VicScreen secures top global games publishers for Play Now Melbourne 2025

Play Now Melbourne 2024, photo by Sarah Chavdaroska

Australia’s leading international games market Play Now Melbourne is gearing up for a power-packed third year with some the world’s top game publishers set to attend.

Leading global publishers and platform holders Akupara Games, Devolver Digital, Massive Monster, and UltraPlayers are already signed on for the market with more major players to be announced in coming months.

Joining them are Alt Ventures, Silver Lining Interactive, TheOneGames, Outersloth and Wholesome Games Presents, who are attending the market for the first time. 

Presented by VicScreen, Victoria’s creative and economic screen development agency, with assistance from Screen Australia, Play Now Melbourne brings together local game developers, publishers, platform holders and investors, providing Australian creatives the unique opportunity to pitch their games to the international market and sell their games to the world. 

First held in 2023, Play Now Melbourne has rapidly grown to become the pre-eminent trade gateway to Australian games. Last year saw over 165 meetings take place, with 55 developer teams, and 19 publishers, investors and platform holders participate. 

Play Now Melbourne 2025 will be held on Thursday 9 October, at W Melbourne, as part of Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW).

Expressions of interest for Play Now Melbourne are now open to games developers from across Australia who have projects in active development looking to secure funding, publishing services, or marketplace support. There is no fee to take part in Play Now Melbourne. 

The Expression of Interest period closes Thursday 24 July 2025. For more information visit  https://vicscreen.vic.gov.au/playnow/

VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, “Play Now Melbourne is going from strength to strength. In 2024, over $42 million worth of projects were presented by 55 developer teams, up from $24 million the previous year. The market’s international standing is demonstrated by the calibre of publishers, investors and platform holders already set to attend and connect with independent Australian game developers this year.”

Screen Australia Head of Games Joey Egger said, "We're incredibly proud to continue our support of Play Now Melbourne, which has established itself as a marquee event for our games industry. Now in its third year, Play Now continues to grow and attract key players – a testament to the strength and creativity of our local sector."