Big news for our local creative tech community! We’re thrilled to put the spotlight on the Christchurch Game Developers Association (CGDA), which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this month.

For a decade, the CGDA has been the backbone of our local games industry, fostering a vibrant community, supporting countless developers, and showcasing the incredible talent right here in Ōtautahi.

To mark this amazing milestone, they’re hosting a series of fantastic events. We encourage everyone to get involved, celebrate their success, and see what our local game devs have been creating.

Here’s what’s coming up:

1. CGDA 10th Anniversary Meetup

This is the official celebration! Join the community for a special evening MC’d by founder Keegan Gibson. It’s the perfect chance to look back on 10 years of local games, connect with the people driving the industry, and enjoy some pizza.

  • When: Thursday, 6 November (6:15 PM – 8:15 PM)
  • Where: EPIC Innovation, 100 Manchester St, Christchurch CBD
  • Find out more: CGDA 10th Anniversary Meetup

2. HIT Lab NZ and Christchurch Game Developers Exhibition

Explore the future of interactive technology. The Human Interface Technology Lab (HIT Lab NZ) is hosting an open house. You can experience their groundbreaking work in VR, AR, and AI, and meet the researchers and students behind it. Local developers will also be showcasing their game projects.

  • When: Friday, 7 November (1:00 PM – 3:30 PM)
  • Where: John Britten Building, 69 Creyke Rd, Ilam
  • Find out more: HIT Lab NZ & CGDA Exhibition

3. 10th Anniversary Canterbury Games Showcase & Playtest Event

Get your hands on the games! This is a public showcase celebrating Canterbury’s local games industry. Come along to Tūranga to playtest a huge range of games made by our local community and meet the developers behind them. It’s a perfect event for the whole family.

Join us in congratulating the Christchurch Game Developers Association on 10 incredible years. We can’t wait to see what they do in the next decade!