Gaming is growing around the world — whether it’s as a sport, a form of home entertainment, or a way of life, gamers of all stripes are steadily increasing their numbers. South Africa is no different, now playing host to several gaming events, from lifestyle to competitive. And here’s another one: Playtopia, an indie games and “playful media” event taking place in the Mother City from 30 November to 2 December. And if you’re in the Cape Town area over that weekend, we have two weekend passes up for grabs.

Expect to see a whole lot of local gaming (and related) talent on offer. The folks from Free Lives (you may have heard of a little thing called Broforce) are the main organisers but local outfit Nyamakop will be represented (check out Semblance when you get a gap), there will be folks from Sweden’s Landfall Games, and a whole range of speakers (including Anita Sarkeesian, Justin Amirkhani, Ben Rausch, and SA’s own Lauren Beukes) in attendance for the weekend.

You can pick up a ticket for the event starting at R120 (for a Sunday pass) but if you’re feeling lucky you can also hit the form below and perhaps win yourself a weekend pass. We have two to give away.



WHAT:

Playtopia is a 3-day indie games and playful media festival, showcasing local and international independent computer games, interactive and digital art, talks, panels, workshops and an awesome music line-up. Taking cues from international alternative games festivals, Playtopia marks South Africa’s debut homegrown celebration of games and interactive art. Producing a series of surprise global hits, South Africa’s game makers (and their unique creations) have landed up on the international map, and Playtopia stands to celebrate the country’s diverse game development community, and inspire the next generation of creators, gamers and enthusiasts. Collecting the best of local art and games alongside international contemporaries, Playtopia promises to be one of a kind African gaming celebration. WHERE:

Playtopia will take place in the oldest building in South Africa, The Castle of Good Hope, a maze of rooms and history. This collision of past and future adds energy and creativity to the Playtopia setting. WHO:

Free Lives (creators of Broforce, Genital Jousting and Gorn VR) were inspired to start Playtopia as a platform to bring together the gaming and digital arts community to further education, enthusiasm and interest in this growing industry. Largely inspired by A MAZE./Berlin (and its offshoot A MAZE./JHB), the Free Lives team (in collaboration with Make Games South Africa and Africa Games Week) has drawn on the organizational and creative talents of Dominique Gawlowski (Festival Director Grietfest & Playtopia), Limpho Moeti (Free Lives & Deputy Festival Director Playtopia), Ben Rausch (Super Friendship Arcade) and others, to create Playtopia here in Cape Town as the first locally brewed festival to focus on indie game development and experimental media.

Got all that? Click through to the Terms and Conditions for the legally required bits for this sort of thing and then you’re set to pop on down to the entry form and get your entry in. Or, you know, don’t, but entering means that you agree to be bound by the Ts&Cs, unless you work for Stuff Magazine. Stuff staff can’t play this particular game. The winners will be announced on 19 November.