rAge 2025 PUTS SOUTH AFRICAN CREATORS FRONT AND CENTRE
When rAge hits Fourways Mall Level 8 from 5 to 7 December, one thing is clear: the heartbeat of the expo is the people. The makers. The dreamers. The coders. The artists. This year, South Africa’s favourite celebration of gaming and geek culture doubles down on its commitment to supporting homegrown talent with a turbocharged Artist Alley and Home_Coded experience that’s louder, prouder, and geekier than ever before.
With a whopping 56 stalls the Legion Events Artist Alley is back and bursting with handcrafted brilliance. This is the ultimate treasure trove for fans of original art, cosplay accessories, indie comics, handmade merchandise, quirky gifts, and all things geek-chic.
Step inside and you’ll find everything from original fan art and manga to pop-culture canvas prints, dice trays, art-branded mousepads, and geeky rugs. Whether you’re looking for a tattoo of your favourite character (permanent or temporary — yes, that’s a thing), a signed local comic, or even a pair of kitty ears for your headset, this is the place.
On the outer edge? It’s a festival of fandoms. Steampunk-inspired trinkets, crochet creatures, rompers, custom jewellery (permanently attached if you dare), and hand-sculpted figures all wait to be discovered. This year, the alley also adds The Streamer Selfie Booth — a fun pitstop where local streamers can sign their @handle on the wall and snap a pic for the feed.
“The Artist Alley is more than just a marketplace,” says Nadja Durbach, the creative force behind Legion Events. “It’s a hub of local artistry, a space to meet creators, request custom commissions, and walk away with something no one else in the world owns. There’s nothing like watching people fall in love with South African art – and artists – right on the floor.”
This year’s new gems? The tattoo artist booth makes its Artist Alley debut, alongside on-trend permanent jewellery. You’ll even find The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook tucked between canvas prints and TTRPG accessories. All in all, it’s a whirlwind of creativity, community, and character.
If Artist Alley is where South Africa’s illustrators and crafters shine, Home_Coded is where our developers (ship the build) drop the mic.
Dedicated to celebrating the country’s indie game scene, this zone brings together the sharpest local developers with fresh, playable builds, live demos, and exclusive sneak peeks. From board games with tech smarts to full-scale digital adventures, it’s a proudly South African playground made for curious players, industry pros, and up-and-coming creators alike.
On the must-play list? ToTheMoon! — a tap-to-play crypto investment boardgame built by a Joburg couple. Think Monopoly meets the blockchain. Armed with a virtual $1,000 and a mobile app, players navigate a physical board while NFC cards trigger wild crypto events. Prices rise, coins crash, and portfolios update in real time, all via your phone. The result? A hilarious, fast-paced investment rollercoaster with no spreadsheets in sight. It’s the future of edutainment, and it’s happening right here.
Another Home_Coded banger? Mighty Peckers by Slakkedis Studios. It’s a multiplayer party platformer where chickens with explosive eggs battle it out in wild arenas. Choose from ten egg classes (landmines, sticky bombs, black holes — you name it), power up, and try not to get blown off the farm. Fully customisable peckers (don’t laugh), cartoony visuals, and chaotic 8-player showdowns make this a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The public playtest is at rAge, ahead of a 2026 Steam release – don’t miss your shot to scramble the leaderboard.
Also dropping hard at rAge? The debut beta of OMEN, a dark-fantasy horror-action game by Sigma Studios. Players take on the role of Prince Omen, fighting through a cursed island crawling with adaptive enemies that evolve based on your fighting style. It’s brutal, beautiful, and completely unpredictable. But here’s the twist: to access the game’s beta, you’ll need to pick up a copy of the OMEN prequel comic — available at Sigma’s booth (H3 & H6). The comic is your game key. Storytelling meets gameplay? Yes please.
Also part of the Home_Coded ecosystem is the Jam Arcade @ rAge 2025, hosted by Ronica Singh, Women in Games Ambassador. This interactive showcase puts the spotlight on games developed during two standout game jams: Women Game Jam (WGJ) and Game Jam+ (GJ+) South Africa.
Here, first-time creators — especially women and youth — get to demo their games, interact with players, and share their journey. It’s a collaborative space filled with energy, innovation, and possibility. Expect daily mini-game challenges, meet-and-greets, and stories that inspire. This isn’t just about playing; it’s about building the future of South African game development.
The space will also spotlight Kamo’s Podcast, showcasing women in gaming and digital media, making waves where it counts.
Artist Alley and Home_Coded are key to the rAge DNA – an event built by locals, for locals, and proud to give South African talent the stage it deserves. Whether you’re looking to buy a handcrafted keychain, try a never-before-seen video game, or just connect with creators who get it, these zones deliver the soul, the spark, and the stories that make rAge more than just an expo.
Event Details
- Dates: 5–7 December 2025
- Venue: Fourways Mall, Level 8
- Website: www.rageexpo.co.za
- Buy Tickets: rageexpo.howler.co.za/rAgeExpo25
About rAge Expo:
rAge Expo is South Africa’s must-attend video gaming, technology, esports, and digital entertainment event, held annually in Johannesburg. It brings together a diverse community of gaming and tech enthusiasts for three days of immersive experiences, competitive events, and innovative showcases. www.rageexpo.co.za
SUPPLIED.
