Big Games Night Out is set to make a grand return as part of Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) 2025, scheduled for 9 October. This year’s event promises an exciting lineup featuring major game exhibits, immersive shows, and opportunities for tabletop adventuring, alongside a dedicated space for young gamers.
The centerpiece of the event will be the Electric Arcadia exhibit, crafted by Callum Preston and Louie Roots. This exhibit aims to transport fans back to the classic gaming era of the 80s and 90s, highlighting the enduring impact of gaming culture on our lives. Described as a tribute to Amusement Plaza, Electric Arcadia will allow visitors to immerse themselves in gaming history.
Immersive Experiences and Tabletop Adventures
Indiginerd joins the lineup with a special 80s-themed Dungeons & Dragons one-shot adventure inspired by the popular series Stranger Things. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate directly, with an immersive photo opportunity also available.
According to the Big Games Night Out team, tabletop games will be a major focus this year. Life-sized playable games and a special Games Market aim to remind attendees of ‘the power of tabletop games to foster connection in the digital age.’
Activities for Young Gamers
For the first time, Big Games Night Out will feature dedicated activities for young players. The ‘Little Games Night Out’ will offer a space for dress-up, face painting, and partying, ensuring that even the youngest gamers have a memorable experience.
Beyond these attractions, visitors can look forward to a cosplay parade, late-night access to the Game Worlds exhibit featuring popular games like Hollow Knight: Silksong, The Sims, and The Elder Scrolls. There will also be free-to-play game zones, roving performances, an interactive dance battle, and a ‘car boot cardcade.’
Celebrating Victoria’s Gaming Industry
Colin Brooks, Minister for Creative Industries, emphasized the significance of the event, stating,
‘Big Games Night Out is a celebration of Victoria’s vibrant games scene, which is more than just entertainment – our local games industry is among the best in the world, creating jobs and fostering the next generation of talent.’
Katrina Sedgwick, Director and CEO of Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, added,
‘Big Games Night Out at Fed Square showcases the strength, talent, and diversity of Victoria’s world-class games industry – where creativity, technology, and culture collide. It’s a chance for seasoned and budding gamers, family and friends to come together and experience the human side of games development: the storytelling, the artistry, and the sheer fun of play.’
Upcoming Lineup and Additional Attractions
The full lineup for the upcoming show will be released in September. In the meantime, interested parties can learn more about Big Games Night Out on the event’s website. As in past years, the event will take place in and around Fed Square in Melbourne, Australia.
Meanwhile, ACMI’s Game Worlds exhibition in Melbourne will feature blockbuster titles such as The Elder Scrolls Online, Final Fantasy XIV, Minecraft, SimCity, and Stardew Valley. These games will be showcased with behind-the-scenes looks at their development and the creation of their unique game worlds.
Joining these titles are Terra Nil (Free Lives), Guardian Maia (Metia Interactive), Celeste (Maddy Makes Games), The Sentinel (Geoff Crammond/Firebird), DOOM 1993 (id Software), Team Fortress (Valve), Maze War (Greg Thompson and Dave Lebling), Colossal Cave Adventure (William Crowther), and Zork (Infocom).
A number of Australian developers will also feature in the show, including Sbug Games with Isopod and 2pt Interactive with new playable prototypes. The historic Melbourne House, which became Beam Software and then Krome Studios Melbourne, will be represented with The Hobbit, one of the first major games produced in Australia.
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