Discover the best indie games

at gamescom dev 2026!

We are committed to giving newcomers the chance to present their projects to the international games industry.
And as gamescom dev has diversity at its core, we especially support diverse teams!

Visit the indie expo at gamescom dev and discover exciting, innovative, and original new game projects!

Roadmap for the application

Call for Indies

The deadline for your submissions is May 8, 2026.

Selection Process

We review all applications until May 15, 2026.

Check your Mail

We notify all selected participants by May 19, 2026.

Indie Expo

Onsite at gamescom dev conference, August 24 & 25 2026.

If selected, you have one week to confirm your attendance by your payment.
This is a highly competitive selection. If you miss the deadline, your spot goes to the next indie dev in line.

Special offer for indies:

Join us in the B2B area of gamescom

As gamescom dev, we’re happy to make an exclusive offer available to indie developers: Book your stand at the B2B area at gamescom (Aug 26 – 28, 2026)!

Within the business area of gamescom, we are offering 8 indie studios the opportunity to showcase their games in Hall 4.1 at our gamescom dev booth for just €1,499.

The package includes:

An exhibition stand in the business area (including a 43-inch screen, 2 chairs, and branding space)*
A premium location, close to the connecting entrance to Hall 4.2, ensuring high visibility and strong foot traffic from publishers, investors, and other business visitors
Free water and hot beverages for 3 days
2 exhibitor passes

*internet connection needs to be booked separately

This option is ideal for indie studios who want to build new business connections and find publishers and/or investors!
If you’re interested, please contact us at sales@gamescomdev.global

Meet your future partners

at the gamescom dev pitch it! mixer

The gamescom dev pitch it! mixer brings together indie developers and internationally acclaimed publishers in a focused networking environment.

Talented indie developers get direct access to decision-makers through curated speed pitching and relaxed open networking.

How it works:

publishers are seated at fixed tables
selected indie developers rotate clockwise
- 4-minute meeting cycles
- 3 minutes to pitch
- 1 minute to move on to the next table

The idea is to create fast-paced and focused exchanges!

Following the speed pitching session, both indie developers and publishers have the opportunity to intensify their conversations in an open networking space.

Participants talking to each other at the pitch it! mixer.

Participation in the speed pitching session is limited to invited and selected applicants only. (The networking section after the speed pitching is open to all attendees.)

Applications are now closed, thank you for your interest!

Date:
Tue, Aug 25, 2026
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Location:
Confex Foyer Süd

gamescom dev awards:

celebrate excellence in game development

On Monday afternoon, August 24, the gamescom dev awards 2026 will celebrate outstanding creativity, innovation, and talent from the gamescom dev indie expo.

Across four award categories, the best indie titles will be recognized for their projects. In addition, two special awards will honor exceptional individuals and teams from the gaming industry, selected and voted for by our speakers in recognition of their outstanding contributions and accomplishments.

Date:
Mon, Aug 24, 2026
4:45 pm – 5:45 PM

Location:
Confex, Keynote Stage

The award categories:

Visual Excellence Award

Recognizing outstanding visual presentation, including art direction, artistic style, animation quality, lighting, and overall aesthetics.

Most Innovative Game

Awarded to the game that introduces the most original and creative gameplay mechanics.

Most Promising Game

Celebrating a project that demonstrates exceptional potential for future development and its later release. This may include strong core ideas, a compelling prototype, creative direction, or early-stage execution.

Best Sound Design

Honoring outstanding achievement in the creation and implementation of a game’s audio elements, including sound effects, ambient sound and gameplay feedback.