Vari, my colleague, recently interviewed me to reflect on my time at GDC 2025.

1. So, what’s GDC all about — and how did STEM Toto end up taking part this year?
   
   The Game Developers Conference is one of the biggest gatherings for game developers globally — a mix of talks, networking, showcases, pitches and just a whole lot of learning and inspiration. I was lucky enough to be selected as part of Screen Australia’s Future Leaders delegation, which was such an honour!

   Before heading to San Francisco, we had a fun and helpful pre-departure meetup in Melbourne where I got to meet the six other brilliant folks in the cohort, our mentors, plus some of the amazing Screen Australia and Screen Victoria staff who were supporting us. Great vibes, overall.

   We travelled with two fantastic team members from Screen Australia — Chad Toprak and Joey Eggers — who were our trusty guides and made sure we all got the most out of our GDC experience. From helping us navigate the chaos to making key introductions, they were instrumental in making the trip what it was. Couldn’t have asked for better champions!

   More on the Future Leaders program here and you can read more about fellow Future Leaders Delegate, JD’s, experience here.

   

   
   
   

2. Which session totally blew your mind… and which one maybe made you nod off a little? 👀
   
   Honestly, I didn’t really have time to get bored — everything was super high energy and really thoughtfully curated. One of my highlights was getting to play around with the alternate controllers, especially this little knitting game that I absolutely loved. 

   I also really enjoyed the IGDA roundtable discussions though I often wished they ran a bit longer. Just as the conversations were getting juicy, time was up! Definitely left me wanting more, in the best way. Lastly, I had a great time at the Aussie Game Showcase on Monday night, which was definitely a highlight!

   
   

   

   
   

3. Did you spot any tech or tools that made you think, “I need this,” or maybe, “Who on earth would use that?”
   
   I got to try out a bunch of alternate controllers, which were all really fun in the moment. Someone casually mentioned they’re all just gimmicks — and while I get where they were coming from, it actually made me reflect on how these kinds of playful setups can help bring people together. There’s something beautiful about gaming as a shared, social experience, not just something we do alone in our rooms. These alt controllers really spark that sense of community and connection — which, to me, is a huge part of what games can and should do.
   
   
   

4. Without naming names…any funny or unexpected moments at the GDC mixers you can share?
   
   There was a running inside joke among a few of us about how hard it is to find fresh fruit and veg during GDC. At one of the mixers, I walked up to a table where a fellow Future Leaders delegate was already chatting with a group. As soon as she saw me, she asked, very seriously, “Have you had a vegetable today?” — because I’d told her I’d trekked out to Chinatown just to get some Chinese broccoli earlier. The rest of the table looked so confused, like… why is this stranger being interrogated about greens? We had a great laugh explaining the joke
   
   
   

5. How did people react to Kamata? Any feedback that really stuck with you — good or constructive?
   
   The reactions were generally pretty neutral — folks were definitely positive about Nia as a character and appreciated the focus on representation and diversity, which was lovely to hear. But I got the sense that the more serious environmental themes didn’t resonate as strongly with everyone. It was useful feedback though, and it gave me a lot to think about in terms of how to communicate the heart of the game while keeping it engaging for a wider audience.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   

6. Tell us about a little San Francisco adventure (or mishap) that made the trip extra memorable!
   
   Definitely exploring new neighbourhoods I hadn’t been to on previous trips — and even revisiting familiar ones but seeing them with fresh eyes. We visited the Muir Woods which were lovely, and when I tried to get some pics of the Golden Gate Bridge, it was completely fogged up. Oh, and I somehow managed to eat tacos every single day… no regrets!
   
   
   

   

   
   

7. What was the coolest piece of swag you scored — and did you have to battle anyone to get it?

   Surprisingly, I didn’t pick up any swag! How boring!
   
   

8. Okay, be honest: if we blew a raspberry every time you met another African woman or gender-diverse game dev at GDC, how many would we be blowing?

   
   ZERO!
   
   

9. Now that you’ve seen the latest trends at GDC, why do you think this is the perfect moment for investors to back Kamata and STEMtoto? What makes them such a standout in today’s gaming world?

   It’s clearer than ever that there’s a huge gap as well as opportunity when it comes to diverse representation in games, even just thinking of myself, my background, where I’ve grown up, where I’ve lived etc. Now take into account the fact that Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, projected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050, with more than a third under the age of 18, and all the unique experiences that they embody that are unrepresented in current games. Kamata and STEMtoto are stepping into that space with bold, creative energy. At the same time, there’s growing demand for games that are not only fun and engaging, but also meaningful, i.e. games that tackle serious themes in ways that feel light, accessible, and emotionally resonant.

   What we’re building sits at the intersection of play, learning, identity, and empowerment, especially for players in the Global South. There’s still so little research and investment in these areas, and even less when it comes to understanding the complex, gendered dimensions of gaming. That’s where STEMtoto stands out: yes, we’re making games, but we’re also creating playful experiences rooted in research, cultural storytelling, and a vision for more inclusive futures. This feels like a “moment of momentum” and with the right support, we can help shape what the next generation of meaningful games looks like.