rAge 2025 puts South African creators front and centre

When rAge hits Fourways Mall, Level 8, December 5 to 7, 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 support for local talent with a turbocharged Artist Alley and Home_Coded experience that is louder, prouder, and geekier than ever before.

With 56 stalls, the Legion Events Artist Alley is back and bursting with handcrafted brilliance. Fans can explore original art, cosplay accessories, indie comics, handmade merchandise, quirky gifts, and all things geek-chic.

Step inside and you’ll find everything from fan art and manga to pop-culture canvas prints, dice trays, art-branded mousepads, and geeky rugs. Whether it’s a tattoo of a favourite character — permanent or temporary — a signed local comic, or a pair of kitty ears for a headset, Artist Alley has it all.

On the outer edge, a festival of fandoms awaits: steampunk-inspired trinkets, crochet creatures, rompers, custom jewellery, and hand-sculpted figures. This year also introduces The Streamer Selfie Booth - a spot where local streamers can sign their @handle on the wall and snap a picture for social media.

“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.”

New features this year include a tattoo artist booth and on-trend permanent jewellery. Fans can also discover The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook tucked between canvas prints and TTRPG accessories. It promises to be a whirlwind of creativity, community, and character.

While Artist Alley showcases South Africa’s illustrators and crafters, Home_Coded celebrates local game developers. This zone brings together indie developers with playable builds, live demos, and exclusive sneak peeks. From board games with tech smarts to full-scale digital adventures, Home_Coded is a proudly South African playground for players, industry professionals, and emerging creators.

Highlights include ToTheMoon!, a tap-to-play crypto investment board game built by a Johannesburg couple. “Think Monopoly meets the blockchain,” the event notes. Players navigate a physical board using a mobile app, with NFC cards triggering crypto events in real time, a fast-paced, hilarious investment rollercoaster with no spreadsheets.

Another standout is Mighty Peckers by Slakkedis Studios, a multiplayer party platformer where chickens with explosive eggs battle in chaotic arenas. Players choose from ten egg classes, power up, and compete in fully customisable 8-player showdowns. The game is playable at rAge ahead of its 2026 Steam release.

Also debuting, is the 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 with adaptive enemies. Accessing the beta requires picking up a copy of the OMEN prequel comic, available at Sigma’s booth (H3 & H6). “Storytelling meets gameplay? Yes please,” the organisers note.

Home_Coded also hosts Jam Arcade @ rAge 2025, led by Women in Games Ambassador Ronica Singh. This interactive showcase spotlights games developed during the Women Game Jam (WGJ) and Game Jam+ (GJ+) South Africa. First-time creators, especially women and youth, demo their games, interact with players, and share their journey. The space also features Kamo’s Podcast, highlighting women in gaming and digital media.

Artist Alley and Home_Coded are central to the expo's identity - an event built by locals, for locals, giving South African talent the stage it deserves. From handcrafted keychains to never-before-seen video games, these zones showcase the creativity, passion and stories.