In an electrifying new collaboration, Awesome Black and Powerhouse are joining forces to elevate the way we do First Nations creativity and storytelling through videogames. This groundbreaking collaboration aims to supercharge the Australian games industry with a dynamic two-year project featuring creative learning programs, events, industry growth, and skill development.
Empowering First Nations Creatives
Since its inception by Travis DeVries in 2020, Awesome Black has been a forerunner in generating opportunities for First Nations creatives to shine in the arts, digital, and creative industries. Now, in collaboration with Powerhouse and TAFE NSW, we’re rolling out a free Creative Studio Workshop during school holidays. This workshop, laser-focused on game creation, is tailored for high school students and emerging game makers in 2024, and will soon become a staple of the Lang Walker Family Academy program at Powerhouse Parramatta.
Supporting Skill Development and Industry Connections
Powerhouse will bolster Awesome Black’s learning and skill development by linking us with industry partners and providing invaluable mentoring opportunities. This support extends to attending key conferences, courses, and workshops, ensuring the successful delivery of our first videogame, “Fear of a Blak Planet,” an innovative exploration of re-Indigenising Australia. Stay tuned for more updates on this soon!
Showcasing First Nations Talent
Upon release, Awesome Black and Powerhouse will host an industry-centric event to showcase “Fear of a Blak Planet,” alongside a compelling documentary chronicling the game’s development and the First Nations creatives who made it possible.
A Shared Vision
Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah shared her enthusiasm: “Powerhouse is thrilled to collaborate with Awesome Black and integrate videogames into our programming. This is an exciting opportunity to highlight the cultural significance of videogames and their potential to deliver new and complex ideas in an accessible and interactive way.”
Awesome Black Founder Travis DeVries reflected on the partnership: “Awesome Black is absolutely blown away to have our work in the video game development space recognised in this way. This opportunity builds the foundation for cementing our creative output as works of cultural significance both now and in the future. Such achievements are only possible through collaboration and industry support. Having the Powerhouse join us as a partner on this project is an honor we did not foresee when we started.”
Ben Armstrong, Head of Gaming at Awesome Black, exclaimed, “My first reaction was ‘Ouss Ouss!’ (hell yeah) and a huge thank you to the invaluable work that Chloe put into listening to me, seeing us, helping us see the importance of what we are creating in a new way, and advocating for First Nations space in the digital games. This partnership is significant because Chloe and the team at the Powerhouse are authentic in their support of First Nations people, the digital games industry in NSW, and creating ways for people to enjoy, learn, and explore the wonderful world of digital games.”
Powerhouse Games Curator Chloe Appleby added, “Supporting and championing the growing NSW games community to create unique stories and support knowledge sharing has been an important driving force for the work we are doing at Powerhouse. I am thrilled that this initiative with Awesome Black will not only create opportunities for mentorship within the team for the development of their game but empower young creatives in learning about game creation.”
About Awesome Black
Awesome Black is a dynamic First Nations creative agency dedicated to amplifying Blakfulla voices and stories through creative media and innovative projects. We curate and produce a diverse range of podcasts, writing, digital content, and artistic collaborations that celebrate and elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. Our mission is to work across creative industries, developing cutting-edge game IPs, producing impactful publications, establishing opportunities for collaboration, and cultivating a robust First Nations creative community.
Media Contacts:
Erin Finn | erin.finn@powerhouse.com.au | +61 (0)413 538 276
Michelle Lollo | michelle.lollo@powerhouse.com.au | +61 (0)419 523 735
