7h...
#NZGamesFestival #NZGF #NZGameDev
🍓🥝 The Pavs Games Awards want to see your game!
🌏Calling Kiwis, Aussies, and other Oceania-based gamedevs. Video games, card games, and board games included--We can’t wait to see what you’ve been cooking!
👉 Click here to apply, or find out more: lnkd.in/gS5FCtNT
#NZGamedev #NZGamesFest #NZGF
✨NZ Games Festival is back and celebrating our 10th birthday in 2026!✨
After a decade, "Checkpoint" felt like the perfect theme for us to reflect on everything that’s happened, and look to the future.
Join us in April for birthday bash, and watch this space for more info!
#nzgf2026 #nzGameDev
