This is a living article and will be updated as more opportunities are announced, information on listed events is made available, and timelines are defined. We also encourage you to sign up for our events calendar, Indie Calendar Buddy, which tracks opportunities worldwide and year-round. We hope you find these helpful resources.

Digital Events

The cancellation of nearly all major physical opportunities now bleeds all the way into August – but we adapt and overcome. Many organizations, events, and outlets are offering digital alternatives to help offset the loss of these physical expos and provide ways for the games industry to continue on at full speed. 

 

We’ve compiled a list of all the known opportunities and how to get involved. Events are organized by chronological order of when they will be occurring. But hurry! Please note that at the initial time of writing of this, some of the E3-adjacent events are closing submissions this week. For your convenience, events have been organized by deadline at the end.

 

 

Virtual Pop Expo

When: May 9-10

What: “THE FUTURE OF POP CULTURE CONVENTIONS HAS ARRIVED.

With mandated social distancing shuttering large-scale events worldwide, VFE arrives as a jam-packed, two-day event offering fun, fandom and the ultimate celebration of the pop culture community in a safe, inclusive virtual environment.

VFE promises to be an integrated online fan experience featuring exciting panels, Q&A’s and celebrity appearances, as well as interactive gaming rooms, online happy hours, and a cosplay “ball.” An event centerpiece will be a virtual exhibitor floor featuring more than one hundred exhibitors and vendors offering the hottest merchandise typically found at well-known Cons.

Attendees will have exclusive access to vendors on the exhibitor floor via Auxxit, an innovative virtual marketplace that will feature special shopping segments including limited edition and VFE-exclusive merch. The platform also gives the community unparalleled ability to communicate with exhibitors and each other throughout the weekend.

​ Everything you want to know about Virtual Fan Expo is coming soon…”

How to Apply: Fill out the form on their website

Deadlines: Unknown

Game Developers Carnival

When: May 11-12

What: “Game Developers Carnival is a fully virtual gaming industry event that gives video game professionals a fun, interactive way to see the latest in gaming and access high-value networking opportunities from their home or office, all while supporting the GDC Relief Fund.”

How to Apply: Join exhibitor waitlist or register as an attendee

Deadlines: May 1

European Games BizDev Gathering

When: May 13-14

What: European Games BizDev Gathering is a two days long online event focused on supporting European game developers during challenging times of the ongoing global crisis. The purpose is to get them an invaluable opportunity to get their projects in front of investors and publishers from all over the world! It is a special event organized by the joint EGDF, rcp and Reboot initiative while supported by some of their key European partners. It will take place online from 13th to 14th of May 2020 while using MeetToMatch as a platform for pitching and meetings.

How to Apply: Register as an attendee

Digital Dragons

When: May 13-15

What: “The organizers of Digital Dragons have partnered with Valve and indie publisher Walkabout Games to run a games festival — the Digital Dragons Indie Celebration — via Steam.

A total of 50 indie games will be showcased via a special page, which will host livestreams, interviews and demos from May 13 to 15 — a few days earlier than the May 18 to 19 physical event originally planned.

The last day will feature a virtual awards ceremony, with a jury of industry experts picking the top three games of the show, in addition to a publicly-voted award.”

How to Apply: Submit through their website

Deadlines: April 26

Steam Game Festival

When: June 9-June 14

What: “The Steam Game Festival will return for a Summer Edition this June 9th to shine a spotlight on games set to be released within the next year.

From June 9th – 14th, game developers have the opportunity to show off their upcoming releases to a global gaming audience, giving gamers on Steam the chance to try them out, learn more, and add games to their wishlist!

If you have a game that you plan on releasing before the summer of 2021 and are interested in participating with a demo or short playable experience, please register your interest by April 24th.”

How to Apply: Application Form

Deadlines: April 24

PC Gaming Show

When: June

What: “E3 as we know it won’t be happening this year, but in the absence of an expo with booths and meeting rooms, developers will turn to Twitch and livestreaming to announce their new stuff.

June will be filled with game announcements—we’ll just be watching it all from home, probably. For our part, the PC Gaming Show will be back alongside the usual lineup of conferences to showcase unannounced games, trailers, and new material for games we’re already playing.

With June less than two months away, we still have opportunities for developers to reveal their game in this year’s broadcast, which was watched by 6 million people last year. If you’re working on a cool PC game we’d love to consider you for this year’s lineup. This is your chance to be a part of what’s traditionally Twitch’s most-viewed day of the year.”

How to Apply: Form

Deadlines: Early May

Indie World Order

When: TBD, believed to be around August

What: “We are presented with a unique opportunity! To make this accessible to talented creatives who wouldn’t have the means to partake in such an event before. So first and foremost, this event is absolutely FREE both for exhibitors as well as attendees!

You are not alone. We will work with you to help you build your brand’s or product’s virtual presence, virtual booth if you will, and it won’t just look pretty. It will be interactive and informative, allowing all attendees to obtain valuable information on your work.

And that’s only one aspect of the event. We will be working with streamers, YouTubers, industry members and press to coordinate a full schedule of online showcases, interviews, discussion panels, workshops and everything you could ask for from such an event, all at the comfort of your own home, and again, for FREE!

And if all that wasn’t enough, you will be able to interact with our virtual environments in meaningful and fun ways, hunt for easter eggs and unlock giveaways and goodies!

But to achieve all these wonderful things, we will need your participation and availability will be limited and selective, so make sure you fill in an application ASAP!”

Trailer

How to Apply: Register as a streamer, exhibitor, volunteer or attendee.

Deadlines: Applications still open

IGN Summer of Gaming

When: Around E3, TBD

What:  “With E3 2020 cancelled, IGN has a suite of programming planned to kick off in early June. It includes publisher presentations with IGN pre- and post-discussions, remote developer interviews, hands-on demos and preview impressions, gameplay, and news segments recapping the biggest announcements.

Audiences at home around the world can participate as well, sending in reaction videos, voting on favorite announcements, and more.

IGN’s global coverage spans 112 countries and 25 languages and aims to ensure that fans can enjoy this incredible digital experience regardless of what device or platform they use. IGN’s live programming can be accessed on any one of IGN’s more than 20 platforms, including desktop, mobile, OTT, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Mixer, Twitch, Snapchat Discover, TikTok, and more.”

How to Apply: More info to come

Deadlines: More info to come

Escapist Indie Showcase

When: Around E3, TBD

What: This Twitter post is all we know

How to Apply: Application Form

Deadlines: May 10

Gamescom

When: August 25-29

What: “Gamescom 2020: the largest games event in the world will only take place digitally this year nationwide ban on major events until the end of August. The nationwide ban on major events until 31 August announced yesterday by the German government and states has direct consequences for hosting gamescom 2020 at the Cologne fair grounds. This means that a business or entertainment area in the previous format will not be possible this year. That does not change the fact that gamescom will definitely take place digitally. In addition to established formats such as gamescom: Opening Night Live and gamescom now, we are currently working intensively on the expansion of these offerings and introducing additional modules. In light of yesterday’s decision to suspend all major events until the end of August, the devcom developer conference will also be held exclusively in digital form. The first concrete information regarding digital gamescom 2020 will be announced in mid-May. Further information on the handling of ticket and booking refunds will be made available in the coming weeks. 

Oliver Frese, Managing Director of Koelnmesse GmbH: “As the organizer, this decision is as painful for us as for the half million gamescom fans who come to Cologne every year to celebrate games together. However, we are looking forward to the digital gamescom 2020.” Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – the association of the German games industry: “Even though we unfortunately will not be able to come together with the games community and industry on site in Cologne this year, we’ll still celebrate the latest games with each other digitally at the end of August. That is why we are working at full speed together with our partners on the further development of gamescom: Opening Night Live and gamescom now, and will be presenting new and exciting digital formats. Our goal is clear: this year, gamescom will once again be ‘The Heart of Gaming’ for millions of fans throughout the world.””

How to Apply: More info around mid-May.

Deadlines: Not yet open.

IndieCade

When: October 16-24

What: “They say when one door closes another one opens. This year’s situation has inspired new thinking about our Fall Festival. We know that we want to reach more people, on more continents, and tear down financial barriers to so many who wish to participate. We do not yet know if we will be able to also get people together in person, but we do know we can create a significant event. This year seems to us like an opportunity to try something creative and expansive, and to make a much larger impact.

And so we are announcing a reconfigured IndieCade Festival. IndieCade’s 2020 flagship gathering will be a multi-day celebration of innovation and innovators, of fresh new games and their creators, of new connections and old, of coming together as a community and welcoming so many new voices, friends, partners, creators, supporters, and enthusiasts.Submissions for IndieCade are now open, and given the worldwide situation we have extended our early submission rate through May 1st.

As always – IndieCade welcomes a wide spectrum of games and experiences — regardless of platform, style, experience, or background, and we especially encourage work-in-progress, as well as, completed projects. See details below.”

How to Apply: Submission Process Overview:

1 – Complete your online application.

2 – Choose the events to which you’re submitting to and pay the processing fee (there is no additional charge this year).

3 – All teams who submit to IndieCade will receive complimentary passes to the Festival’s Developer Summit (IndieXchange) and an opportunity to showcase at our GameTasting (show-and-tell).

For even more submission discounts and other benefits, please consider an IndieCade Membership!

Note: Submission fees are nonrefundable.

Deadlines: (Extended) Early Submission Period: Closes May 1st 11:59PM PDT (GMT -7) – $75

Regular Submission Period: Closes June 1st 11:59PM PDT (GMT -7) $100

 

 

Rumored Events

Raw Fury/The Mix do E3

When: Sometime around E3

What: Raw Fury and The Mix are collaborating on a digital event. More information will be coming.

How to Apply: Not yet open.

Deadlines: Not yet open.

Day of the Devs

When: TBD

What: iam8bit will hosting Day of the Devs in digital form. More information will be coming.

How to Apply: TBD

Deadlines: TBD

Ongoing Opportunities

In addition to the digital event alternatives, here are a few options for amplifying or funding your projects.

Wings Fund

When: Ongoing

What: “WINGS is a new venture looking to support games by diverse teams, starting with games made by women and gender minority developers.

We help by funding games from early to late stage of development. Our selection committee is composed only of international female and non-binary developers with a proven track record.”

How to Apply: We review games with a prototype and a pitch. You can see a checklist in our application form here of the things we usually like to see. But if you don’t have everything no worries! You can apply by filling the form here or send us an email with your pitch! Form

Deadlines: None, currently

#PlayApartTogether

When: Ongoing

What: “Games Industry Unites to Promote World Health Organization Messages Against COVID-19; Launch #PlayApartTogether Campaign

Today, the global and far-reaching games industry agreed to disseminate key messages from the World Health Organization to help slow the spread of COVID-19. To promote these messages, 18 game industry leaders in the interactive entertainment space have launched #PlayApartTogether, an initiative that encourages their vast network of users to follow the WHO’s health guidelines—including physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and other powerful preventive actions people can take to fight COVID-19.

By bringing special events, exclusives, activities, rewards and inspiration to some of the most popular games in the world, #PlayApartTogether encourages users to adopt best practices for the sake of their own health and that of their families and communities. By incorporating COVID-19 self-protection messages into games, the industry is telling the world: “Wherever you are, whatever game you play, you can make a difference.””

How to Apply: Get in touch with the people here.

Deadlines: None currently.

Intel Game Dev Boost

When:  Ongoing

What: “We promote selected titles in our social channels. The value of this benefit is estimated at $5,000 per title. Additionally, your game will be considered for other Intel Game Dev Boost activities like email campaigns, event demonstrations, and game bundles”

How to Apply: Post your game as a project on Intel® DevMesh under the Game Development topic. If you don’t already have a profile, you need to set one up first. Complete the process using these instructions. Once your game meets all the criteria, you are eligible for an Intel® Game Dev Boost. Submit Your Game

Deadlines: None currently.

 

Upcoming Deadlines:

• April 24 – Steam Game Festival
• April 26 – Digital Dragons
• May 1 – IndieCade Early Submission
• May 1 – Game Developers Carnival
• Early May – PC Gaming Show
• May 10 – Escapist Indie Showcase