The UTS Playmakers Student Society brought their A-game to this year’s SMASH! (Sydney Manga and Anime Show), proudly representing the UTS Games community with incredible energy, creativity, and passion.

Held annually in Sydney, SMASH! is one of Australia’s largest conventions dedicated to Japanese pop culture, spanning anime, manga, gaming, cosplay, and more. The event draws thousands of fans, artists, and creators from across the country — making it a fantastic platform for students to showcase their work and connect with like-minded communities.

Across the weekend, Playmakers members ran interactive games, demoed student-made projects, and engaged with fans and industry professionals — all while offering a glimpse into what studying game development at UTS is all about.

“The booth had such a fun, welcoming vibe — you could really see the passion in everything they did,” said one attendee.

From polished game showcases to hands-on experiences, the Playmakers team created an unforgettable presence that stood out on the convention floor. Their hard work, team spirit, and dedication were truly inspiring — and we couldn’t be prouder.

Special Thanks

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the SMASH! Convention organisers for welcoming us into such a vibrant and passionate community of fans and creators. Events like these are essential in connecting students with the broader creative industry and culture.

A special thank you as well to MSI Australia and New Zealand for generously supporting our booth with high-performance gaming laptops and equipment — your technology helped our games shine.

Image Gallery