In the dim glow of computer screens, surrounded by sketches, code, and the hum of creative energy, Ditte Wad Andersen brings stories to life via gaming – one pixel at a time. Last week, her dedication and imagination were celebrated on the red carpet of SAGE 2026 – the South Australian Game Exhibition – where Ditte, the state’s only solo female game developer, was crowned winner of the prestigious Best in Exhibition Award for her game The Troll & the Witch’s House.
The accolade, presented by the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), carries a $2,000 prize and recognises the most outstanding game on show, celebrating innovation, originality, quality, and ambition. For Ditte, it was more than a personal triumph – it was a landmark moment for representation in a local games industry that, like much of tech, is still striving for gender balance.
Operating under her studio name, Little Bandit, Ditte developed The Troll & the Witch’s House entirely on her own. It’s a point-and-click adventure set within a mysterious, intricately drawn house, where players unravel hidden stories and solve puzzles to escape. Every character, every animation, and every whimsical corner of the game carries Ditte’s singular vision, blending folklore-inspired storytelling with hand-drawn artistry. In a field dominated by teams of developers, Ditte’s solo effort is a testament to both her skill and her unwavering creative drive.
“This award recognises the power of individuality,” says Neil Rennison, Acting Game Development Executive at SAFC and Jury Chair for SAGE. “Ditte’s game stood out for its creative ambition and technical excellence. It’s inspiring to see such talent emerging from South Australia.”
SAGE 2026 was a celebration of local ingenuity and ambition, attracting more than 3,700 developers, players, and fans over its two-day showcase at Adelaide Studios. Now in its fourth year and presented as a pre-festival activation within the Adelaide Fringe, SAGE has grown into the state’s premier platform for game development. For Ditte, the festival offered a rare moment to meet fellow creators, share her process, and see players engage with her world firsthand – a moment she describes as both exhilarating and humbling.
Ditte’s victory comes amidst a record-breaking year for the South Australian games scene. From emerging studios like Omni Games, who won the SAGE Elevate Award, to the internationally acclaimed Team Cherry, creators are pushing boundaries and earning recognition on a global scale. Yet Ditte’s success is particularly resonant: she is not only carving out space for herself in a male-dominated industry, but she is also inspiring other women who aspire to bring their stories and visions to life through games.
Her journey is a reminder that innovation often thrives in solitude, in the quiet hours spent sketching characters, debugging code, and imagining worlds that no one else has seen before. Ditte’s story also underscores the importance of platforms like SAGE, which amplify diverse voices and highlight the richness of South Australia’s creative talent.
As the lights dimmed on the gala, and the applause faded, Ditte reflected on what the award meant: “Winning Best in Exhibition feels surreal. It’s validation of all the late nights, the trial and error, and the belief that a single person’s vision can resonate with others. I hope it encourages more women to step into game development, to create fearlessly, and to know that their ideas matter.”
In an industry that is evolving as rapidly as the games themselves, Ditte Wad Andersen is not just a developer; she is a trailblazer. With a keen eye for detail, a love for storytelling, and the courage to work solo in a crowded field, she has proven that passion and perseverance can create worlds that captivate, challenge, and inspire.
For the players navigating The Troll & the Witch’s House, the puzzles and secrets are thrilling. For Ditte, the real adventure has only just begun.
