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BitSummit PUNCH 2026 Announced: Japan’s Largest Indie Game Showcase Returns to Kyoto

Paul Philleo
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BitSummit PUNCH 2026 Announced: Japan’s Largest Indie Game Showcase Returns to Kyoto

The BitSummit Executive Committee has announced the dates and details for BitSummit PUNCH, the 2026 edition of Japan’s largest indie game exhibition. The event will take place at Miyako Messe (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall) from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24, 2026.

BitSummit has grown steadily since its founding in 2013, when it drew 200 attendees. By 2025, the event welcomed over 58,000 visitors, reflecting the increasing global interest in Japan’s independent game development scene. Organized by the Japan Independent Games Association (JIGA) and co-hosted by KYOTO CMEX, BitSummit continues to serve as a platform for developers to connect with both industry professionals and the public.

The 2026 theme, “High Impact,” emphasizes the idea of making a meaningful contribution to the industry using available resources. Organizers hope to highlight games that demonstrate creative focus and passion, regardless of scale or budget.

The event schedule includes a business-only day on Friday, May 22, dedicated to B2B networking among developers, publishers, media, and sponsors. Public access will be available on Saturday and Sunday, May 23–24, allowing general attendees to explore the exhibition and engage with creators.

The BitSummit Executive Committee also announced that exhibitor applications are now open for BitSummit PUNCH. Developers can submit their games for review at a cost of ¥2,750 per title (tax included), with a submission deadline of Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 4:00 PM JST. Approved applicants may then reserve a booth for ¥33,000 (tax included). Student discounts are available, and additional details can be found on the official website.

BitSummit has been featured in publications such as Weekly Famitsu, Dengeki Online, and EDGE, and has been discussed at international events including GDC, IndieCade, and CEDEC. The 2026 edition aims to continue expanding awareness of indie games from Japan and abroad, both online and in person.

For more information, including exhibitor guidelines and press materials, visit bitsummit.org.

Gaming Charity Stack Up Celebrates 10 Years at Geeky Teas and Games on Nov. 1

Paul Philleo
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Gaming Charity Stack Up Celebrates 10 Years at Geeky Teas and Games on Nov. 1

LOS ANGELES – Oct. 29, 2025 – Stack Up, the 501(c)3 military charity dedicated to supporting US and Allied Veterans’ mental health through gaming and working to end the epidemic of veteran suicide, celebrates its 10th anniversary with an in-person fundraising event at Geeky Teas and Games in Burbank, CA, on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 from 12-8 PM PT.

The gaming charity distributes care packages of games, gear, and more to support the mental health of veterans and deployed units. Stack Up has delivered over a quarter of a million game codes, and hosted paid-in-full trips for more than 130 passionate vets to attend gaming and geek culture events. The volunteer team takes great pride in supporting those who have served by providing connection and community via the joy of gaming.

Stack Up has partnered up with some of the biggest names in the video game industry, including AAA publishers Nintendo, Sony, EA, Blizzard, Capcom, among others. Their valued contributions alongside the support of popular streamers such as MadVikingKing, Lord_Zath, Broken_Stoic, Hyf1re, and countless others have helped further propel the organization to its success today.

The devoted foundation actively works to build online communities that provide peer-to-peer support for both physical and mental health. Through initiatives like the The Overwatch Program, the team has provided mental health assistance to over 1,839 vets via peer-based mental health crisis mitigation. Stack Up commits to its promise that no one is left behind in a culture dedicated to healing and togetherness.

Throughout a decade of giving back to the warriors of this country, Stack Up has raised over $7M for veterans. Their work is more important than ever, at a time where vets are losing critical care and services across the United States every day.

“As an organization, we’re incredibly grateful for the support we have been able to provide veterans over the past decade” said Stephen Machuga, Executive Director, Stack Up. “Thanks to the continued backing of donors, content creators, and industry partners, we look forward to the next chapter for Stack Up, and the ways we’ll continue uplifting our community.”

Visit Geeky Teas and Games on Nov. 1, 2025 to join Stack Up in celebration of its anniversary, hosted by GryphonAMX. The event runs from 12-8 PM PT, in Burbank, CA. To learn more about Stack Up, please visit their website at www.stackup.org. To donate directly to Stack Up, please visit Stack Up’s Donation page.

Wonder Festival to Make U.S. Debut at MomoCon 2026 in Atlanta

Paul Philleo
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Wonder Festival to Make U.S. Debut at MomoCon 2026 in Atlanta

Wonder Festival, one of the world’s largest conventions dedicated to figures, garage kits, and model artistry, will make its U.S. debut in May 2026 through a collaboration with Atlanta-based MomoCon. The event, officially titled “Wonder Festival at MomoCon,” will be staged at the Georgia World Congress Center from May 21–24, 2026, marking the first time the Japanese-originated festival has been held in North America.

Founded in 1985, Wonder Festival began as a platform for both professional and amateur creators to showcase and sell handmade model kits. Over four decades, it has grown into a global cultural hub, drawing more than 30,000 attendees in a single day at its flagship Tokyo events. In recent years, the festival has expanded internationally, with editions in Bangkok, Korea, and Shanghai. The Atlanta event represents the next step in this global outreach, aiming to connect Japanese and American creators and fans.

MomoCon, which celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2026, is one of the largest fan conventions in the United States, attracting over 60,000 unique attendees annually. Originating from a student-run anime and gaming club at the Georgia Institute of Technology, it has grown into a major pop culture gathering with a strong emphasis on community and independent exhibitors. Its scale—covering 65,000 square meters and generating more than $43 million in economic impact for Atlanta—makes it a strategic partner for Wonder Festival’s U.S. expansion.

The dedicated Wonder Festival Pavilion within MomoCon will span between approximately 49,500 square feet (4,600 square meters) and just over 100,000 square feet (9,300 square meters). Planned programming includes exhibitions from leading Japanese and international figure manufacturers, sales and showcases by garage kit creators, and exclusive cultural displays. Organizers emphasize that the collaboration will highlight shared values of creativity, craftsmanship, and fan-driven culture, while strengthening cross-cultural ties between Japan and the United States.

To learn more about MomoCon and Wonder Festival (English language), check out their respective link highlights on their names. Events for Gamers will be sure to keep tabs on this event collaboration as the event date approaches!

November 2025 Game Industry Conference and Convention Events Calendar

Mathew Anderson
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November 2025 Game Industry Conference and Convention Events Calendar

We’ve put together another great list of events you can attend for November 2025! As the year starts to wrap up, November is shaping up to be an incredibly busy month with a significant number of conferences, conventions, and educational events. With fall season in full swing, it’s looking crisp and cool at all levels of game industry involvement.

Featured Events

AI and Games Conference (Nov 5-6) kicks things off with a focus on artificial intelligence in gaming, followed by DevGAMM Lisbon and the DevGAMM Awards (Nov 11-13). GeekGirlCon (Nov 8-9) and PAX Unplugged (Nov 21-23) for tabletop gaming enthusiasts are always favorite consumer conventions of ours, and Pocket Gamer Connects Aqaba (Nov 17-18) brings the industry together in a unique location. The month also features one of our favorite high level conferences, GamesBeat Summit Next (Nov 18-19) with discussions on AI and emerging technologies.

This month also has some exciting new events making their debut on our calendar: ThinkyCon (Nov 1-2), a convention celebrating puzzle games and brain teasers; iam8bit 20th Anniversary Art Show (Nov 14-16), commemorating two decades of video game art and culture; and Level UY (Nov 21-22), Uruguay’s premier game development conference bringing together Latin American creators.

There are plenty of conferences and conventions in this month’s lineup to explore. It’s a full calendar, and we can’t wait to see what surprises come out of it all. Many of the conferences listed will also have sessions and discussions about the state of the industry, with particular attention to AI integration and innovation as we head into 2026.

Check out the complete month’s event list below, but first…

Special Offers

We recently launched a new feature on the website – Event Ticket Discounts and Offers. Want to know when your event has a 10% off special or early bird rates open? Check out our Free Offers Page regularly!

Here are the latest offers listed as of this blog post:

Discount Event Code/Link
10% off VGLX (B2C) E4G10
15% off Game Ground (B2C) GG_EFG_PUBLIC_25
20% off MeetToMatch Bangkok (B2B) E4G20
20% off MeetToMatch Tokyo (B2B) E4G20
40% off Mobidictum Conference (B2B) Registration Page
10% off SIGGRAPH Asia (B2B) [SA25E4G10]
11% off WN Events (B2B) [E4G]

Have an offer we can add to this list? Please let us know!

We are also looking for folks who want to get some editorial experience (or just prestige of attending an event) by writing about their event experiences (or simply taking photos showcasing an event you are attending). Let us know if you want to contribute!

This Month’s Events

Many of the listed events are included in the calendar thanks to your contributions in submitting events to the calendar.

Thank you so much for continuing to support us!

We’ve made some additions to the overview, including a new test view of the events right from the calendar itself listed below. Let us know which type of list you prefer.

There are no upcoming events at this time

Visit the main event calendar that includes events throughout the year and beyond.

Which events are you attending this month? Let us know by commenting on this article here or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Bluesky, and Facebook!

Editor: Mathew Anderson, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Events for Gamers, Community Manager for the computer game industry (KingsIsle, Portalarium, Petroglyph), and Public Relations Manager and Communication Specialist for various other industries.

ex-KingsIsle Entertainment Community Manager

GDC Festival of Gaming To Unite Today’s Games Industry and Shape What’s Next

Paul Philleo
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GDC Festival of Gaming To Unite Today’s Games Industry and Shape What’s Next

SAN FRANCISCO – October 23, 2025 – It’s time to change the game. GDC Festival of Gaming will welcome the global B2B games ecosystem to San Francisco in March 2026, marking a bold reimagining and expansion of the world’s premier games industry event.

GDC Festival of Gaming is a transformed event to meet today’s broader, interconnected games industry, bringing together game-makers, publishers, distributors, investors, founders, technologists, toolmakers, marketers, educators, and media in a single week of game-changing connection, discovery, and learning. Built on the storied legacy of the original Game Developers Conference, the debut of GDC Festival of Gaming coincides with the event’s 40th edition. The Festival offers the same market-defining rigor and depth that has long made GDC essential, now amplified with exciting new perspectives and powerful pathways for collaboration across every stage of a game’s lifecycle.

“In a time of great change, we can build walls or build bridges — and the game industry has always thrived by coming together,” said Mark DeLoura, GDC’s Executive Director of Innovation and Growth. “The GDC Festival of Gaming strengthens those connections, celebrating creativity and supporting everyone who brings games to life, from napkin sketch to global launch.”

Informed and inspired by feedback from the community and across the ecosystem, GDC Festival of Gaming is an industry celebration across five days, with nightly activities, and offerings for everyone from all corners of the industry, with redesigned formats that move creativity, businesses and careers forward.

“We are excited to reveal the blueprint for GDC Festival of Gaming, celebrating the vital interconnection between creators, leaders, and partners that drive the industry forward.” said Nina Brown, President of GDC. “This new era is rooted in dialogue with our community. And it’s only the beginning.”

Here’s a peek at what’s new and why it matters:

  • Designed for Networking

The need to connect across the industry is now more critical than ever. Match in the app before you land. Set up time in the lounges. Jump into Speed Networking. Tap the citywide GDC Affiliate Program. Senior leaders can use GamePlan for facilitated, high-intent 1:1s that spark partnerships and deals. GDC Festival of Gaming becomes a can’t-miss hub for meeting the right people and building lasting opportunities.

  • Festival Hall, Reimagined for Discovery

Open Wednesday–Friday, the Hall is organized into five neighborhoods: Game Development, Future Tech, Indie & Education, International, Monetization & Player Engagement. Each features demos, micro-sessions, and places to sit down and talk. Faster paths to your people and your next partner.

  • Unified Content Program Across Five Days

GDC Festival of Gaming offers attendees a full week content journey. Contemporary content design emphasizes cross-disciplinary learning and collaboration, while maintaining GDC’s world-class standard. The new program goes beyond discipline-specific learning for game makers, with content for executives, marketers, independent studios, investors, founders, product managers, performers, external development agencies, and all others who play a role in fueling the interconnected ecosystem. Alongside legendary postmortems, technical sessions and pioneering advocacy, expect interactive content all week that connects disciplines and opens commercial doors through the reimagined summits, specialty series, mixers, workshops, fireside chats, forums, roundtables and demos.

  • GamePlan (invite-only; Game Changer Pass required)

The Festival’s deal engine. Brings qualified executives, decision-makers, and innovators together for pre-scheduled, facilitated 1:1 meetings that move business forward, building new customer and partner relationships, reconnecting with key contacts, generating leads, pitching ideas, exploring funding, evaluating emerging tech, and engaging with media.

  • Luminaries Speaker Series (requires Game Changer Pass)

A three-day, executive-level program at the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, delivered by influential voices across games and adjacent industries. Strategy over tactics for leaders setting portfolios, roadmaps, and budgets.

  • GDC Nights

Every night, Monday-Thursday, the Festival delivers a true celebration of our industry, including an Opening Night Social Mixer, Austin Wintory’s Developer’s Concert, the Independent Games Festival (IGF) Awards, and the Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA). Music, mixers, and shared moments that keep the conversation – and the community – going all week.

  • New Pass Structure, More Value:

    • Festival Pass — Full week access to world-class sessions, Festival Hall, networking programs, and nightly celebrations – at a price 45% lower than 2025’s All-Access.

    • Game Changer Pass — Everything in our Festival Pass, plus premium seating and lounges, fast-track entry to keynotes/concerts/awards, access to the Luminaries Speaker Series, eligibility for GamePlan, and GDC Vault access.

    • Digital Pass — Online-only networking during the event and on-demand GDC Vault access after.

    • Application-based options – Support for early stage indies, start-ups, and academia so more of the ecosystem can be part of the week.

GDC Festival of Gaming takes place March 9-13, 2026 in and around San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Registration is open now at the newly relaunched gdconf.com.

For a deeper dive into what attendees can expect at the GDC Festival of Gaming, please visit the newly relaunched GDC Festival of Gaming website, or subscribe to regular updates via LinkedIn, Facebook, X or BlueSky. Official photos are available via the Official GDC Flickr account: www.flickr.com/photos/officialgdc/.

Strong Attendance for First gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show, positions Thailand as Global Gaming Hub

Paul Philleo
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Strong Attendance for First gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show, positions Thailand as Global Gaming Hub

Bangkok, Thailand, 22 October 2025 – The inaugural gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show, held 16-19 October in Bangkok, closed with 206,159 attendees and 294 exhibitors and country pavilions. The event broke both gamescom asia and Thailand Game Show’s attendance records and positioned itself as Southeast Asia’s largest gaming business and consumer festival. With the key theme ‘World of Gaming’, the event celebrated the growing interconnectedness of the global gaming ecosystem — bringing together game developers, publishers, gamers, and creators of gaming hardware and peripherals under one roof. From cutting-edge consoles and high-performance accessories to immersive gameplay experiences, it showcased the full spectrum of the industry.

At the official opening ceremony of the entertainment area on 17 October, Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance said: “Gaming is no longer just entertainment — it’s a key driver of the global creative economy. Through our Quick Big Win policy, Thailand is empowering its gaming and digital industries to become engines of innovation and global competitiveness. gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 connects Thai talent with global opportunities and strengthens our position on the world stage.”

Mr. Chaichanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society added: “The government, through the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) is committed to being a key driving force in supporting the Thai gaming industry and a reliable partner for all stakeholders both domestic and international. MDES wants to see Thai games expand into the global market.”

Assist. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) said: “This collaboration marks a new era for Thailand’s gaming ecosystem. It unites developers, investors, and players to drive innovation and elevate Thailand to global standards. gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 is more than an event — it’s a platform for growth and collaboration that puts Thailand on the global gaming map.”

“We are proud to announce this milestone collaboration between gamescom asia and Thailand Game Show, bringing together the best of the region’s gaming industry under one roof. This partnership celebrates creativity, innovation, and community on a global scale. Under the theme ‘World of Gaming,” we aim to elevate games and talent in Asia to the international stage while delivering world-class experiences to local audiences — positioning Southeast Asia as a true Global Gaming Hub,” further added the organisers of the event, Mathias Kuepper, Managing Director and Vice President of Asia-Pacific at Koelnmesse, Pongsuk Hiranprueck, CEO of Show No Limit Co., Ltd and Winradit Kolasastraseni, President of Digital Media, True Digital Group (Online Station).

The closing ceremony was presided over by Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Minister of Commerce. Reflecting on Southeast Asia’s rapid growth as a global gaming hub, she remarked: “I was deeply impressed to see both Thai and international game developers embracing the beauty of Thailand as the backdrop and characters in their games. This is true soft power, allowing players around the world to experience Thai identity through the world of games. Throughout the gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show, business negotiations were conducted and generated over 1.22 billion THB in economic value, a figure that reflects Thailand’s enormous potential on the global stage.”

 

‘World of Gaming’ in action at the entertainment area

From 17-19 October at the B2C show, fans experienced:

  • New game demos and product showcases from major gaming brands, including 4Divinity, Amazing Seasun, AMD, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Behaviour Interactive, Capcom, GCL, HoYoverse, HyperX, Intel, Konami, Nintendo, Nuverse, Omen, PlayStation by Gameshop Concept Store, Predator, Razer Game Services, Republic of Gamers, Sandisk, SEGA, SteelSeries, Synnex, Ubisoft, Tencent, The Pokémon Company, Xbox, among many.
  • Throughout the event, visitors could experience yet to be released AAA games such as Call of Duty Black Ops 7 and Ninja Gaiden 4, available for the first time in Thailand at the Xbox booth as well as Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Pragmata and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Nuverse’ first foray in the Southeast Asian event brought players a first hand demo of BLEACH: Soul Resonance.
  • For the first time in Thailand, Capcom brought a slate of game producers to the main stage, headlined by Ryozo Tsujimoto, Producer of the Monster Hunter series, and Executive Producer of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection who introduced fans to the latest entry in the beloved RPG series.
  • 4Divinity revealed Island of Hearts, a star-studded live-action interactive adventure game launching in 2026 and featuring an ensemble cast of well-known personalities from the digital entertainment scene. Among the stars are Siew Pui Yi, Debbie Wee, Nahyun Kim, Baby G, Ayako Ogawa, and Leah Usami.
  • Making its Thailand debut, the indie area showcased 62 indie titles, among 200+ playable indie games across both business and entertainment areas. The Indie Wavemakers Awards went to three indie teams for their creativity and innovation:
    • Wave Rider Award: Duo Quest by 1+1 Studios
    • Secret Level Award: BLACKOUT – Zero Point by SILOEGI Operation
    • Final Form Award: On Any Journey by Funbrew Games
  • The Zone Zean Game esports challenge between gamers from all over the country and Street Fighter 6 pro player Ho Kun Xian with winners taking home 30,000 THB (900 USD).
  • The Thailand Game Awards, celebrating the best games, industry talent and outstanding gaming gear, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 seeing sweeping awards in four categories and Lost and Found Co. clinching the highly anticipated Thai Game Award. Full list of winners available in Appendix 1.
  • The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Glen Schofield — veteran game designer of Dead Space, Call of Duty, and The Callisto Protocol, for his lifelong contributions and outstanding achievements in the gaming industry.
  • Cosplay Competition, with over 300,000 THB (9,300 USD) in prizes and standout winners (full list of winners available in Appendix 2):
    • Best Team: AMAZING CAKRA as Djeeta & Lucillius (Granblue Fantasy)
    • Best All Star: Theerawat Phanu as Harry Queen (Batman: Arkham Knight)
    • Fan Favourite: Ronald Bert Sta Ana as Scorpion (Mortal Kombat 1)
  • A live performance of the event’s theme song by Thai-German singer Jannine “Ploychompoo” Weigel, composed by Amm Atchariya.

Ideas and innovation at the business area

The business area (16-17 October) featured 71 speakers from 20 countries. Headliner Glen Schofield (Dead Space, Call of Duty, The Callisto Protocol) shared “10 ways to find inspiration,” urging developers to embrace risk-taking, originality, and resilience.

Other highlights included:

  • pitch competition (by Agora Gaming Partners) winners: MVRX Games (Sweden) won Best Visual for Dew, while Kotakoren Games (Malaysia) took Best Game Design award for Of Blood and Descend. Mudtek (USA) earning Most Anticipated Game for Dimraeth. Each received USD 1,500 to help in further developing their titles.
  • invest circle & VIP mixer connected 418 developers, publishers and investors.
  • Thailand Game Talent Showcase (by Thai Game Software Industry Association) spotlighted some x20 student-made games from Thailand. The full winner list available in Appendix 3.

Organisers confirmed that gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show will return to Bangkok, Thailand from 29 October to 1 November 2026.

For updates, visit: gamescom.asia

2025 At a Glance

 

  • 206,159 attendees from 95 countries
  • 5,590 business visitors from 81 countries
  • 294 exhibitors and pavilions
  • 200+ indie games
  • 71 speakers across 4 stages
  • 28 hours of content on the entertainment area main stage
  • 683 media partners, influencers, press
  • 30,000sqm of event space
  • 8 million hits on gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show’s Steam Festival

Available gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025 assets can be found in the branding and marketing kit here. Event images can be found here.

When Fandom Crosses the Line: Emiru’s TwitchCon 2025 Moment and the Call for Safer Events

Paul Philleo
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When Fandom Crosses the Line: Emiru’s TwitchCon 2025 Moment and the Call for Safer Events

TwitchCon 2025, held October 17-19 in San Diego, is designed to be a celebration of community, content creation, creativity, and connection. But for popular streamer and cosplayer Emiru, the event turned into a startling experience that has sparked widespread upset and renewed scrutiny of Twitch’s security protocols.

On October 17, during a scheduled meet-and-greet at the San Diego Convention Center, Emiru, whose real name is Emily Schunk, was assaulted by an attendee who bypassed multiple security barriers. The man grabbed her face and apparently attempted to kiss her without consent, as captured in video clips that quickly circulated across social media platforms. Emiru’s security team intervened, escorting her offstage while the assailant was removed from the area.

Emiru later posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing her shock and disappointment:

Twitch responded with a statement calling the behavior on social media:

However, many fans and fellow creators felt the response was inadequate (including reader-added context noting Emiru’s statement). The hashtag #ProtectStreamers began trending, with users demanding accountability and calling for better safety measures at future events.

One user, @BaconCrumbz, tweeted: “So some freak just assaulted Emiru at @TwitchCon. This behavior is disgusting. I’m amazed she still came back to finish the Meet and Greet line. She deserves the utmost respect”. Emiru’s decision to return and complete her session despite the trauma was seen as a testament to her resilience and dedication to her fans.

The incident has reignited long-standing concerns about streamer safety at conventions, especially during public meet-and-greets. For example, in 2019, two streamers attending off-site TwitchCon-related events said they dealt with spiked drinks that had sent one of them to the hospital. But, in 2024, another round of allegations around safety issues emerged again at another VIP TwitchCon-associated party, which this video by Mujin dug into.

As Emiru’s most recent experience shows, visibility and fame can come with serious risks, and platforms with events, like Twitch, as well as event sponsors, will need to take action to make sure that incidents like what happened with Emiru are much less likely to happen again.

Australian XR Festival 2025 Returns to Melbourne After Sold-Out Sessions in Sydney!

Mathew Anderson
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Australian XR Festival 2025 Returns to Melbourne After Sold-Out Sessions in Sydney!

Melbourne, Australia – The Australian XR Festival returns to Melbourne on 20–21 December 2025, following sold-out sessions in Sydney in 2024 and a successful event in Melbourne in 2023.

This year’s main events will take place at the St Kilda Life Saving Club, St Kilda Beach—a location inspired by the festival’s creative planning sessions held at iconic beaches like Burleigh Heads, Queensland.

“We are at our most creative and happiest when we’re at the beach,” said Festival Director and Founder, Matt Kirby. “But our original plans for the 2025 festival were almost the complete opposite of that.”

The highlight of the event, the Australian XR Festival Awards 2025, will celebrate leading local and global talent across creative tech industries including PC & Console Gaming, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Creative AI, Animation, and Digital Art. Previous finalists and winners have included international powerhouses such as Sony Pictures VR, Ubisoft, XR Games, Atari, Sugar CS, Shared Memory, and Nathie, alongside acclaimed Australian innovators like EyeJack, Toast Interactive, and Phoria.

The Awards Ceremony will conclude the festival on 21 December 2025. In addition to the awards, the festival will feature a dynamic mix of industry events and two days of public showcases, giving audiences the opportunity to experience some of the world’s most cutting-edge interactive works firsthand.

“Public access to these experiences is vital for the exposure and growth of the industry,” added Kirby.

The Australian XR Festival was founded following the success of the Qld XR Festival, which launched in 2021 and continues to grow annually. The festival team extends heartfelt thanks to the communities of Melbourne and Sydney for their ongoing support, and to the global creative community for their outstanding submissions.

“Year-on-year, we’re seeing remarkable growth—in both the quality of submissions and the number of people attending to experience them,” said Kirby.

Video of the Month — Pressing Play at Gamescom Congress 2025 for Connection and Commerce

Paul Philleo
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Video of the Month — Pressing Play at Gamescom Congress 2025 for Connection and Commerce

Gamescom Congress 2025 was held on August 21, 2025, as part of the larger Gamescom 2025 event in Cologne, Germany, which ran from August 19 to August 24, 2025. Gamescom is a massive public video game trade fair for gamers to experience the latest and greatest in games and hardware, while Gamescom Congress is an adjacent and affiliated professional conference for experts to discuss the broader social and economic impact of gaming. 

One of the sessions at Gamecom Congress 2025, “Press Play – Why Every Company Needs a Gaming Strategy,” by Bastian Bergmann, the co-founder and COO of Solsten and author of the book, “Press Play” and Erika Wykes-Sneyd, General Manager & Global VP, adidas, focused on how brands can use the gaming audience to create personalized customer experiences.

Bastian Bergmann opened with a truth bomb: Gaming isn’t a subculture anymore, it’s the culture. With 3.5 billion players worldwide, gaming has eclipsed music, film, and television. It’s not just entertainment; it’s infrastructure. And yet, many companies still treat it like a novelty.

He urged brands to stop asking ‘Should we be in gaming?’ and start asking ‘How do we show up authentically?’ Gaming is where people build identity, community, and loyalty. It’s where brands can move from passive advertising to active, interactive storytelling.

Then, Erika Wykes-Sneyd stepped in to deepen the perspective about this cultural shift. She shared her experience leading Adidas into gaming and Web3, emphasizing that brands must earn their place. It’s about listening, not logos. Erika’s mantra: “Don’t just play the game. Understand the players.”

Together, they argued that gaming is no longer a vertical. It’s a horizontal layer across every industry. From fashion to finance, brands must learn to speak the language of play. Because in gaming, relevance can’t really be bought so much as built.

Explore the entire 31-minute video from Gamescom Congress 2025 talk to learn more about Bastian Bergmann and Erika Wykes-Sneyd’s perspectives and why, if you’re a business, “pressing play” is the way to go.

Did you attend Gamescom Congress 2025? Feel free to share your thoughts about this session, if you attended, and other talks from the agenda.

Whether you are an event coordinator, press, or general attendee, if you have an event video to share with us, please let us know and we’ll be happy to feature it!

Taipei Game Show 2026 Indie Game Award Finalists Announced! A Record-Breaking 515 Entries from 51 Countries

Mathew Anderson
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Taipei Game Show 2026 Indie Game Award Finalists Announced! A Record-Breaking 515 Entries from 51 Countries

Hosted by Taipei Game Show, the international indie game competition Indie Game Award (IGA) continues to grow more competitive each year. This edition set a new record with 515 entries from 51 countries and regions, marking a 1.5-fold increase in scale compared to last year. Notably, indie developers from Norway, the United Arab Emirates, Panama, Slovenia, and Kyrgyzstan are joining the competition for the first time, further enriching the diversity of this year’s entries.

According to the organizer, IGA features a unique preliminary selection mechanism — each participating developer evaluates other contestants’ games, fostering a global exchange of creative ideas beyond geographical boundaries. Through this peer-review process, developers can experience a wide range of gameplay systems, design approaches, and creative concepts from around the world.

The finalists are officially announced today. The second-round evaluation will be conducted by a jury composed of industry experts, professional media, past IGA winners, and content creators from Taiwan and abroad. The panel will play and review the shortlisted titles based on their narrative, audio, art, gameplay design, and creativity, selecting winners across eight award categories, including the Grand Prix  (Game of the Year). All winning titles will be showcased in a special exhibition area at Taipei Game Show 2026, where players can experience them firsthand.

Global Spotlight: Critically Acclaimed Titles Compete for the Crown –

38 Teams from 16 Countries Advance to the Finals

This year’s Indie Game Award 2026 finalists represent 38 outstanding teams from 16 countries and regions, including Taiwan, Germany, China, Korea, the United States, France, Japan, Brazil, Serbia, Cyprus, Denmark, Georgia, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, and Spain.

Among them, Brazil’s “Nine Kings” combines roguelike and city-building elements, gaining global attention during its early access phase and receiving “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews on Steam. The game “Consume Me”, nominated for both Best Innovation and Best Mobile Game, draws on the universal experiences of adolescence, allowing players to rediscover self-growth in a unique and personal way.

Switzerland’s “The Wandering Village” lets players act as survivors managing a village on the back of a massive ancient creature — balancing development and coexistence with the giant beast becomes a central theme.

Serbia’s “The King Is Watching” combines base-building with roguelike strategy on a limited 4×4 grid, challenging players to construct their kingdoms under the constraints of the king’s field of vision, resulting in countless strategic possibilities.

From Taiwan, “Always With You”, one of the few locally developed titles built with Unreal Engine 5, follows the heartwarming journey of a girl named Mia and her cat. With its engaging puzzles and soothing atmosphere, it stands out as a strong contender for Best Audio.

Other Taiwanese finalists include “YARETA”, “Aeruta”, “Back of Beyond”, and “Froggo’s Adventure: Drifting Sky” — five titles in total advancing to the final round. The Indie Game Award 2026 winners will be officially announced on January 28, 2026.

The Taipei Game Show organizing committee continues its efforts to bring outstanding Taiwanese indie developers to international audiences. In the coming months, Taiwanese teams will participate in partner events including SXSW Sydney (Australia), gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show (Thailand), and GameOn (Lithuania), allowing global players to experience the creativity and innovation of Taiwan’s indie game scene.

The exhibitor registration for Indie House has now closed. Developers who missed the deadline will soon have another chance, as the waitlisted exhibitor registration is expected to open shortly. Indie House remains one of the most anticipated stages for indie creators worldwide, offering both on-site exposure and additional online visibility through the Steam Sale event. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your game and connect with players from around the globe.

Indie Game Award 2026 Finalists: https://tgs.tca.org.tw/?p=IGA_Finalist_e_26

【Indie Game Award 2026 Finalists】

Best Narrative
Country/Region Game Title Developer
Germany the Berlin Apartment Blue Backpack
China All Our Broken Parts Tin Bird
France CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs Bastinus Rex
Poland Above the Snow Above the Desk
United States NODE: The Last Favor of the Antarii Lapsus Games
Best Audio
Country/Region Game Title Developer
France ENDLESS™ Legend 2 AMPLITUDE Studios
Cyprus Breathedge 2 RedRuins Softworks
Japan and Roger TearyHand Studio
Germany Star Birds Toukana Interactive
Portugal Gloomy Juncture Filipe Rodrigues (Subtales)
Taiwan Always With You SNOWYOWL ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED
Taiwan YARETA Mariana Games
Best Visual Art
Country/Region Game Title Developer
China Doloc Town RedSaw Games Studio
Cyprus Breathedge 2 RedRuins Softworks
China Toy Smash Kaboom! Free Particle Studio
Georgia The Northern Path Triluna
South Korea Graytail Concode
Switzerland The Wandering Village Stray Fawn Studio
Taiwan Aeruta FromDawn Games
Taiwan Back of Beyond Poly Poly Games
Best Design
Country/Region Game Title Developer
Brazil 9 Kings Sad Socket
United States BALL x PIT Kenny Sun
Japan MotionRec HANDSUM
South Korea Telebbit IKINAGAMES_Traveler
Serbia The King Is Watching Hypnohead
China Roots Devour Rewinding Games
Germany Net.Attack() ByteRockers’ Games
Best Innovation
Country/Region Game Title Developer
Japan MotionRec HANDSUM
Denmark WHAT THE CLASH? Triband
China AiliA IceToad Studio
United States Consume Me Jenny Jiao Hsia, AP Thomson, Jie En Lee, Violet W-P, Ken
China S4U: CITYPUNK 2011 AND LOVE PUNCH U0U Games
Germany No Players Online Beeswax Games
Best Mobile Game
Country/Region Game Title Developer
United States Consume Me Jenny Jiao Hsia, AP Thomson, Jie En Lee, Violet W-P, Ken
China AiliA IceToad Studio
South Korea Graytail Concode
France Gambonanza Blukulélé
China Lost Castle 2 Hunter Studio
Best Student Game
Country/Region Game Title Developer
Germany Glintseeker Island Half Soup Labs
South Korea Hermit Computer VIA studio (Visual Interactive Art)
Japan One More Mix Annulus
Spain Weefager Monodo
Taiwan Froggo’s Adventure: Drifting Sky SmellyFrog

Taipei Game Show 2026
Date l   B2B ZONE

Jan. 29 to Jan. 30, 2026

l   B2C ZONE (Indie House / Board Game Wonderland)

Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, 2026
Venue Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1
Official Site https://tgs.tca.org.tw/index_e.php
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/taipeigameshowglobal
Twitter https://twitter.com/taipeigameshow
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/taipeigameshow/

Asia Pacific Game Summit
Date Jan. 29 to Jan. 30, 2026
Venue Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1
Official Site https://tgs.tca.org.tw/apgs/?lang=e

DreamHack India Turns Six: Six Highlights at Hyderabad Comic Con X DreamHack India

Paul Philleo
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DreamHack India Turns Six: Six Highlights at Hyderabad Comic Con X DreamHack India

DreamHack India turns six this year, and Hyderabad Comic Con X DreamHack India promises a milestone weekend that pays tribute to the festival’s roots while pushing the experience forward. Including esports, retrogaming, analog nostalgia, cosplay and more, the three-day event running October 31 to November 2, 2025, aims to deliver any experience a gamer, creator, or collector could want under one roof. In keeping with the six years of operation, these are six of the highlighted experiences attendees can partake in.

  • KO Fight Nights Three fighting-game tournaments feature Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, and Super Smash Bros. Tekken 8 carries a ₹3,60,000 prize pool and is a DOJO stop for the Tekken World Tour 2025, meaning entrants earn official Dojo Points toward global rankings. Street Fighter 6 and Super Smash Bros events run daily with smaller cash prizes and open-bracket formats suitable for both casual entrants and regional competitors.
  • Chess at DreamHack A competitive chess program offers Rapid and Blitz sections with a combined ₹5,00,000 prize pool. Matches follow standard timed formats and tournament pairing systems, providing a structured environment for rated and unrated players alike.
  • Android PANFEST Battle Royale A mobile-focused battle-royale competition across classic maps encourages squad play and tournament-style scheduling. Organisers will publish lobby formats, match rules, and prize distribution in advance to help teams prepare.
  • Retro and Table Top Zone One Retro Zone houses arcade cabinets and board-game tables, with small prize pools for selected tournaments. Titles include arcade classics and tabletop staples such as Ludo, Carrom, and Uno; events mix casual open-play sessions with scheduled competitive brackets.
  • BYOD Bring Your Own Device The 72-hour LAN allows attendees to set up personal rigs for continuous play. On-site PC rental options are available for visitors without equipment. The space supports community-run sessions, pickup tournaments, and spectator areas.
  • Cosplay and Merch Market Daily cosplay competitions award cash prizes and culminate in the Indian Championship of Cosplay on the final day. The Merch Market will feature exhibitors selling collectibles, apparel, and game-related hardware with clear vendor listings and payment options.

Tickets and full event schedules for Hyderabad Comic Con X DreamHack India are available on the District App and the official DreamHack and Comic Con India websites.

From Vision to Reality: SIGGRAPH Asia 2025 Reveals Program Highlights and Global Creative Lineup in Hong Kong

Mathew Anderson
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From Vision to Reality: SIGGRAPH Asia 2025 Reveals Program Highlights and Global Creative Lineup in Hong Kong
  • The 18th edition of ACM SIGGRAPH Asia will be held from 15–18 December 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)
  • Hong Kong set to welcome over 7,000 attendees from more than 50 countries
  • “Generative Renaissance” theme spotlights AI’s transformative role in art, science, and creativity

Hong Kong, 14 October 2025 –​​ Koelnmesse, the organiser of SIGGRAPH Asia 2025, has unveiled the 2025 theme, Generative Renaissance, a distinguished lineup of internationally acclaimed keynote speakers, featured sessions, and exhibition highlights in the lead-up to the December conference in Hong Kong.

“SIGGRAPH Asia 2025 reflects the extraordinary creativity and technical expertise flourishing in Hong Kong, alongside a convergence of the world’s leading researchers, studios, and creators,” said Taku Komura, Conference Chair and Professor at The University of Hong Kong. “With our theme, Generative Renaissance, this edition will showcase groundbreaking work in AI, animation, and immersive technologies, highlighting both local talent and international innovation. We look forward to an inspiring conference that pushes the boundaries of creativity and technology.”

Shaping Tomorrow: Keynotes on AI Transforming Art, Design, and Media

SIGGRAPH Asia 2025 will feature three visionary keynote speakers whose work are redefining AI, computer vision, and generative technology:

  • Harry Shum, Council Chairman of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and former Executive Vice President of Microsoft AI & Research. At SIGGRAPH Asia, he will spotlight his work on the Low Altitude Economy (LAE) and present the Smart Integrated Low Altitude System (SILAS), an operating system built to connect operations, regulations, and end-users.
  • Jamie Shotton, Chief Scientist at Wayve, a leader in computer vision and AI for autonomous vehicles. His pioneering research on real-time human pose recognition has reshaped AR/VR applications and now drives the next frontier in intelligent mobility.
  • Dr. Chunchao Guo, Head of Hunyuan 3D Generation and World Modeling at Tencent, whose groundbreaking work in generative AI and large-scale 3D modeling is advancing world simulation, digital twins, and creative AI across industries.

Oscar-Winning Innovators and Pixar Visionaries Headline Featured Sessions 

Each year, the Featured Sessions spotlight leading work in animation, visual effects, and virtual production. The 2025 edition features Paul Debevec, Chief Research Officer at Eyeline Studios (Netflix) and Richard Chuang, Founder of d1n0. Also joining this year is a group from Pixar Animation Studios—Claudia Chung Sanii, David Luoh, Emron Grover, Jordan Rempel, Renee Tam, and Sajan Skaria—presenting Alien Abduction! The Truth Behind the Making of Pixar’s Elio.

They will be joined by Momo Wang, award-winning animation director, artist, and creator of Tuzki; Scott Ross, Founder of Digital Domain and former GM of ILM and SVP of Lucasfilm; Raman Hui, acclaimed director of Monster Hunt and longtime DreamWorks animator, best known for his work on the Shrek franchise; and Chris Bremble, Founder & CEO of Base Media, spotlighting the studio’s triumphant return with Ne Zha 2 and its groundbreaking visual effects work.

World Experts at the Helm of SIGGRAPH Asia’s Innovation Programs

SIGGRAPH Asia 2025’s core programs are curated by a world-class lineup of chairs, each leading a unique facet of the conference. Conference Chair Taku Komura sets the vision for the event, while Technical Papers Chairs Michael Wimmer and Hongbo Fu highlight groundbreaking research. Art Gallery Chair Isaac Leung and Art Papers Chair Kian Peng Ong showcase the latest intersections of art and technology.

The Computer Animation Festival (CAF), SIGGRAPH Asia’s iconic program, is led by Chair Tim Cheung and Producer Jennifer Lee. Each year, CAF’s Electronic Theater and Animation Theater showcase the world’s best CG animation, offering audiences entertaining and thought-provoking works. An international jury of top experts will also select the best entries and award four prestigious honors: Best Student Project, Jury Special, Best in Show, and Audience Choice.

In addition, Courses Chair Mélina Skouras, Emerging Technologies Chair Kening Zhu, XR Chair Evan Yifan Peng, and Games Chair Eric Liu provide hands-on learning and immersive experiences for attendees.

Educator’s Forum Chair Meili Wang, Featured Sessions Chair Baoquan Chen, Posters Chair Junyong Noh, Real-Time Live! Chair Bent Stamnes, Technical Communications Chair Yuting Ye,  Workshops Chair Ruizhen Hu, and Publications Chair Stephen Spencer provide platforms for knowledge sharing and experimentation. Supporting the community is Student Volunteers Chair Patience Lee.

SIGGRAPH Asia Exhibition Stage: Where Innovation Debuts

Running 16–18 December, the SIGGRAPH Asia Exhibition will feature more than 70 leading companies showcasing breakthroughs in hardware, software, and interactive technologies. With over 7,000 professionals expected, it is the region’s premier platform to connect with innovators, discover talent, and experience technologies shaping the future.

This year’s exhibition will showcase leading sponsors including FORUM8, Tencent, Huawei Technologies, Morpho, Vicon, NVIDIA, and Foundry.

Visitors can also look forward to participation from some of the industry’s most influential players such as Adobe, Chingmu Motion Capture, CLO Virtual Fashion, Meta’s Reality Labs Research, NOKOV, Pixar Animation Studios’ Renderfarm, and Qualisys. Adding to the diversity of innovation, the exhibition will feature two country pavilions – South Korea and Malaysia – spotlighting emerging technologies and creative talent from across Asia.

For complete SIGGRAPH Asia 2025 Conference and Exhibition details, visit https://asia.siggraph.org/2025/.

REGISTRATION

https://asia.siggraph.org/2025/register is open to trade visitors and the public.

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