Game On in Flinders Square
Date published: 1 October 2019
Flinders Square is set to become the home of a mega gaming console that will be free for the public to use.
Townsville City Council is working with a NZ-based organisation Gap Filler to bring a giant joystick and over-sized buttons to the screen in Flinders Square.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the games console would be a major attraction for the CBD and make the city more social and playful.
“The whole idea of a giant arcade gaming system in the CBD is to encourage positive interactions and bring some more colour to the city,” Cr Hill said.
“Gap Filler has done this extremely successfully in Christchurch and this gives us a unique and fun way to keep residents and visitors entertained.
“The console will include classic arcade games and Council will also work with local coders to develop some locally inspired games.”
Gap Filler were awarded the contract to deliver the game console during a public tender process and the installation and programming will be completed by locals.
Local Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said Flinders Square is the perfect location for an attraction like a mega games console.
“Flinders Square is in the middle of the CBD surrounded by restaurants, bars and a short walk from Palmer St,” Cr Greaney said.
“With the new stadium opening not far away it’s great that we will have such a fantastic attraction that will entertain everyone of any age.
“The Christchurch console has been a huge success and I’m thrilled to see it coming to Townsville.”
The mega games console will be installed early next year, will be free to play and requires more than one person to use.
For more information and to check out some footage from the Christchurch console, visit: https://gapfiller.org.nz/project/super-street-arcade/
