Show Your Game at gamescom dev 2026

The gamescom dev indie competition

Are you working on an indie game and looking for a way to get it in front of publishers, investors, and other developers?

The indie expo at gamescom dev conference offers selected teams the opportunity to showcase their projects as part of the official conference program.

Through the indie competition, 24 teams will receive a sponsored booth and access to one of the industry’s key networking environments.

What’s on offer

Selected teams get:

• A fully equipped indie booth (including TV and seating)

• Electricity for your setup

• Visibility through gamescom dev channels

• Access to the “Pitch It” session

• Consideration for the indie award

• 1 Business Pass and 1 Content Pass

• A reduced booth price of €299 (standard price €1,499)

Teams are expected to bring their own hardware (computers, controllers, etc.) and ensure that at least one team member is present at the booth during opening hours.

Who should apply

This opportunity is aimed at teams that:

• Are a registered company (student teams can apply if there is a clear plan to establish a company, with supporting material such as a pitch deck)

• Do not yet have a publisher attached

• Have a playable build (at least at alpha stage; prototypes are not eligible)

• Can provide gameplay footage

As always, diverse teams and perspectives are encouraged to apply.

Timeline

• Submission deadline: April 30, 2026

• Review period: May 1–10, 2026

• Notifications: by May 13, 2026

• Event dates: August 24–25, 2026

Selected teams will have one week to confirm participation by completing payment. If a spot is not confirmed in time, it will be offered to another applicant.

How to apply

You can find all the details and submit your project here: https://dev.gamescom.global/conference/indies/

Expo Gamers: Call for Indies

The European indie developer community is invited to take part in Expo Gamers 2026, taking place in the coastal city of Opatija from May 29–30.

Positioned as one of the Adriatic region’s key gaming industry events, Expo Gamers brings together developers, publishers, and players for two days of showcases, talks, and networking. Registrations are currently open for the Indie Zone, offering independent studios an opportunity to present their projects to both consumer and business audiences.

Why attend Expo Gamers 2026?
This year’s edition marks a step toward a more international focus. The speaker lineup includes representatives from major studios such as Larian Studios, Electronic Arts, and Supercell. The program also features appearances from the original voice cast of Baldur's Gate 3. A full speaker lineup and program details are available at www.expogamers.com.

In addition, partnerships with MeetToMatch, Women in Games, and The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) help position the event as a space for both business development and creative exchange.

Indie Zone opportunities
The Indie Zone is designed to support independent teams looking for visibility and connections. The package includes:

• Exhibition space with a dedicated station, PC setup, and branded backdrop

• Access to publishers and investors through MeetToMatch

• Visibility among 3,000+ attendees, including media and industry scouts

• Networking opportunities with experienced developers, mentors, and studio representatives

• Discounted tickets at €145 per person, including full access to talks and networking events

Studios interested in showcasing their projects are encouraged to apply soon. Availability is limited, and only a small number of Indie Zone spots remain.

Application details: www.expogamers.com/indie

Expo Gamers 2026 offers an opportunity to connect with the broader European and international games industry in a relaxed coastal setting. The organizers are also available to support participating teams with travel and accommodation logistics.

For indie developers considering a spring event, Opatija provides both a professional platform and a distinctive backdrop on the Adriatic coast.

Game Submissions for the Digital Vikings Awards Are Open

The Digital Vikings Awards are back at DevGAMM Gdańsk – and submissions are officially open! 📮

This is your chance to showcase a game and stand alongside the strongest dev teams from the Baltic region. If your game is ready to be seen by experts, apply before May 7 and get the opportunity to win one of the prestigious awards, announced at DevGAMM Gdansk, June 18-19, 2026.

The following countries are eligible to participate: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Poland, and Ukraine.

Here’s what’s waiting for you in Gdansk:
Digital Vikings Awards: Compete with the best developers from the Baltic region.
Game Showcase: Highlight your game, connect with publishers, and get feedback.
Public Pitch with publishers on a jury and a live audience.
Steam Event: Get featured in the special selection from the show.
Apply by March 13 March 27 to get featured and get an extra spotlight on Steam for your title.

Submit your game now: https://devgamm.fillout.com/gdansk2026

Finland Game Talent Fair debuts in Helsinki on April 23

Finland Game Talent Fair debuts in Helsinki on April 23, convening AI, investment, and talent to align on emerging tech and Indie showcase. 

The first-ever Finland Game Talent Fair will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Helsinki City Hall (Pohjoisesplanadi 11–13), bringing together AI experts, investors, game industry professionals, and indie studios for an onsite day focused on industry alignment around emerging technology especially how AI is reshaping production, creativity, and the business of games. 

Organized by Games Factory Talents, the event’s content centers on AI in games and investment decision-making, paired with an indie studios showcase and structured networking designed to connect the people building, funding, and scaling the next wave of game technology. 

What to expect

Attendees can expect a focused, practical program that includes:

• Expert perspectives on AI usage in the game industry today 

• Insights into what investors and publishers look for when choosing games to publish or invest in 

• Participating companies will have mini stands that attendees can network with. 

• An indie studios game showcase, so you can try out their games and discuss about their open roles. 

• Careers Zone matches attendees with career opportunities and gives chance for face to face interviews with the hiring companies in a dedicated room. 

• Individual CV and Portfolio reviews with industry professionals. 

AI in Games 

“AI in games doesn’t have to be a threat to creative work… The best studios treat AI like any other tool: clear rules, ethical sourcing, respect for IP, and human ownership of creative decisions,” the event organizers note, alongside a statement from Ikka Paananen of Supercell: “AI will boost games not break them.” (Financial Times)

Attendance is limited and registration is required.

Registration to the event is required. There will be only 350 places available, so there is a chance you will not be admitted to attend. Register your ticket in advance on the website. 

Careers Zone offers an opportunity for attendees who are actively looking for a job to create a job seeker profile and book face to face interviews at a dedicated spot at the event. 

Game Talent Fair will feature the presentation of the Great Place to Work in Games Award, handed out onsite a moment dedicated to recognizing a Finnish games company that stands out for how it builds and sustains a great workplace culture, and to spotlight the people practices that help teams thrive as the industry navigates rapid technological change. 

https://gamesfactorytalents.com/game-talent-fair-finland-2026

Get 20% off tickets to Expo Gamers in Croatia

The international games industry event Expo Gamers will take place May 29–30, 2026 in Opatija, Croatia, bringing together developers, publishers, investors and players for a hybrid conference and expo focused on the Adriatic and Balkan markets.

Originally launched as a consumer-focused event with a small business track, the conference has grown into a gathering attracting established industry professionals and expanding business activity. Held on the Croatian coast, it combines a curated conference program with a public-facing exhibition. Organizers expect more than 3,000 attendees, with roughly 40% industry professionals and 60% consumers, creating an environment intended to support both business development and community engagement.

The program includes multiple professional tracks, panels and talks, along with structured networking through the MeetToMatch platform connecting studios with partners and decision-makers across Southeast Europe. The event positions itself as a gateway to regional markets including Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Applications to speak are open via the website:
https://www.expogamers.com/joinprogram

Alongside the industry program, Expo Gamers also features a consumer expo hall, indie showcase and social events designed to encourage informal interaction between developers and players.

Independent developers may apply to showcase their game in the expo area by March 20, 2026. Accepted teams will be eligible for a discounted Indie Ticket priced at €145.
https://www.expogamers.com/indie

More information about the event and participation details can be found at:
https://www.expogamers.com

IGDA Finland members receive a 20% discount using the promo code 1GD4*EXPO when registering.