IGDA Melbourne Monthly Meetup May 2026
A night for Melbourne’s game developer community to meet, connect and play on the second Tuesday of each month (excluding October). Folks are welcome from all areas of game dev, with any level of experience. Chat with programmers, designers, producers and more over a pint or meal - and make new connections within the community.
Join our newsletter, check out our website or jump into the Discord server to stay updated on news and events.
✨THIS MONTH✨
The event is at Mission To Seafarers Victoria, so If it's your first time heading there, directions and venue details are listed further down.
For those returning, keep in mind the Games Showcase will be presented in The Dome area - not the Celia Room!

MAY TALK
WHO IS MAKING THE POLICIES FOR GAMES?
Federal cultural policy may feel removed from the day-to-day of making games, but it shapes the funding, priorities, and opportunities available to our sector. Games are often championed by our government and industry bodies when a Game does well, or when they want the younger generations vote, but the decisions being made for us are often an afterthought, and without a developer in the room. With consultation now open on Australia’s National Cultural Policy, this is an important moment for us to make sure our voices are heard.
AMY MCNICKLE
Amy McNickle is a creative industries strategist working across games, music, screen and comedy. She is Game Audio Advisor for the Victorian Music Development Office, Curator of High Score Game Audio Conference, and Financial Manager at Haven't You Done Well Productions. With experience in industry development, research and federal incentives, Amy brings a practical perspective on how policy decisions shape opportunities for game developers.
⏱️If you are arriving after 7pm, please limit noise as you enter the Main Hall. If you are not attending the talk, please move to one of the other spaces in the venue.
🕒 DURATION / VENUE AREAS
Meetup schedule is as follows:
- 6.30pm- Meetup starts: bar is open, games are ready to play in the Dome!
- 7.00pm- Talk begins
- 7.30pm- Talk concludes - return to mingling!
- 8.30pm onwards- Games Showcase begins to wind down. Bar service will continue until the venue closes between 10pm ~ 10.30pm
For the evening we will have access to the Main Hall, Beer Garden (courtyard/rear garden) and Dome (showcase space), but please be respectful of any other patrons who are sharing the space.

Smokers/vapers please abide by any venue signage in place.
🍔 FOOD / DRINK
MtSV does not serve food, but welcomes BYO meals and allows you to order food to the venue. The bar has affordable beer, spirits, wine and non-alcoholic options - eg. $10 for a pint of Coopers.
Your ticket includes a drink token which you can redeem at the bar; please check your ticket type and have it ready to scan at the front entrance on arrival.
Note: Please be respectful and clear any takeaway containers/mess into a bin after you've finished.
🗺️ HOW TO GET THERE

Mission to Seafarers Victoria building.
Address: 717 Flinders Street, Docklands
Nearby Public Transport:
- Stop 124 - Batman Park/Spencer St - Tram Routes: 12, 96, 109 (Wheelchair accessible)
- Stop D5 - South Wharf/Wurundjeri Way - Trams Routes: 70, 75, 30 (Wheelchair accessible)
- Southern Cross Station/Collins St bus stop (Bus Route: 235)
Walking Options:
- 7 -10 minute walk from Southern Cross (via Collins St & Batman Hill Dr OR Spencer & Flinders Sts)
- 20 minute walk down Flinders St from Flinders Street station
Parking:
- Care Park, 671 Siddeley St, Docklands - $14 p/hr

Map view of a possible tram/walking route from Southern Cross station.

Map view of tram/walking route from Flinders Street station.
🚪 VENUE ENTRANCES
Front - Main entrance steps via Docklands Hwy / State Route 30
Side - Accessible entrance via Siddeley Street side gate, past the garden. If using this entrance, please head to the foyer near the front to get your ticket scanned.

Map view of the two entrances to Mission to Seafarers Victoria.
📝 SHOWCASE SIGNUP
Want to add your game to our monthly showcase?
Fill out the 2026 form here.
The Showcase is a great way to get playtesting feedback and advice from other devs and practice sharing your game in a safe space. Use the time to ask for advice, solve problems, practice presenting or just stress-test your game!)
We love to receive submissions for anything of the following in development:
- Prototypes
- Alpha builds
- Vertical slices
- Paper prototypes
- Board/card/TTRPGs, social games
We share news & updates on our Discord or our newsletter, so make sure to sign up to keep an eye on upcoming games, changes or important announcements.
If you have any questions, reach out to showcase@igdamelbourne.au, or in the general chat on the IGDAM Discord.
❓ QUESTIONS
If you have any questions or feedback feel free to reach out to us on the IGDAM Discord server, or if you have specific questions on the following, email us at:
hello@igdamelbourne.au - General enquiries
showcase@igdamelbourne.au - Showcase-related questions/feedback
venue@igdamelbourne.au - Venue-specific questions & meetup info
talk@igdamelbourne.au - Submit your talks here
Or chat to one of the volunteers at the event!
We look forward to seeing you there. 💜
A friendly reminder, please do not attend the event if you feel unwell, and mask up where you can for the safety of other patrons.
Please respect the health and safety of our community.
Join our newsletter, check out our website or jump into the Discord server to stay updated on news and events.