The short version: Generation Games Sydney 2024 (GGS24) was surprisingly good. Like, really good. For its first venture into the world of geek conventions, GGS24 ticked many boxes and added a few surprises. I genuinely enjoyed myself, tried a few new things, reconnected with old gaming friends and met some new crew. In a world where it feels like everything is a commercial transaction, it was a relief to attend an event that celebrated the community while still being an active promotion (a necessary evil if they want the funding to come back next year). 

If you’re looking for the quick version of this review: I liked it, the EG Family liked it, we picked up a few new games and interests, and yes, we will be back next year. *two thumbs up*

But the truth is, that’s NOT all she wrote. Geek conventions have changed in many ways over the last five years. There is a distinct line drawn on the exhibition floor dividing our favourite events into pre-COVID lockdowns and post-COVID lockdowns. However, this line is not simply, “Lockdowns hurt attendance.” COVID was merely the catalyst for a change in social behaviours, expectations, and a healthy respect for the gaming community (on both sides of the controllers). 

GGS24 is one of a few major events that bravely approached this new environment. Recently, we have seen major international events crash and burn (RIP E3). We have seen attempts at online events (nice to see you again, LudoNarraCon). And we have seen smaller events continue to feed their loyal and regular fans but never quite make it profitable. GGS24 has seen an opportunity and taken a chance to fill it. While the TL;dr scenario is a clear YES, the longer analysis is far more considerate of what exactly fans are looking for in their geek conventions–and whether these celebrated events actually deliver. 

Fresh Start: Generation Games Sydney 2024

Let’s look at GGS24, a brand-new gaming convention for Sydney. The first question asked is: Does Sydney really need another gaming convention? To be frank, yes. The last big gaming convention based in Sydney was EB Gams Expo back in 2016. That particular event moved each year, including Brisbane in 2017 and Melbourne in 2018 (its final year). I hoped for more  Powerhouse Late: Gaming, but the Powerhouse Museum renovations cancelled that. This year, we will see the introduction of PlayCon (a tabletop-centric event). Still, other than a range of smaller and local events (like Gamma in Wagga Wagga, regional NSW), Sydney has little to offer. 

Around Australia, gaming conventions feature fairly regularly. The most popular is definitely PAX Aust, hosted in Melbourne (Vic) and the key event for Melbourne International Game Week. The Victoria Government offers a lot of support for game developers, so it’s no surprise to see them also host DreamHack, The Game Expo, and Meeplecon. Adelaide (SA) includes video games at AVCON (Adelaide’s Anime and Video Games Festival). 

There is also a range of general geek/pop-culture events which do feature some gaming elements. The big names are Oz Comic-Con, Supanova, and SXSW. Each of these offers a broad geek-convention experience, but none of them compare to the true gamer-life community like PAX Aust. It’s a pretty high benchmark to reach. And yet, based on a first-time experience, I really do think GGS24 has the potential to do it. They did enough things right to lure me back next year. Naturally, there is room for improvement as well, but those things are easy enough to fix and will create more opportunities as well. 

Big Gaming Conventions or Smaller Release Events?

Before COVID Lockdowns, most geeky conventions were huge events for big announcements. This was the same here in Australia and around the world. If you want to build the hype about a new game, offer it up as a demo to play exclusively at <insert event>. I still remember Sea of Thieves having its launch on the tall ship Polly Woodside, outside PAX Aus in 2017. It was the perfect aesthetic for the game (even if they had connectivity issues). 

Things changed during COVID Lockdowns; whether or not it is due to the Lockdowns is up for debate. Last year, the ESA President and CEO blamed E3’s cancellation on big-name publishers, many of which had opted for their own smaller release events rather than showcasing at major exhibitions. PAX Aus 2022 had a taste of this, with many big names missing from the showroom floor but having “exclusive” events at select venues around Melbourne simultaneously. Attempts at ‘online exhibitions’ have struggled to build the same atmosphere. However, there are a handful that make it work (check out LudoNarraCon). 

The tricky situation lies in balancing in-person events and digital marketing opportunities. People spend more money when they are there in person, especially younger attendees. However, they are also the generation who rely on digital media to share information and trends. The sweet spot appeals to the online communities but offers them something they can only do in person–like LARPing, specialist panels, or exclusive loot. In fact, there is a real benefit from tapping into smaller niche communities and creating a specialised event rather than relying on big-name companies to carry you. Rather than a grab-all approach, organisers are better off attracting fans with larger budgets for events specialising in their interests. For example, focusing on Indie Games in Australia. 

What Fans Want From Their Convention Experience

Of course, as a gamer, I want to believe that every gaming convention is created purely for my experience. But the reality is that conventions are designed to attract sponsors. Sorry to burst your bubble, but deep down, we all know it’s true. Many gamers noted this about GGS24: there was a noticeable push for accommodations and travel, implying some sort of sponsorship deal with Destination NSW. At the end of the day, every cultural convention is about money, and there’s a lot of money in travel/tourism. 

But what is the key factor that entices fans to travel to their geeky conventions? Surprisingly, research revealed the biggest drawcard was something new. Yep, we all want the novelty of being the first to try the latest game or hear the news. While events need to initially attract us with something familiar and popular (thank you, tribalism), the biggest drawcard is providing new experiences that give attendees an element of ‘specialness’. Bonus points for smaller games with less popularity. For example, indies are one of the best things to come out of Australia. Thus, they become a huge drawcard for gaming conventions.  

New Games

GGS24 tapped into this with a section of new indie video games vying for our attention. The Indie Dev Zone was very small, but at least every game was different. One of our favourites was The Godfeather: A Mafia Pigeon Saga, first demo’ed at PAX Aust 2022. Although not quite “new”, it was great to see the team at GGS24 present their final product and attract a lot of attention. 

Still with the video games, I’m excited to see future developments for Which Way Up Galaxy Games, Dolven, and Lighthaze World. Each of these games stands out for its uniqueness and its accessibility for players. 

Which Way Up Galaxy Games was a cute party game suitable for families and kids. 

Dolven was a surprisingly enjoyable turn-based strategy game. 

Lighthaze World is an explorative puzzle platformer, similar to a futuristic and slightly more mature version of A Short Hike. 

I didn’t have the chance to play Crush Zone Demolition Derby, but I heard good things from attendees. 

The same indie vibe wasn’t quite as strong in the tabletop representation. I was glad to see Good Games Australia and its distributor, Let’s Play Games. They had a great area for some play-testing, including the brand-new Surf’s Up! (Review to come). There was also a neat tabletop library at the back of the convention and a HUGE Dungeons & Dragons set-up in the middle. This area was absolutely packed with tables for newbies to learn. 

Join in the Fun

One of the better gaming features at GGS24 was the LARP Side-quests, which tied in nicely with the heavy D&D feature in the centre of the exhibition floor. To be clear, LARPing was definitely not on my bingo sheet for GGS24; I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with it. But it was way too enticing for the spawnlings to ignore. Big respect for every member of the LARPing group, who stayed in character yet adapted for a wide range of players. 

I watched an orc joyfully play a game of Tsuro with two small kids, then instantly adapt to a different challenge with an adult. Personally, this was the highlight of the event for me. I think LARPing is my new fave way to explore a gaming convention, especially with a multi-day pass. Spend the first day LARPing with a bunch of side quests, take notes of things as you see them, and then spend the 2nd/3rd day going back for a closer look. Not only is it a fantastic way to meet the vendors (who are often fully aware and may even be participating), but it is also a bit more fun than my usual ‘left-wall’ dungeon crawl. 

Big thanks to Epic Armoury and the NSW and ACT LARPs community. I highly recommend you look for them at future events, such as Blacktown Medieval Fayre and PAX Aust 2024.

Let’s Chat

The LARPing adventure ties in with my next point. Too many conventions are so focused on being a ‘market’, they forget how to nurture the community. Loot is great; deep down, we are all caricature crows, collecting our shiny and showing it off to the rest of the murder crowd. However, vendors and market stalls are never the priority. PAX Aust is acknowledged as The Gaming Event in Australia because it has a community. And where does the community come from? MASSIVE SUPPORT FOR INDIE DEVS and so many panels to share the collective knowledge. 

I love having conversations about how to raise future gamers, the medical consequences if Mario was a real person, or how RPGs can help manage your anxiety. Panels with cosplayers on the perils of wearing high heels all day long (and whether you can hot glue the stiletto back on). Discussions on security issues and harassment, with a genuine Federal Police Officer to explain the reality. These are just some of my highlights from PAX Aust over the years and examples of what I want to see more often. 

GGS24 lightly tapped into this. Honestly, I think they can do even better next year. I concede that this was the first run, so it’s hard to attract the right presenters. Some of the panels at GGS24 included “Game Designers Hate Cosplayers and We Can Prove It”, “When I Grow Up, I Wanna Be a Content Creator”, and “Can Swords Really Do That: Real Sword Fighters Discuss Game Combat”. That last one was really interesting to consider, thanks to a fencing expert and a Kendo specialist. 

Room for Improvement: What Could We See Next Year

All things said, I’m looking forward to seeing GGS25, and there are a few things they can do to make it even better.

• More Indie Devs – In 2023, we had PowerHouse Late: Gaming twice, which included a large range of indie devs across all gaming areas. It was at least double the offerings we saw at GGS24. Next year, GGS can’t hide behind its “new kid” status. Bring more indie games. 
• Lean into your ‘Generation’ label – My biggest disappointment was the lack of generational or even cross-generational details. GGS24 is promoted as a family-friendly, ‘every generation of gamers’ event. And yet, there was no discussion about generations anywhere. Not even a debate or panel with a generation face-off. That shift I mentioned earlier, with the change in attendance, lockdowns and gamer behaviour? Well, it is a seismic LEAP across generations. GGS24 had a real opportunity to bridge across a few generations. More panels about family game time, or discussions about games that have stood the test of time across generations. Perhaps a few play-offs between parents. There are plenty of opportunities to make ‘Generations’ more than a word in the title. 
• Give Cosplayers Breathing Space – Cosplayers love these events. Their social media alone is worth the promotional value for event organisers. Just give them a bit more space to move around. We all know you need to maximise the paid-for-space with vendors, but make sure you leave enough room for cosplayers (and LARPing members) to move around. Otherwise, the cosplayers will move outside your venue and take all that lovely community vibe and social media coverage with them. 
• Open Up the Panels—Never underestimate the power of a panel. Honestly, GGS24 was a great start for this. Next year, do a bigger call for pitches earlier in the year and target the existing communities. 

Time and money are precious commodities. Many of us simply do not have the luxury of throwing our cash around or spending a weekend just to see what it’s like. Knowing this, I’m glad I attended GGS24 and really felt like I gained something beneficial from it (as well as giving a little back). I’m already a little excited to see what Generation Games offers in 2025. Maybe you’ll see me on a panel? Or challenge me to a Generation Face-off with Mario Kart. Fair warning: I have been practising. Either way, I’m looking forward to coming back next year. And that really does say a lot. 

Categories: General Evil Genius

Tagged as: convention conventions cosplay events games gaming GGS2024 kids LARP RPG Sydney tabletop video games

Evil Genius Mum

Evil Genius Mum
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