Industry Events
Ongoing coverage on Industry Events.
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GDC Festival of Gaming 2027 moves to four-day format to "create a higher quality, more focused and valuable experience"
The GDC Festival of Gaming will shift to a four-day format from Monday to Thursday for its 2027 edition, aiming to create a more focused and valuable experience for attendees. Organizers cited community feedback and data analysis for the change, which includes expanding the Business Hall and optimizing programming schedules. The Game Developers Choice Awards will also accept direct submissions for the first time.
GDCA 2027 moves away from nominations-based system, publishers and devs can now submit games for consideration
The 2027 Game Developers Choice Awards will move away from its nomination-based system to allow publishers and developers to directly submit games for consideration. Games released on PC or console in 2026 are eligible, with no entry fees and a November 1, 2026 deadline. New award categories for Best Game Launch and Best Gaming Tech have also been introduced.
New Croatian conference Splitscreen wants to keep "that half-holiday, half-work feeling" of Reboot Develop
A new Croatian game development conference called Splitscreen is launching in Split, aiming to capture the spirit of the recently defunct Reboot Develop. The event, scheduled for April 20-22, 2027, will feature an international audience, a seafront venue, and a focus on social interaction over formal networking apps, seeking to blend work and leisure.
For the first time in 60 years, Sony will skip the huge convention it once used to reveal the PS5 logo because now it’s focusing on "technology geared to support creators"
Sony will not attend the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2027, marking its first absence in 60 years. The company cited a focus on "entertainment, intellectual property, and technology geared to support creators" as the reason for the shift away from large industry events.
Rykten, skvaller & önskedrömmar - Blizzcon 2026
This article speculates on potential announcements and reveals for Blizzcon 2026, Blizzard Entertainment's upcoming fan convention. Topics include new expansions for World of Warcraft and Diablo IV, potential StarCraft game developments, and updates for Overwatch and Hearthstone, alongside rumors of a combined Xbox Game Pass and Blizzard subscription service.
September's schedule of new games, events, and updates refuses to let 2026 go down in history as a slow year for…
September 2026 is shaping up to be a busy month for PC gaming, featuring new releases like The Blood of Dawnwalker, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Control Resonant, alongside major updates for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered, Valheim, and RuneScape. The month also includes significant industry events such as PAX West, Blizzcon, and Tokyo Game Show.
GDC Festival of Gaming announces changes to 2027 event, including new Business Hall at Moscone West
The GDC Festival of Gaming has announced significant changes for its 2027 event, including a new Business Hall at Moscone West designed for meetings and relationship-building. New pass options, including dedicated passes for indie and start-up participants, and an updated schedule aim to increase flexibility and accessibility based on industry feedback.
'Each event has to feel local and relevant to its market:' Gamescom wants responsible expansion after record-breaking year
Gamescom is focusing on responsible expansion after a record-breaking year, with its managing director Felix Falk emphasizing the need for local relevance in its global events. The conference aims to connect various industry stakeholders, including developers, publishers, and players, while supporting independent studios and fostering business opportunities.
18 AAA games in 8 weeks: With the GTA 6 shadow looming, Gamescom suddenly feels like the most essential gaming event of 2026
With Grand Theft Auto 6 set to dominate the holiday season, Gamescom 2026 is positioned as a crucial event for other major game releases to gain visibility. The article highlights the significant number of AAA titles scheduled for release in the eight weeks leading up to Grand Theft Auto 6, suggesting that many developers may delay their launches to avoid direct competition. Gamescom's Opening Night Live is presented as the last major opportunity for games to capture player attention before the industry shifts its focus to Rockstar's highly anticipated title.
Morning Gatherings and Events
The Games for Change Festival is set to expand its reach by moving to new cities. This expansion aims to broaden the festival's impact and accessibility.
Video Game History Foundation releases major new E3 archive collections
The Video Game History Foundation has released new collections documenting the history of the E3 trade show, which ran from 1995 to 2021. These archives include extensive materials from Carolyn Rauch, who oversaw E3 for nearly its entire run, and nearly 12 hours of video footage from the first four E3 events filmed by Anthony Parisi. The additions also feature digitized E3 directory books, E3 Show Daily scans, and previously unreleased footage of the cancelled Rare game Conker's Quest.
The GamesIndustry.biz Summer Party 2026 in photos
GamesIndustry.biz hosted its annual summer party on Brighton Pier during the Develop: Brighton conference, sponsored by Renaissance PR and Green Man Gaming. The event, which also screened the England-Argentina World Cup semi-final, provided an opportunity for UK games industry professionals to connect. The next GamesIndustry.biz event will be the HR Summit and Best Places To Work Awards UK on October 1st.
The Video Game History Foundation's latest collection is a deep dive into E3 "like you've never seen it before"
The Video Game History Foundation has launched a new collection dedicated to the history of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). This extensive archive includes industry reports, marketing materials, press kits, photography, and nearly 12 hours of footage from the event's early years, including Nintendo's 1997 press conference. The foundation aims to preserve this significant part of gaming history and make it freely accessible for study.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
The Video Game History Foundation has released a video revisiting E3, offering a new perspective on the iconic industry event. The content aims to explore the history and significance of E3 through a retrospective lens.
Future Games Show returns to Gamescom with 3 shows
Future, publisher of PC Gamer, will host three videogame showcases at Gamescom in August. The 'Future Games Show at Gamescom' and 'FGS Live From Gamescom' will air on August 26, followed by 'FGS Best Of Gamescom' on August 30. These shows will feature world premieres, trailers, developer deep dives, and game demos, with the 'Best Of' showcase including booth tours and interviews.
Three 'massive' Future Games digital showcases will air next month during Gamescom 2026, offering viewers world premieres and exclusive trailers from 'some of the industry’s most creative studios'
Future Games Show will host three digital showcases during Gamescom 2026, starting August 26 with the main event and FGS Live, followed by FGS Best Of Gamescom on August 30. These events will feature world premieres, exclusive trailers, and developer insights for PC and console games from various studios.
Kickstarted indie MMORPG Hollowed Oath will host a panel at Dragon Con 2026
God Mode Games announced that their crowdfunded MMORPG, Hollowed Oath, will host a panel at the 40th Anniversary of Dragon Con in Atlanta. The studio also provided updates on recent game development progress, including the implementation of trading, item socketing, and grouping systems.
Morning Gatherings and Events
Develop-Brighton 2026 is scheduled to take place in one week, with MCV/DEVELOP covering the event. Additionally, Star Wars: The Old Republic's Galactic Seasons objectives will be active from July 7 to July 27.
Evening Gatherings and Events
This opinion piece discusses the differing trajectories of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and Gamescom, suggesting that Gamescom is growing in strength while GDC faces challenges. The article contrasts the success of these two major industry events.
GDC Festival of Gaming Event Info | Game Developer
The Game Developer website provides information on the GDC Festival of Gaming event, highlighting its extensive network of online properties and audience reach. The site is operated by Informa PLC, a company registered in England and Wales.
