Introducing more Play By Play speakers!

👉 Josmar (Jay) Roman Miti
“Now that Minecraft is Puerto Rican…”

👉 Laura Anderson
“Craft with Care: Tips from a cosy games writer”

👉 Jeff Andrews
“You Should Build A Game Engine (for fun)”

Tickets available via link in bio. 🔗

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026

Introducing more Play By Play speakers!

👉 Sam Marsh
“A Recruiter’s View of the ANZ Games Industry”

👉 Piper Van Rinsvelt
“Anything and Everything and Design”

👉 Robert Francis
“How did they ship with that?!”

Tickets available link in bio🔗

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev #2026PlayByPlay

Band your party together and seize the glory at this year’s game-themed pub quiz! 🧝‍♂️🧙‍♀️🧚‍♀️

Enjoy a night of fun, bad jokes, & sustenance! Prizes & honour will be at stake! 🍗🍻

📍 Meow
📆 May 7, 6:30-9PM

👉 Teams need 3-6 people.

Register through the link in bio 🔗

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev

🫣 There’s less than 3 weeks til PB & Jam, the free game jam!

⏱️ Participants (18+) have 48 hrs to form teams & create a short game!

👉 Game dev experience not required – we want to see your unique skills & ideas! 😊

Keen? Register through the link in bio! 🔗

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev

🎉 Thank you very much to NZ On Air (Irirangi te Motu) for joining us as a New Zealand Games Festival sponsor!

It’s an honour to be recognised and receive support for sharing both our stories and voices in game development with the rest of Aotearoa! 🎮 🇳🇿

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev

⏳️The extended early bird tickets will close soon! After April 10th, tickets will return to regular price!

Student discounts and other options are also available! 🧑‍🎓🎮

👉 Grab yours before they fly away!

Visit the link in our bio to get yours now! 🔗

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev

Thank you to everyone who’ve shown interest in the Level Up Reimagine ‘Em All exhition!

Selected artists have been contacted with submissions details 📩

👉 Physical hand-ins will be on May 7, 10AM~ at Fishcube Gallery.

For more info, visit website link bio 🔗

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev

It’s 1 month before PB & Jam! 🍞

⏱️ From May 1~3 participants (18+) form teams to create games in 48 hours!

👉 No experience needed to join!

Make new friends & share your passion for game dev! 🤝🎮

✨ Ready to jam? Register for free via link in bio! 🔗

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev

🥳 April fools! The early bird tickets don't end today! They end—

(When did you say…?)
— end on April 10th. ✨️

(Wait, why 10?)
For our 10th year! 🤗

👉 Earlybird tickets have been extended until April 10!

Visit the link in bio to get your earlybird ticket 🔗

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev

🎉 Treat & Greet is making a delicious return this year! 🧁🍬

🎀 Get to know other Play By Play attendees or catch up over some tasty treats at this fun, safe, and non-alcoholic event! 🤝

📍Fishcube Gallery, May 8, 6:30-9PM

For more info, visit the link in bio 🔗

#NZGamesFestival #NZGF2026 #NZGameDev

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

🙋 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

🙌 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