Waypoint: Out West "WOW"

Waypoint is coming out west! We're partnering with ACE to put on a free gathering with food, drink, a certain food oriented party game and festivities!

It's an "arty after party!"

To support us all being in Western Sydney, we're hosting our own event in the evening for anyone wanting to party and connect with others in Western Sydney

Hosted by producer Ryan Penning and curated by artists Eric Tahiri and Liezl Ronquillo, Waypoint is an opportunity for people working within the Sydney Games industry to build connections and discover new games being locally developed. We are a premium games industry events label and creative collective that celebrates Sydney’s game makers.

Waypoint has grown into the heartbeat of Sydney’s games industry, where developers have found momentum and support.

The event will be supported by ACE (Arts & Cultural Exchange), who are helping us with access to the space and supporting us in getting food and refreshment trucks. 🍻

The drinks truck will be serving alcohol on the night and checking IDs; those under 18 will need to stick to other beverages. 🔞

ACE is a cultural organisation based in Western Sydney. ACE has a longstanding history of supporting First Nations people, Multicultural Women, Youth, Neurodivergent Artists, Aged Care and Screen. It’s a lovely venue that’s used primarily for Western Sydney creatives, and it feels like the perfect place to reconnect after a day of playing games and socialising.

ACE is a brisk 12-minute walk from Parramatta Town Hall OR a real speedy 5 min light rail lift from Parramatta Station.

⛴️ Ferry Jam Games

A couple of local developers are hosting a "FERRY JAM".

Developers are hopping on a ferry from Circular Quay to Parramatta to run a game jam, creating games along the way. To support this fun endevour we're working with the organisers to let them showcase these on the night at WOW. Last year, there were 8 insanely fun games made on the ferry trip (check them out here), so we'll see what comes out of this year and let you be the judge! This is a great way to build your skills, but also an opportunity to showcase your work and be part of the event.

If you're interested in joining the jam and showcasing on the night, you can sign up and learn more about it here:

https://itch.io/jam/circular-quay-to-parramatta-ferry-jam-2026

Developers will be socialising and planning beforehand on the IGDA Sydney Discord Group. You'll find a channel there called "⛴ferry-jam" where organisers are helping out, and where you can learn more.

Link to IGDA Discord (Games With Wings): https://discord.gg/93hCNPtDw

🍉 Exclusive Boomerang Fu playable update

Boomerang Fu is a classic Waypoint alumni game from our earliest events. We wanted something low-key, co-op, and easy to access to get into. So Cranky Watermelon will be showcasing an experimental branch of Boomerang Fu with a brand new mode and levels to try out (not featured in the trailer above). If you're a fan of the game, you'll want to come along to try the new goodies coming to the title we’ll be premiering at WOW⭐

💿DJs

WOW will feature 2 local DJ acts, along with a secret act later in the night 🤫

💿 RADIO RORY

hi-fi playful EDM anime chill emotive beats to study and get turnt to.

💿 Kaveh

Kaveh is a Sydney-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and DJ. Starting with piano and guitar before adding saxophone, he later moved into electronic production after an Ableton course. Since 2022, he’s been active as a DJ, including competing in the Your Shot competition. While yet to release music, he has a vault of unreleased tracks spanning ambient, techno, trance, and drum and bass.

⏰ Timetable

🧢 YOU WOULDN'T MAKE A GAME....

Inspired by the terrible anti piracy ads from the 2000's we have a our first hat, a stylised dad hat with full embroidery on the front and back. Wear this to game jams or offices and ask the terribly worded question of "You Wouldn't Make a Game?"

This isn't an event exclusive, and if you weren't able to pick one up previously, now's the time! These will be available while stocks last.

ESC_

ESC the hum drum

and ENTER into a games weekEND

SHIFT your view of games with FORM

INSERT new art with FERRY JAM

feels like HOME with friends at WOW

ESC (Excellent Sydney Collectives) is a collection of three events happening in Western Sydney, Parramatta. These events are independently presented and are to complement the official ALT: Games program

Serenade: FORM | Tickets to FORM 🎫

FORM is an exhibit of experimental games and artist talks, exploring the rich undercurrent of alternative process and experimentation developing outside the traditional sphere of commercial games. From micro games, to alternative controllers, to plunderludics; these works present an alternative vision for games, granting us access to a greater breadth of the medium. We’ve created FORM as a love letter to the fullness of games, while encouraging local artists to explore their creative practice and connect with local and international peers.

🗓️ Friday, April 17th (7:00 PM)

Ferry Jam: Itch.io Ferry Jam Page ⛴️

Make a game on the Circular Quay to Parramatta ferry. Theme announced on the wharf. Any format is welcome, and it does not need to be finished. The jam runs all weekend. You can stay on the ferry or continue elsewhere, then upload later. Ferry is 1hr 26min, so plan ahead.

🗓️ Saturday, April 18th (9:00 AM)

📽️ Checkout our highlight reels from previous events

Policies and rules

Code of Conduct

Waypoint & ACE acknowledge the Burramadagal people of the Dharug Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which this event takes place.

We pay respect to their Elders, past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded, and this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.