Winter is a time to curl up inside, but the evolution of electronic games means it is more exciting than ever to spend a day indoors.
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Technology and game fans will have another option to satisfy their competitive nature as they explore the evolution of electronic gaming from 'retro' Gameboys and handheld consoles to the latest in immersive technologies including augmented and virtual reality at the City of Ballarat's inaugural Winteractive Arcade.
The Winteractive Arcade, part of the Ballarat Winter Festival, will also feature augmented artwork and fashion, including work from fashion designer Nixi Killick whose clients include Lady Gaga and Sia.
Visitors can download an app on arrival (or before they leave home) and point their smart phones toward the art and fashion to bring artwork to life. The same app can be used to explore larger scale artworks with augmented reality that will be spread across the city.
The Winteractive Arcade will also be home to an e-sport tournament featuring Drone Legion, created in Ballarat by Dark Shadow Studio.
"Local people can come in to the Winteractive Arcade and have a chance to do something here in stead of driving somewhere else. It's great to have something like this in our own backyard," said Dark Shadow chief executive Casey Thomas.
"We'll hold the e-sports tournament over the two weekends, playing Drone Legion, and the fastest time wins some really cool prizes."
Ms Thomas said the event would also highlight different career pathways in gaming technology.
"There's not only game design and production, but commentating, hosting, live streaming ... so many different options. The younger generation these days have grown up having electronics available to them on phones, watches, and we can put them in an environment they're already comfortable in and expose them more to the world of e-sport video games."
City of Ballarat events manager Kate Joss said the arcade would expose people to the fusion of art and new technology, as well as the gaming landscape.
"We'll have the very latest technology Tilt Brush where you can create art using 3D virtual reality technology," she said.
"People can book in to a session to create their own Tilt Brush artwork - the theme is build a snowman - and there will be prizes for the best."
There will also be a giant game of multiplayer Snake, old-school arcade machines and consoles, and more.
Ms Joss said the Winteractive Arcade aligned with the Ballarat Events Strategy goal of developing new experiences hand-in-hand with local businesses to develop a uniquely Ballarat flavour.
The Winteractive Arcade will run on June 29-30 and July 13-14 at the Ballarat Mining Exchange. Buy tickets online. Adults $10, child aged 6-16 $5, under six free.
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