Play Now Melbourne is back for 2026

Play Now Melbourne 2025. Photo by Daniel Mahon.

Australia’s largest games market Play Now Melbourne will return on 8 October 2026 during Melbourne International Games Week.

Presented by VicScreen, Victoria’s creative and economic screen development agency, Play Now Melbourne connects local game developers with publishers, platform holders, and investors, giving local game development studios a unique opportunity to pitch projects to international buyers and take their work to the world.

First held in 2023, Play Now Melbourne has rapidly become the leading marketplace for doing business with Australia’s digital games sector, drawing international publishers and platform holders to Melbourne in search of Australia’s most exciting new games projects and talent.

In 2025, across 230 meetings, 78 developer teams presented $44 million worth of projects to 21 publishers, investors, and platform holders.

Confirmed for Play Now Melbourne 2026 are Devolver Digital, Massive Monster, PlaySide Studios, Pavlova Games, Evil Landfall, Fellow Traveller, Focus Entertainment, Dotemu, The Arcade Crew, Umbrella Entertainment, Ultra Players and WINGS, with more to be announced

Play Now Melbourne is also locked in for 2027, creating an ongoing opportunity for homegrown game makers to create meaningful business opportunities and propel their work onto the global stage.

Games developers from across Australia who have projects in active development looking to secure funding, publishing services, or marketplace support are invited to submit an Expression of Interest. There is no fee to take part in Play Now Melbourne.

Expressions of Interest opens Monday 25 May. For more information visit vicscreen.vic.gov.au/playnow/

Minister for Creative Industries Vicki Ward said, “We’re backing our games industry through Play Now Melbourne – supporting local jobs, linking Victorian game developers with global partners and cementing our reputation as Australia's games capital.”

VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, “Victoria is bursting with exceptional games talent. Our developers create unforgettable games that are clever and globally loved. Play Now Melbourne has become a powerful springboard for Australian creators, opening doors to global partners and accelerating the growth of our games industry. We’re proud to champion the talent driving this sector forward and to help turn great ideas into real commercial success.”

Devolver Digital Co-Founder Graeme Struthers said, “We look forward to Play Now Melbourne every year. Frankly this event is the gold standard. The depth and quality of games that have come through VicScreen and Play Now up until now speaks volumes to the investment and understanding VicScreen has brought to the indie games scene.”

Learn more about VicScreen’s Digital Games programs here.