Aotearoa’s favourite cosy games festival is back!!! With a new line up for NZ Games Fest and Play by Play 2025!
When
Thursday 1st – Friday 2nd May 2025
Where
Tapere Nui
Te Auaha
Wellington
Help!
info@playbyplay.co.nz
Welcome to Play by Play! Aotearoa New Zealand’s games conference with a difference!
Play by Play and NZ Games Fest is back from the 25th April – 2nd May 2025 – for game developers, hobbyists and those interested in the sector.
Kicking off in the country’s beating cultural heart, Wellington, Play by Play is a New Zealand games conference with a difference. In addition to our flagship conference, we host networking events and professional development workshops for industry players as part of the wider NZ Game Festival, including Game Jams, Exhibitions, the NZ Games awards—The Pavs—and our fabulous networking events!
The Play by Play conference (1st—2nd May) features a diverse slate of talks on the theme ‘Joy Sparks!’ and exciting opportunities to network with other ANZ game developers.
All access passes give you entry to all NZ Games Festival events, including the Play by Play conference and the Pavs game awards. Festival events include Treat and Greet, PB and Jam, JoyPad, Level Up, and more!
Ticket Prices
Check out this year’s ticket lineup for Play by Play, The Pav Game awards, Student prices, Pay it forwards and more!
All access pass (general): $230
All access pass (student): $140
Get your tickets before they sell out!
The all-access pass includes access to all NZ Games Festival events.
– The Play by Play conference
– The Pavs game awards
– All festival events include – Treat and Greet, PB and Jam, JoyPad, Level Up, and more! (Registration may be required for these events)
Need an extra ticket to the Pavs:
(general): $70 / (Student): $55
A ticket to the Pavs gives you a fantastic night of gameful entertainment as we award and celebrate Aotearoa’s best games!
Apply for Fair Play 2025
Fair Play is Play by Play's own empowerment programme, helping under-represented and under-resourced people in our industry enjoy the same opportunities as others.
Introducing our Keynote Speakers
Sam Cook
Taikawa Tamati-Elliffe
Announcing our 2025 Speakers
Vee Pendergast – Decoding CODE NZ – A brief view of Industry Development
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
Tana Tanoi – A love letter to photomodes
GAME DESIGN
Check out the Play by Play Schedule
Alongside the Play by Play Conference, we also have a selection of events as part of the wider NZ Game Festival.
Check out the events below for more game-time!
The Pavs
The Pavs Game Awards are a celebration of ANZ’s best and boldest game development achievements.
Event Dates and Times
Date: Friday 2nd May 2025
Time: 7pm
Ticket Prices
Tickets to the Pav’s are included in your All-access pass, or you can purchase a ticket separately.
Regular – $70 / Student $55
Treat ‘n’ Greet
Treat & Greet is to provides Play by Play attendees with a fun, safe, and delicious environment to make new friends and catch up with old ones.
Event Dates and Times
Date: Thursday 1st May
Time: 6:30pm – 9pm 2025
Ticket Prices
Free with an all-access pass
JoyPad
Celebrating the overlap of the LGBTQIA+ community and gaming. JOYPAD is a casual social evening in The Library’s Games Room.
Event Dates and Times
Date: Tuesday 29th April 2025
Time: 6.30pm – 9pm
Ticket Prices
Free! Registration required
PB & Jam
This 48 hour game jam will see crews both big and small assembling quickfire games that show their unique take on a hidden theme.
Event Dates and Times
Start Date: Friday 25th April – Sunday 27th April 2025
Start Time: 6pm – 6pm
Ticket Prices
Free! Registration required
Level Up Exhibition
Retromania
Retromania will be a tribute to the golden era of arcades and a celebration of New Zealand’s vibrant and talented gaming community, which has flourished thanks to its influence.
Event Dates and Times
Between: Thursday 1st – Friday 2nd May 2025
Ticket Prices
Free public event
Super Quiz Night
Super Quiz bros is a casual pub quiz themed around video game trivia. Each year 20 teams compete in 7 rounds to be crowned as the most knowledgeable gamers in New Zealand.
Event Dates and Times
Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Time: 6.30pm – 10pm
Ticket Prices
$30 per team, minimum team of 3 people
Level Up Exhibition
Cream of the Crop
The Level Up Cream of the Crop exhibition celebrates the amazing Pav’s game award finalists for 2025. Bring the family to play these showcase games at this free event.
Event Dates and Times
Between: Saturday 26th April – Friday 2nd May 2025
Ticket Prices
Free event
Level Up Workshop
Gameathon
Join us for the “Level Up Gameathon” at Massey, proudly hosted by Tūhura Tech and sponsored by Massey University. This exciting two-day event is designed for secondary and tertiary students eager to dive into the world of game development. This event is only available to school or tertiary students.
Event Dates and Times
Between: Wednesday 23rd – Thursday 24th April 2025
Ticket Prices
Free! Registration required