August 2026

Meet ’n Play is a monthly game event held at Textielhuis in Kortrijk, taking place on the first Wednesday of every month. The event brings together gamers, game developers, and people from the local game industry in an informal and welcoming setting. Visitors can playtest upcoming games from local developers, discover new projects at an early stage, and connect with others who share an interest in games and game development. Developers are invited to showcase their work and gather valuable feedback, while attendees can enjoy a drink and casual conversations throughout the evening. Whether you’re a gamer looking to try new games, a developer seeking playtesting and networking opportunities, or simply curious about the local game scene, Meet ’n Play is open to everyone.

What is our game jam about? It’s a 9 day long on site game jam camp for female identifying game developers hosted in Belgium. We want to make connections, sit around the campfire and build some cool games! The goal is to experience the game industry in a different light and rekindle the passion that brought us here in the first place. It doesn’t matter if you’re sociable or shy, if you’re excited about making games you’re in the right spot! To be able to include everyone we are providing lodging, catering and if needed hardware, all you need to do is arrange transportation to the campsite. Applications to participate end April 3rd.

The Game Dev Afterwork is a monthly meetup open to everyone—whether you’re part of the video game industry in Belgium (professionals, students) or simply curious to discover it. By default, we meet on the second-to-last Friday of the month, starting at 5:00 PM, in a friendly, welcoming, and pressure-free atmosphere: just come grab a drink after your work week, chat, meet people, and unwind with fellow devs and enthusiasts. 📍 New: We’re back at "W" (ex- L’Atelier de La Manufacture Urbaine) in Charleroi: https://wcharleroi.be The restaurant offers a “Give Me 5” deal on Fridays before 6:00 PM, with a selection of tapas and cocktails for just €5. This will, by default, be our go-to spot for the next editions. 💡 Good to know: Everyone chooses and pays for their own drinks directly at the bar. No need to bring a prototype or portfolio (unless you’d like feedback). Registration is strongly recommended on Eventbrite: it helps us determine the space that will be allocated to us. Following the theme (like “Christmas sweaters”) are always optional. The event is meant to be easygoing: come and go whenever you like; you’re obviously not required to arrive at 5:00 PM. An activity hosted by Maracas Studio.

A two-day workshop in the run-up to gamescom on involving socio-cultural minorities in game design, and on finding funding for it. Saturday: co-design workshops 12:00-16:00, reception 16:00-17:00. Sunday: funding workshops 12:00-16:00, reception 16:00-17:00, followed by the Games [4Diversity] Showcase at 20:00.

All gamescom dev speakers and VIP ticket holders are invited to kick off the week together on Sunday afternoon. Set in the historic Wolkenburg in the heart of Cologne, this relaxed gathering offers the perfect opportunity to collect your badge early, reconnect with familiar faces, and meet fellow attendees ahead of the official speaker & VIP reception beginning at 6:00 pm. Date: Sun, Aug 23, 2026 12 pm – 6 pm Location: Wolkenburg, Cologne Access: VIP ticket, speakers

As VIP / Speaker for #gcdev 2026, we invite you to join us for exciting experience tours on Sunday, August 23. Only available to gamescom dev Speakers and gamescom Business 5 Days VIP Ticket holders. We are excited to invite you to the exclusive #gcdev 2026 side events for speakers and VIPs! As special opportunity, places for the experiences are limited, so be quick to secure your ticket. Choose from seven unique tours designed to give you an immersive experience of Cologne. Detailed information about each experience is available in the description. Spots are limited, so register early to secure your preferred tour! • Date & Time: Sunday, August 23, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM • Meeting Point: All experiences will start at Wolkenburg. Please be a few minutes early to find your tour group. • join us beforehand for the speaker & VIP beer garden at 12:00 PM at Wolkenburg • non-transferrable; no +1 allowed Experiences Triangle Walking Tour: Cologne from Above & Beyond Departure at Wolkenburg at 01:15 PM CEST This active and fun tour is perfect for guests who love to move and don’t mind heights. Participants will climb the 533 steps of the Cologne Cathedral tower for breathtaking panoramic views over the city before continuing to the “Schelzig” viewing platform with convenient elevator access. The experience continues with a scenic walk through Rhine Park and Youth Park, leading to one of Cologne’s most iconic attractions: a ride on the famous Cologne Cable Car across the Rhine River, offering unforgettable skyline views along the way. This tour combines sightseeing, activity, and spectacular perspectives of Cologne in a unique and memorable way. Guides: Aylin & Sofia Cologne Highlights: History & Culture Departure at Wolkenburg at 01:15 PM CEST Discover the fascinating history and vibrant culture of Cologne on this guided city experience. Enjoy a relaxed and enjoyable walk through one of Germany’s oldest and most iconic cities while exploring Cologne’s most famous landmarks and hidden stories. The tour includes highlights such as the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, the charming Old Town, and the famous Hohenzollern Bridge with its countless love locks and panoramic Rhine views. Participants will also discover the birthplace of the original Eau de Cologne and gain insights into the unique Rhinelander lifestyle, local traditions, and Cologne’s open-minded culture. This experience offers the perfect mix of history, architecture, culture, and authentic local atmosphere. Guide: Narella Serial Killer Exhibition Cologne - Tour 1 Departure at Wolkenburg at 01:15 PM CEST Step into the darker side of criminal history with a guided visit to the Serial Killer Exhibition in Cologne. This immersive and thought-provoking exhibition explores some of the world’s most notorious serial killers, historic criminal cases, forensic methods, psychological profiles, and investigative techniques. Participants will gain insights into real criminal investigations, the evolution of forensic science, and the societal impact of infamous crimes throughout history. The exhibition combines original artifacts, multimedia installations, documentary material, and interactive elements to create a unique and engaging experience. This activity offers an unusual and memorable perspective for guests interested in true crime, psychology, and criminal investigation. Guides: Luke & Anton Serial Killer Exhibition Cologne - Tour 2 Departure at Wolkenburg at 01:30 PM CEST Step into the darker side of criminal history with a guided visit to the Serial Killer Exhibition in Cologne. This immersive and thought-provoking exhibition explores some of the world’s most notorious serial killers, historic criminal cases, forensic methods, psychological profiles, and investigative techniques. Participants will gain insights into real criminal investigations, the evolution of forensic science, and the societal impact of infamous crimes throughout history. The exhibition combines original artifacts, multimedia installations, documentary material, and interactive elements to create a unique and engaging experience. This activity offers an unusual and memorable perspective for guests interested in true crime, psychology, and criminal investigation. Guides: Luke & Anton Grappling Seminar Departure at Wolkenburg at 01:15 PM CEST 'Jiu Jitsu ist the art of folding clothes while people are still wearing them' - Unknown Wise Guy In this Seminar we will give you an introduction into the art of Jiu Jitsu accompanied by games and drills based on the different stages of a (no-gi) Jiu Jitsu match. The experienced coaches at Game Theory Jiu Jitsu will safely guide you through the experience. Bring normal sportswear (no shoes needed, no clothes with zippers!), flip-flops/slippers, a water bottle and a towel. Suitable for all levels and ages. Participation at own risk. Guide: Nico gamescom dev speaker & VIP beer garden — no sign-up required gamescom dev sp…

Speakers and VIP attendees arriving early are welcome to take part in a selection of curated experiences and activities across Cologne: Triangle Walking Tour: Cologne from Above and Beyond This active and fun tour is perfect for guests who love to move and don’t mind heights. Climb the 533 steps of the Cathedral tower for breathtaking panoramic views before visiting the KölnTriangle viewing platform with convenient elevator access. The experience continues with a walk through Rhine Park and Youth Park, and a ride on the famous Cable Car across the Rhine River, offering unforgettable skyline views along the way. This tour combines sightseeing, activity, and spectacular perspectives of Cologne in a unique and memorable way. Cologne Highlights: History & Culture Overview Discover the fascinating history and vibrant culture of Cologne on this guided city experience. The tour includes highlights such as the magnificent Cathedral, the charming Old Town, and the famous Hohenzollern Bridge with its countless love locks. Participants will also discover the birthplace of the original Eau de Cologne and gain insights into the unique Rhinelander lifestyle, local traditions, and Cologne’s open-minded culture. This experience offers the perfect mix of history, architecture, culture, and authentic local atmosphere. Serial Killer Exhibition Cologne Step into the darker side of criminal history: this immersive and thought-provoking exhibition explores some of the world’s most notorious serial killers, historic criminal cases, forensic methods, psychological profiles, and investigative techniques. Participants will gain insights into real criminal investigations, the evolution of forensic science, and the societal impact of infamous crimes throughout history. The exhibition combines original artifacts, multimedia installations, documentary material, and interactive elements to create a unique and engaging experience. Jiu Jitsu Seminar “Jiu Jitsu ist the art of folding clothes while people are still wearing them.” – Unknown Wise Guy In this seminar, we will give you an introduction into the art of Jiu Jitsu, accompanied by games and drills based on the different stages of a (no-gi) Jiu Jitsu match. The experienced coaches at Game Theory Jiu Jitsu will safely guide you through the experience. Bring normal sportswear (no shoes needed, no clothes with zippers!), flip-flops/slippers, a water bottle and a towel. Date: Sun, Aug 23, 2026 from 1 pm Location: Cologne, Germany Access: VIP ticket, speakers

Join us this August for our Pre-gamescom dev Event in Cologne and meet both familiar and new faces from the indie games scene. As Europe’s most important week for the games industry approaches, we are especially excited to create space for international exchange, fresh conversations, and meaningful connections before the rush begins.Our goal is to actively strengthen networking among developers in NRW while offering an open and welcoming contact point for feedback, support, and exchange.Come be part of the Indie Developer Stammtisch, a relaxed and friendly meetup for indie developers and everyone passionate about indie games. Whether you already work in the industry, want to become part of it, or simply love indie games, you are very welcome to join us.Let’s come together to connect, share ideas, and talk about the topics that move our scene. From game development and industry insights to creative challenges and new opportunities, this is the perfect place to meet, exchange, and get inspired before gamescom week kicks off.Please be aware that this event is not an official gamescom dev or gamescom event and is organized independently by Indie Hub. Notice on Photo and Video RecordingPlease note that photos and videos will be taken during the event. These recordings may be used and published for event coverage, public relations, and documentation purposes.

Join international C-level executives, renowned speakers, and industry VIPs for an exclusive evening in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Taking place on the eve of gamescom dev 2026, the speaker & VIP reception offers a valuable opportunity to connect with industry leaders and decision-makers before the conference officially begins. Date: Sun, Aug 23, 2026 6 pm – 11 pm Location: Wolkenburg, Cologne Access: VIP ticket, speakers, by invitation

Join us for a night filled with playful perspectives, unexpected stories, and bold experiments in inclusion, representation, and identity. Expect a colourful crowd, games that make you think (and feel), and a space that's open, relaxed, and inclusive!

Meet all relevant publishers, investors, and developers during one of the largest games industry gatherings in Cologne. In 2025, almost 3.000 people registered! Join the best matchmaking service in the games industry, during the largest trade show of Europe! MeetToMatch – The Cologne Edition 2026, powered by Xsolla is your most relevant platform for business in the games industry during Cologne since 2016. Trusted by hundreds of publishers, investors, governments, and developers, our platform enables you to get in contact with the right people from game companies around the world. Easily schedule on-site meetings at Koelnmesse booths, designated meeting points, or nearby hotels. No need to negotiate locations or worry about access restrictions, as the system automatically assigns a meeting spot available to both you and your meeting partner. Our user-friendly platform is highly appreciated by many industry professionals, and our dedicated service team is ready to assist you before and during the event, both online and on-site in Cologne. Your experience is what we care about. Compile your own agenda with relevant meetings and content, and you are ready to go. Sign up today! Note: you will receive your login credentials to the MeetToMatch platform starting June 16th, latest. Note 2: The MeetToMatch ticket does not include access to the Koelnmesse or other devcom/gamescom activities. Access to the devcom/gamescom business area requires an additional ticket/trade visitor pass. B2B meetings made easy Plan your meetings at various locations such as a company's booth in the halls of the Koelnmesse, a meeting point, a restaurant, or any other location of your choice. Do you have your own private location? Let us know and we'll make sure all your meetings will be booked there! 2025 was great, but 2026 is going to be even bigger and better! With just under 3.000 participants, the onsite 2025 Edition led to more than 11.300 confirmed meetings. So what are you waiting for? Get access, and start scheduling right away! MeetToMatch - The Cologne Edition 2026 is powered by: Sponsors 2026: Country Partners 2026: Event Partners 2026: Some of the companies already signed up: More info on https://www.meettomatch.com/cologne/ Important : • The information provided when ordering your ticket is used to create a MeetToMatch account for the Cologne Edition 2026, powered by Xsolla. • The MeetToMatch ticket does not give you access to the Koelnmesse or other gamescom activities, for which you may need to purchase access separately. • The current setup of events is on-site only. MeetToMatch may add virtual functionalities when the necessity or opportunity arises. This decision is solely at the discretion of MeetToMatch, and can be made without prior notice. • This event is strongly connected to existing events such as GDC, DICE, ChinaJoy, Tokyo Game Show, and gamescom. In case these event dates change, the event dates of the MeetToMatch Flagship Event(s) might change accordingly. • On-site event cancellation due to force majeure events, might result in the event being turned fully online. This decision is solely at the discretion of MeetToMatch and can be made without prior notice. • A decision to fully change to virtual, likely results in an extension of opening hours due to the consideration of the different time zones of participants. • There will be no refund opportunities available, as the delivery of services starts immediately.

Join the gamescom dev leadership events to network with top game industry leaders, exchange expertise, and gain actionable insights on management, innovation, and studio growth.

Come warm up for Gamescom! Take a break before the conference and join us in Rheinpark for a relaxed picnic with indie game founders, aspiring studio founders, and developers. It's a chance to enjoy one of Cologne's most beautiful parks, get some fresh air, have lunch, and connect with the community. Bring your own lunch, grab something on the way, or simply come along to chat. What we'll discuss • Starting and growing an indie game studio • Funding, publishing, and business development • Building teams and finding collaborators • The support founders actually need • Building a stronger indie games community Who should attend? • Indie game founders • Aspiring studio founders • Solo developers • Startup teams • Community builders and industry supporters 📍 Location: Rheinpark, Cologne (~10-minute walk from Koelnmesse) 🗓 Date: Monday, 24 August 🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 🥪 Bring: Your lunch (optional) and yourself! 💬 Cost: Free Join The Games Ark Discord for future meetups, founder discussions, opportunities, and community updates: https://discord.gg/buJvtQnnFV Kommt mit uns in Stimmung für die Gamescom! Trefft The Games Ark zu einem entspannten Picknick im Rheinpark, nur etwa 10 Minuten zu Fuß von der Koelnmesse entfernt. Lernt Indie-Game-Gründer:innen, Entwickler:innen und Startup-Teams kennen, tauscht Ideen aus und sprecht mit uns über die Zukunft der Indie-Games-Branche. Themen: • Indie-Studios aufbauen • Finanzierung & Publishing • Teamaufbau • Unterstützung für Gründer:innen • Eine stärkere Indie-Community 📍 Rheinpark, Köln 🗓 Montag, 24. August 🕛 12:00–14:00 Uhr 🥪 Eigenes Mittagessen optional 💬 Kostenlos Tretet dem The Games Ark Discord bei, um über zukünftige Meetups und Community-Updates informiert zu bleiben: https://discord.gg/buJvtQnnFV

FastSpring, the payments platform behind D2C web stores for game publishers worldwide, invites all gamescom dev attendees to join us for an informal beer reception on Monday afternoon. Connect with the people you’ve been meaning to catch up with over cold drinks in a relaxed setting. No agenda, just good company and great beer. See you there! Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2026 3 pm – 5 pm Location: Confex, reception area Access: all ticket categories

THIS IS A PRIVATE EVENT. PLEASE DO NOT RSVP IF YOU WERE NOT EXPLICITLY INVITED. Gamescom week starts Monday. Before the dinners and the late nights, come have a drink with us on a rooftop. In Good Company is a bunch of amazing people from across the games industry, a bar, good food, and three hours to actually talk to each other. The people you've been meaning to catch up with, in a room where that's the entire point. Hosted by Vivrato, Tadhana, Zebra Partners and Didimo. Monday 24 August 2026 · 16:00–19:00 Rooftop 58 · Hohenzollernring 58, 50672 Cologne Open bar with Kölsch on tap, wine and alcohol-free options. Passed food. Standing reception. Space is limited to 100. If you're in Cologne, come early and start the week right. RSVP quick and show your beautiful face!

The gamescom dev awards ceremony will take place on Monday afternoon! In 4 categories, we will honor the best titles from the gamescom dev indie expo. Additionally, we will recognise outstanding individuals and teams, selected and voted for by our speakers, who will be celebrated for their work and achievements in the gaming industry in two more award categories. → Read more here Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2026 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm Location: Confex, Keynote Stage Access: all ticket categories

The Games Growth Guild is heading to Cologne for gamescom 2026! Join 300+ marketers from indie to AAA studios (including teams from Riot, Sony, Activision, Scopely and EA) for an evening built around honest conversation about games growth. Expect two hours of panels followed by two hours of networking over drinks and nibbles. 📅 Monday 24th August 2026 🕔 17:00 to 21:00 (local time) 📍 Rheinloft Cologne, Frankenwerft 35, Köln 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘀 #1 Building Games That Win: Market Fit, Momentum, and the Modern Player Journey (17:15-18:00) Samuel Clarke (Co-Founder + Chief Strategy Officer, PUBLSH) Matt Dixon (Chief Growth Officer, Starbreeze/Payday) Mark Cook (Head of Marketing, Supercell) #2 Built to Be Shared (18:15 to 19:00) How games earn attention and turn players into the channel. The panel covers shareability by design, getting your game into the right hands, native and quick content, and authenticity vs try-hard. Speakers: • Kyle Billings, Director, Strategy & Biz Ops, Epic Games • Davey Robson, Senior Influencer Marketing Manager, Kepler Interactive • Lucy James, Founder, lookingfor.game (Moderator) 𝗜𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵: Medal - 15M players use Medal to share gaming moments and discover new games. PUBLSH - A Next Generation consulting group that sets a new standard for the video game publishing industry. We offer business development, product strategy and marketing solutions to enable developers and investors to achieve commercial success. FirstLook - The Player CRM built for games. Your players and creators are the lifeblood of your studio. Build, own, and grow those relationships, from first invite to live ops, so every interaction compounds into lasting growth. Second Stage - Turn Insights Into Players. TRACKS is an advanced marketing intelligence and attribution platform for PC and console games. From announcement to post-launch, measure what matters across every campaign, channel, and storefront. IndieBI - We help sell more games. Track every game sold, increase revenue, build a better studio. MKRO - Explore keycap and deskmat bundles from your favorite creators, games, brands, and causes! Produced with premium Infinikey products and providers. Spots are limited. Register your interest now! gamesgrowth.com Note: Panels are first come first served seating.

We're bringing together talented developers and publishers from around the world during Gamescom and connecting them directly with press, media, content creators, and industry professionals. The evening kicks off with an exclusive press and industry hour from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, followed by extended admission from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM for even more demos, conversations, and discovery.

The gamescom dev speaker & VIP mixer is powered by On Monday afternoon, all speakers and VIP ticket holders are invited to join our exclusive mixer in the VIP Lounge. Enjoy drinks, continue conversations from the conference, exchange ideas with fellow professionals, and expand your network in a relaxed and informal setting. Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2026 5 pm – 7 pm Location: Confex, VIP lounge Access: VIP ticket, speakers

Gamescom Happy Hour — Hosted by Origin Lab, Google & RocketRide Kick off Gamescom week the right way. We're taking over Suderman's terrace for an evening of good drinks, Detroit-style pizza, and a conversation that could be worth real money to your studio. Your games are sitting on an asset you're not monetizing yet: the gameplay data they generate every single day. We'll show you exactly how Origin Lab turns that into a new, ongoing revenue stream — no rebuild, no disruption to your live game, just a royalty check on something you already own. Come talk numbers with us over a drink. No pitch decks, no pressure — just real conversation about what this could look like for your studio. 📍 Suderman — Cologne (terrace) 🗓️ Monday, August 24, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM 🍕 Open bar + Detroit-style pizza all night 🎮 Studios & publishers only Space on the terrace is limited — RSVP to lock your spot.

Join AWS, Helpshift, and WIGI for an evening honoring the women driving gaming's future. Monday, August 24, 6pm–9pm, Cologne.

Das GAME:IN Get Together zum Start der Messewoche! Wir wollen die Woche in angenehmer Atmosphäre mit netten Gesprächen einläuten. Das gemeinsame Networking soll hier im Vordergrund stehen. Dabei laden wir euch auf die ersten zwei Getränke ein!* FLINTA* (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-Binary, Trans & Agender) als auch Allys aus der Games-Branche sind herzlich willkommen! Bitte lest vorab unsere Safer Space Policy, damit es nicht nur ein schöner, sondern auch sicherer Abend für alle wird. *Alle weiteren Getränke sind auf eigene Kosten, zudem sind nur alkoholfreie Getränke an dem Abend an der Bar verfügbar. Einlass Zugang zur Location Lost Level (Kyffhäuserstraße 39, 50674 Köln) haben an diesem Abend nur Personen, die sich via Eventbrite vorab angemeldet haben. Achtet für den gesicherten Anlass darauf, einen gültigen Lichtbildausweis, Visitenkarte oder euer LinkedIn-Profil bei Einlass vorweisen zu können. Dieser genügt mit unserer Teilnehmer:innen-Liste, ihr braucht das Eventbrite-Ticket weder physisch noch digital mitzuführen. Tickets & Warteliste Die Warteliste ist bei uns jederzeit aktiv, da wir die Tickets händisch freigeben. Behaltet also unbedingt eure E-Mails im Auge, da ihr das Wartelisten-Ticket dann noch bestätigen müsst (innerhalb von 24h). Solltet ihr nichts von uns hören ist das Event leider ausgebucht. Sobald Tickets zurückgegeben werden, geben wir sie nach und nach wieder raus. Wenn ihr euch unsicher seid, schreibt uns gerne eine kurze E-Mail oder Nachricht im Discord. Ablauf • 18:00 Uhr - Get In • 19:00 Uhr - Offizielle Begrüßung • 23:00 Uhr - Ende der Veranstaltung Bei Fragen erreicht ihr uns unter [email protected] Wir freuen uns auf euch!

An invitation-only evening for senior games industry leaders, powered by Google Cloud & ThinkingAI. The gamescom dev leadership dinner is one of our most exclusive networking events, bringing together senior executives and decision-makers from the games industry for an evening of meaningful conversations, new connections, and great food. Hosted at The ASH Köln MesseCity, just a few steps from the gamescom dev conference grounds, the dinner welcomes up to 70 invited guests in a relaxed and personal setting. Away from the pace of the conference, it’s an opportunity to spend time with peers, continue conversations from the day, make new connections, and enjoy the evening together over dinner and drinks. Access is by invitation only. Agenda: 🕕 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM | Guest Arrival, Networking & Drinks Arrive, grab a drink, and connect with fellow guests before dinner. 🪑 6:45 PM – 7:00 PM | Seating Guests will be invited to take their seats for the evening. 🎤 7:00 PM – 7:10 PM | Welcome A short welcome from gamescom dev and our partners, Google Cloud and ThinkingAI. 🍽️ From 7:10 PM | Dinner Dinner service begins, with plenty of time for conversations around the table throughout the evening. 11:00 PM | End of Event We’re looking forward to spending the evening with you. Partner appreciation: Google Cloud empowers game creators to build the next generation of immersive worlds. With secure infrastructure and cutting-edge AI, we help studios unlock new player experiences and accelerate development by automating manual tasks, freeing teams for higher-order creative endeavors. ThinkingAI is an Agentic Product Analytics platform that helps organizations turn data into results. ThinkingAI is used by over 1,500 companies globally to monitor performance, investigate issues, and automate actions across key business workflows.

Before the week gets underway, we'd love to get together with our partners and friends for a relaxed evening filled with good conversations.

On Monday evening, all gamescom dev attendees are invited to unwind together at the Confex outdoor area. Join our community for an evening of music, drinks, and relaxed networking in one of the most enjoyable and informal settings of the week. Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2026 7:00 pm – 11 pm Location: Confex, outdoor area Access: all ticket categories

Yes, there's a beach on the Rhine and luckily for us, it's less than a 15 minute walk from Gamescom. Join Sentry and Perforce as we take over a private VIP beach club on Cologne's waterfront for an evening with the developer community. Spend the night playing vintage arcade games, enjoying great food and drinks, snagging exclusive swag, and taking in sunset views of Cologne Cathedral and river while our DJ keeps the vibes ever so high. Space is limited so snag your spot in the sand! ------ ABOUT SENTRY Sentry helps every developer detect, understand, and fix broken code, fast. Using Sentry’s debugging platform decreases resolution time from days to minutes, giving developers more time to do the stuff they love, all while making customers happier. Sentry is used by over 4 million developers and 150,000 organizations, including Disney+, Cloudflare, GitHub, Anthropic, Vercel, and Atlassian. ABOUT PERFORCE Perforce delivers a DevOps Tech Stack for teams building and running high-stakes software systems and revenue-critical applications, where failure is not an option. As a trusted partner helping organizations govern software delivery for AI, Perforce solutions enforce guardrails across code, quality, infrastructure, and data—enabling innovation without introducing risk. With customers in over 80 countries—including more than 75% of the Fortune 100 and 50% of the Global 500—Perforce is trusted by the world’s most innovative teams to build, test, secure, and deliver critical software at scale.

Kick off Gamescom with coffee, conversation and new connections. Join fellow professionals working in Live Service Games- people who understand the unique challenges of ongoing live delivery - to exchange best practices, share lessons learned and swap a few hard-earned war stories. This coffee meetup is part of the Community Clubhouse, an official partner of the Gamescom Dev Conference. A conference ticket is required to access the event. Through the Community Clubhouse, you can get a Gamescom Dev Conference ticket for €399, reduced from €599. Visit gamescomdevclubhouse.com to request your partner code. Only 350 partner codes are available, so make sure you claim yours before they’re gone. Start your Gamescom with coffee and even better conversation NOTE: All attendees will get a 20% discount code for LiveServiceGamesSummit London (8-9 September)

Meeting system for the game industry

25 studios from Switzerland, New Zealand, and Spain, pitch their PC/Console games to publishers and investors. Schedule, Tuesday, August 25th 2026: • 11:15 - Doors open • 11:30 - 13:30 SwissGames - Pitch Session • ~12:30 - 13:30 Lunch will be available between sessions • 13:30 - 15:30 NZ CODE - Pitch Session • 15:30 - 17:30 Catalan Arts - Pitch Session Water, Coffee, Tea, and Soft Drinks freely available during the entire day. For those who sign up who are on MeetToMatch as well. Surrounding the sessions and during downtime, we will configure the hotel as a meeting location option for you to pick, so you can schedule meetings there when no sessions are happening. Content: • PC/Console • €0 - €1.2M budgets, majority in the €100K-€500K range Location: • Dorint Hotel am Heumarkt, Pipinstraße 1, 50667 Cologne (not to be confused with the Dorint Hotel next to the Koelnmesse!) * With limited space for this session and access strictly for publishers, investors, and major platform-holders, the organizers of the session will manually approve your sign-up. You are only able to attend if you receive formal email confirmation of approval, this will be checked upon entering the venue before the pitch session starts. 11:00 Doors open 11:30 - 13:30 SwissGames - Pitch Session — SwissGames with 8 PC/Console games from the Swiss delegation ~12:30 - 13:30 Lunch will be available between sessions 13:30 - 15:30 NZ CODE - Pitch Session — NZ Code with 8 PC/Console games from the New Zealand delegation 15:30 - 17:30 Catalan Arts - Pitch Session — Catalan Arts with 9 PC/Console games from the Spanish Catalonian delegation

Title: Play it forward: how gaming gives back Description: A charity-focused panel in gaming, exploring how brands and studios can drive social good Panelists: Felix Bradshaw - Chief Business Officer, Planet Play Berkley Egenes - Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, Xsolla Jude Ower, Host, Good Game Club Podcast (Moderator) Susanna Pollack, President, Games for Change Check out this speaking session at the Xsolla Clubhouse, Deutz-Mülheimer-Straße 22a

A plated lunch hang for game studio animators, producers and executives during Gamescom week. Join us for a laid-back midday to chat with other animators from studios around the industry. No panels or pitches. Just good conversation and talk shop. Spots are limited. Request to join and we will confirm. Hosted by Motorica.

The gamescom dev pitch it! mixer is powered by This exclusive, invite-only side event brings together indie developers and publishers for curated networking and fast-paced pitch sessions. Selected developers will have the opportunity to present their projects directly to publishing partners before continuing conversations during open networking. → Read more here Date: Tue, Aug 25, 2026 1 pm – 4 pm Location: Confex Foyer Süd Access: by invitation

An invitation-only lunch for CTOs and technical leaders, powered by Simplygon & EPAM. The gamescom dev CTO lunch brings together a small group of CTOs and senior technical leaders from the games industry for focused peer exchange over lunch. Hosted at The ASH Köln MesseCity, directly across from the gamescom dev conference grounds, the lunch welcomes up to 70 invited guests for conversations around the technology, production, and leadership challenges shaping their teams and businesses. With a deliberately small group and a relaxed setting, the CTO lunch is an opportunity to compare experiences, exchange perspectives, and connect with peers facing many of the same technical and organizational questions. Access is by invitation only. Agenda: 🕐 1:00 PM – 1:25 PM | Guest Arrival & Seating Arrive, meet fellow guests, and take your seat for lunch. 🎤 1:25 PM – 1:30 PM | Welcome A short welcome from our partners. 🍽️ From 1:30 PM | Lunch & Conversation Lunch service begins, with time to exchange ideas and perspectives with technical leaders from the industry. 3:00 PM | End of Event We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the first gamescom dev CTO lunch. Partner appreciation: EPAM Systems, Inc. (EPAM) is a global leader in AI transformation engineering and integrated consulting. Simplygon is the industry standard for automated 3D optimization. With 20 years of experience and contributions to over 1,000 AAA game productions, Simplygon helps studios reduce manual work, improve performance, and empower artists to focus on creating great games.

Come meet the team behind the games — we will be in Cologne! Talk games with the devs: ask about design choices, missions, and the systems that shape your favourite campaigns, straight from the people building them. A community like no other: meet fellow players who share your passion for Paradox games. Play & win: take part in our social mixer game for a chance to win tickets to Paradox in Concert! Refreshments on us, because great conversations deserve great snacks. Spots are limited, register now.

Meet Amber, a global game development company and network of specialized studios, over a local Kölsch at gamescom dev 2026. Join us on Tuesday for an informal reception and conversations about the production, technology and creative challenges shaping what comes next in games. Date: Tue, Aug 25, 2026 3 pm – 5 pm Location: Confex, Expo Floor, Booth D07 Access: all ticket categories