Playful Careers | First Nations game makers share their stories

Free to attend

We invite First Nations secondary students to explore Playful Careers: First Nations game makers share their stories - a one-off program that explores games, careers, and insights from leading First Nations creatives in the games industry.

Session 1 Talks & game play 10am-12pm

Students will gain insight into career pathways, creative practice and the role of culture in game making. They will play a number of games and demos that demonstrate the range of genres, budgets, game engines and at their core, Indigenous storytelling and culture.

Students who are not taking part in the workshop are invited to stay to attend the Game Worlds Playable Exhibition and Story of the Moving Image for free.

Session 2 Workshop 12- 2.15pm SESSION IS FULLY BOOKED

Finally, schools who book early will also take part in a narrative game workshop working with interactive adventure-based text and designing their own maps and game worlds. Strictly capped at 75 students.

Students who are taking part in the workshop will receive comps to attend the Game Worlds Playable Exhibition for free.

First Nations Tertiary students are welcome to attend the talks and game play which runs 10am-12pm. Please note you are "Tertiary" when booking.

For schools requiring transport assistance, contact education@acmi.net.au

Please arrive at 9:45am through the Fed Square entrance.

Opening speaker Ben Armstrong - Buru and The Old People

We are excited to announce that Ben Armstrong, Creative Director of the game Buru and The Old People will open the day and will share his passion for culture, storytelling and digital technologies.

Ben is a Wiradjuri man and was awarded an AGDA Rising Star award in 2024, which “honours people who have made significant contributions to the Australian Games Industry in the past five years.” Ben has worked over 24 years in creative and digital technologies and headed up numerous Aboriginal led interactive projects. Screen Australia

“Buru and The Old People is an upcoming, short narrative game about a retired thief, the whispers around town, and a growing concern in the darkness of the mountains…” Bururrgan's Pen Pals

Ben will be sharing a glimpse in to the characters and worlds he has created both in short fiction and videogames such as his current game (in development) called Buru and The Old People that features Bururrgan (Buru), a cheeky Australian white ibis who shares “epic stories of times gone by”.

Playful Careers is presented by ACMI and Creative Victoria as part of Melbourne International Games Week.