As the first half comes to a close, gamers of all kinds will agree that 2024 is shaping up to be a year full of excitement. From electrifying esports tournaments to industry conferences, the calendar is jam-packed with events sure to ignite your passion.
Whether you yearn for the thrill of competition or a chance to mingle with fellow enthusiasts, there’s something for every gamer. By continuing reading, you will find out the must-attend experiences that will have you grabbing your controllers. We highlight the top events, when and where they are, and what they have to offer.
The Early Bird Events (January – Early June)
Before we look at the upcoming events, let’s recap some previous ones. The year kicked off with a global focus, where Copenhagen Gaming Week (January 12-14) set the stage for an unforgettable experience. As spring arrived, the focus shifted to the broader gaming culture. To start off the season was the London Games Festival (April 9-27) in the United Kingdom. The festival included industry talks, networking events, and showcases of new game releases such as Steel Seed and Island of Winds.
Taking a unique approach, the Games Mental Health Summit (June 3) tackled the increasingly recognized link between gaming and mental well-being. This summit brings together game developers, mental health professionals, and researchers to explore ways to promote responsible gaming practices and create games that support positive mental health.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s focus on some of the top events, game shows, and exhibitions to look forward to.
SBC Summit 2024 (September 24-26)
This major event will take place in Lisbon and will focus on global sports betting and the iGaming industry. It will feature over 450 speakers across various conference formats and a massive exhibition floor.
Moreover, the summit will be a hub for various companies across the online casino and iGaming industries. This will give you an opportunity to connect with leading gambling operators, affiliates that market and provide top online casino reviews, as well as game developers that are presenting their latest releases.
Whether you’re a gaming professional or just starting out, SBC Summit 2024 is the place to be. You will learn about the future of the industry, discover new technologies, and connect with potential partners.
GDC x London Tech Week (June 11)
This is a collaboration between GDC (Game Developers Conference) and London Tech Week. With GDC taking center stage, game developers will get the chance to showcase their work. You don’t want to miss out on this event, as you’ll learn a lot about the latest game development trends.
Develop: Brighton (July 10-11)
This conference will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole and is aimed at gathering professionals in the video game development industry. It’s a big deal in the UK, being the only event that brings the entirety of the game-making industry together.
What’s more, this top-notch conference will dive deep into specific areas of game development with 10 tracks covering everything from roundtable and indie bootcamp to art and design. Expect practical, skill-building sessions delivered by industry experts. Whether you’re a global superstar in the gaming industry or a small indie developer, this event is perfect to make connections and grow within the field.
BitSummit (July 19-21)
BitSummit is a major independent game developer festival held annually in Kyoto, Japan. It’s considered Japan’s largest indie game event. The festival is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating indie games from all over the world. It’s a great platform for independent developers to connect with players, media, and potential partners.
This must-attend event is considered the world’s largest gaming convention and will take place in Cologne, Germany. Gamescom is a major venue for game developers and publishers to showcase upcoming releases, hold press conferences, and announce new games.
This massive event also offers a glimpse into the future of gaming, where major publishers will be showcasing their latest and greatest titles. They will also exhibit virtual reality experiences, developer talks, and a bustling business zone.
PAX West (August 30-September 2)
PAX West is a celebration of gaming and gaming culture that will take place in Seattle, Washington. It’s one of the four major PAX events held throughout the year, alongside PAX East, PAX Aus, and PAX Unplugged.
PAX West features a wide range of panels and discussions on a variety of gaming topics, from game development and design to esports and gaming culture.
The GDN P2P Networking Event (September 1-3)
GDN stands for Game Developers Network, and their P2P event emphasizes pre-scheduled business meetings between industry members. This event will be held in Croatia and is specifically built around creating opportunities for game developers, publishers, distributors, and service providers. They’ll get a chance to connect and make meaningful business connections
Tokyo Game Show (September 26-29)
For those with a taste for Asian gaming culture, this premier event showcases the latest titles and hardware from Japanese developers and international companies. They’ll also get a glimpse into the latest Japanese releases and the biggest gaming trends of 2024 so far.
While the focus is on Japanese games, the Tokyo Game Show also features exhibits from international developers and publishers, making it a truly global gaming event.
New Zealand Games Developers Conference (October 17-19)
Another exhibition is the New Zealand Games Developers Conference (NZGDC). This three-day conference caters to developers of all levels, with workshops, keynotes, and networking opportunities specifically tailored to the New Zealand gaming industry. It’s a great platform to learn, connect, and celebrate the thriving game development scene in this region.
What’s on in 2024?
While we have already mentioned the top events for this year, there’s still more to keep an eye on. Some that are soon approaching include the XP Game Summit, HIT Games Conference Barcelona, and Twitchcon Europe. Be sure to mark your calendar, and don’t miss out!
