11 August 2026 – The IGEA team is proud to announce the launch of the GCAP 2026 conference program and ticket sales. IGEA invites game developers, studios, publishers, educators, service providers, screen practitioners, and emerging creators from across Australia and around the world to join us for one of the region’s leading games industry events. GCAP will be held from 5-7 October 2026 during Melbourne International Games Week.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, GCAP returns with an ambitious program which aims to strengthen the games sector by connecting developers and their teams with the knowledge, technical skills and meaningful business relationships their studios need to succeed.
GCAP 2026 gives attendees the chance to:
- Hear directly from leading local and international games industry experts
- Discover emerging trends, technologies and creative practices
- Connect with peers, mentors, partners and potential collaborators
- Build new relationships to expand career and business opportunities
- Celebrate the achievements of Australian game developers, teams and studios at The Australian Game Developer Awards (The AGDAs)
The GCAP 2026 schedule will feature a diverse lineup of industry leaders, innovators and creators including:
Gregory Louden, Creative Director for Housemarque
Gregory Louden is an Australian, Helsinki based award winning Creative Director at Housemarque and Convict Games. Gregory started his career in feature animation and visual effects working on “Legend of the Guardians”, “Sucker Punch”, “Happy Feet 2”, “Prometheus”, “World War Z”, “Jack the Giant Slayer” and was part of the Academy Award, VES and BAFTA winning VFX team on “Gravity”.
From blockbuster films, Gregory started his games experience at Remedy working with Level Design and Narrative Design on “Quantum Break” and helping kick off “Control”. Along with leading the design and story on “Downward Spiral: Horus Station” at 3rd Eye Studios and creating “STONE” and “BURN” at Convict Games.
Today, Gregory is Creative Director at Housemarque where he directed PlayStation Studios’ SAROS. Previously at Housemarque Gregory was Narrative and Cinematic Director on the Game Award, DICE and BAFTA winning, Returnal.
Samantha Low, Co-Founder at Southeast Asian Games Showcase, Consultant at Goldpact Goblins, Publishing Director at Neon Noroshi/Yotsuba Interactive
Samantha Low is a publishing director and narrative designer. She brings both business acumen and creative flair to her work consulting for indie developers and to her passion, crafting personal stories in games. Low is best known for her work championing indie games from Southeast Asia and Japan. In 2025, she co-founded the Southeast Asian Games Showcase, the first global showcase for the region to partner with Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest. In 2023, she was inducted into The Game Awards Future Class.
Amanda Farough, Director of Production at Causeway Studios, Executive Producer and Writer at Strange Scaffold
Amanda (Manda) Farough is an award-nominated Canadian Multiclasser whose expertise spans multiple disciplines, including production, narrative, programming, design, business, and operations. She has worked in the game industry in a variety of capacities for over 17 years.
Manda serves as the Director of Production at Causeway Studios, where she contributes her skills as a narrative designer, writer, programmer, and business strategist. She has worked at Strange Scaffold since 2022, shipping Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World?! (2026), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown (2025), and Sunshine Shuffle (2023) as executive producer and writer. Manda has also contributed to both Terrible Lizards (2026) and GNAW (unannounced) as Principal Writer.
In addition to her game development roles, Manda is co-host and producer of the Virtual Economy podcast since its inception in 2020 and a published author of the Digital Playgrounds book series with Dr. Rachel Kowert (Psychgeist).
In her off hours, Manda is mom of four incredible humans and two wonderful dogs. Chances are when she’s not working, she’s likely in her garden or spending time with her family.
High Fidelity: Designing and Refining Mixtape
One night. One last adventure. One Keynote. Join some of the team from Beethoven & Dinosaur as they discuss and dissect their processes, work and ethos behind creating the critically acclaimed Mixtape.
Featuring:
- Johnny Galvatron: Creative Director
- Geordie Hall: Senior Programmer
- Harry Truman: 3D/Environment Artist
- Joe Toole: Principal Animator
- Lily Pagalis-Jackson: Animator
- Mariska Harasymiw: Character Artist
Hosted by Creative Director Johnny Galvatron, we’ll bring you a mixtape of insights, tales and techniques from the developers who brought you one of the highest rated games of the year, worldwide. From tools, tech art, lighting, animation and Devo on repeat, come and join us for a journey into the magic behind Mixtape.
The full conference schedule can be found here.
Tickets for GCAP 2026 are now on sale and we encourage you to secure your place early,
To celebrate GCAP’s 20th year anniversary, IGEA is giving away 20 free GCAP Assist tickets to facilitate GCAP access for under-represented and/or marginalised communities from across the Australian games industry. To learn more and apply, click here.
In 2026, the Australian Game Developer Awards (The AGDAs) will be celebrated in a new format. The AGDAs will be held at GCAP on the Wednesday afternoon, with networking and catering either side of the ceremony. More details will be provided about the AGDAs shortly.
About GCAP
Game Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP) is Australia’s longest-running professional development conference for game developers and interactive entertainment professionals. GCAP brings together local and international industry leaders, creators and businesses to share knowledge and expertise, foster collaboration and support the Australian games industry and broader region.
