THE GAMES FOR CHANGE ASIA-PACIFIC
SHOWCASE 2025

Tuesday 7 October 2025 

@ ACMI Lab 1, Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria 300

9:30 amIn Deep Water   (Deb Polson, RMIT University)
An artfully sculpted digital marine biorama exploring Aotearoa New Zealand’s fragile aquatic ecosystems. Using quirky retro-futuristic controls, players navigate waterways, scan data beacons, and track marine species to understand microplastic pollution’s impact. Grounded in real scientific research collaborations, this sim-game enables meaningful public engagement with urgent marine biodiversity challenges.
11:00 am BraveCart   (Richard Salter, Hojo Studio)

A satirical narrative adventure following an abandoned shopping trolley’s revolution against consumerism and waste. This puzzle game for Steam, Switch, and Mobile features a real-world “Trolley Tracker” system for reporting abandoned trolleys, while donating 10% of sales to environmental charities, transforming entertainment into meaningful environmental action.

12:30 pmMyndzai   (Jake Albert Truman, Entropy Interactive)
A mobile game integrating psychological practices from mindfulness to polyvagal theory and narrative therapy, designed to make mental health understanding engaging. Currently in vertical slice development with Screen NSW funding, this innovative title balances digital wellness with modern game design to create commercially viable mental health benefits.
2:00 pmThe Hotline   (Kasey Gambling, The Honeytrap)
A browser-based choose-your-own-adventure game satirizing anti-choice pregnancy helplines through simulated phone menu navigation. Featuring verbatim interviews from lived reproductive healthcare experiences, this interactive narrative explores how patriarchal medicine impacts people with reproductive health issues, including under-discussed topics like hysterectomy and gender-affirming care.
3:30 pmCrab God   (Nico King, Chaos Theory)
An atmospheric underwater strategy game where players nurture Crablings while building coral reefs and defending the next Crab God’s egg. Through partnership with dots.eco, 10% of revenue supports real conservation efforts including ocean cleaning and reef restoration, converting virtual ecosystem management into tangible environmental impact.
5:00 pm Close

Thursday 9 October 2025 

@ ACMI Lab 1, Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria 3000

9:30 amThe Last Werewolf   (Rebecca Kerr, Unnatural Freaks Studio)
An interactive narrative using werewolf folklore as a metaphor for living with Bipolar Disorder. Following Lachie’s supernatural investigation journey, this game blends humor with educational elements about mental health, exploring identity and self-understanding. Created through research and lived experience, it challenges player expectations while fostering empathy and meaningful conversation about mental health conditions.
11:00 am _the little things   (Jeff Achtem, Bunk Puppets)
An immersive 8-minute 360° VR film featuring mesmerising shadow puppetry and found objects that create captivating landscapes and characters. This “DIY-VR” experience platforms real voices of local Merri-bek residents sharing thoughts on hope, strength, and community resilience, transforming everyday materials into magical storytelling through Bunk Puppets’ signature creativity
12:30 pmSticky Web   (Neema Iyer, STEMtoto)
An interactive narrative game where every choice shapes your family’s digital future. Players navigate fast-moving online scenarios—from viral misinformation to privacy traps and scams—making decisions affecting themselves, parents, siblings, and friends. Set in the Global South’s growing digital landscape, this replayable experience builds digital confidence and sparks meaningful conversation.
2:00 pmLoFi Games   (Pete Wences Fernandes, RMIT University)

An innovative RMIT initiative using cost-effective gamification through existing tools like Excel to create powerful educational simulations. Showcasing EcoVest, a semester-long impact investment game using real market data, and Chain Reaction, a Boeing-partnered aerospace supply chain simulation. These low-barrier, content-driven games significantly boost engagement while improving learning outcomes.

3:30 pmThe Foodbank Game   (Gillian Vesty, RMIT University)
A 10-level management simulation developed with Foodbank Victoria where players collect donations and healthy food while improving brand image. Each level presents ethical decision-making challenges that impact points earned, teaching the complexities of charity organization management while promoting responsible leadership and stakeholder engagement.
5:00 pmSafe In Custody   (Joshua Jimenez, In2Games)
A 2D learning experience teaching safeguards for police arrest situations. Players experience both perspectives – as a travelling youth being arrested and as a police officer – learning best practices that respect human rights and reduce risks of torture and ill-treatment. Developed in partnership with the Association for the Prevention of Torture.
6:30 pmMythGuided   (Kevin Patrick Gallagher, Kosmic Pyramid Games)

A combat-free VR storytelling and mindfulness adventure where players journey through calming, myth-inspired worlds to uncover forgotten stories. Blending mindful exploration, breathwork mechanics, memory puzzles, and immersive storytelling, this gentle experience offers unique challenges and characters while creating a safe space for relaxation, emotional wellbeing, and experiencing ancient mythology.

8:00 pm Close

WE THANK THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT