Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Namco Studios are now announcing “The Second GYAAR Studio Indie Games Contest” for indie game creators!

The aim of this contest is to actively support indie game creators and stimulate the further game industry. The 1st contest was held in 2022, where one platinum award and seven prize-winning games were selected.
For the second contest, talented and outstanding works also will be selected and we plan to offer a total of up to 100 million JPY in support funding to those works as well.

In addition to it, Bandai Namco Group will fully support the creators with their strength and years of acquired know-how.

Blastmode received support in 2022
In the 2022 contest Dutch developer Blastmode was one of the winners with their fishing RPG ‘Sea Sniffers’.

More info 
Submission will be open from early September 2023 until early December 2023.
All current info about timelines, submission criteria, and more is listed on the contest website.

The Dutch Game Awards 2023 will take place on October 4th at Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid in Hilversum and will feature an evening filled with networking opportunities. This 2023 edition has a total of 9 regular awards + 4 special awards (by nomination only). Nominees and winners will be chosen by a dedicated jury of experts from the game industry. The entry period ends on July 1, 2023! Find all the rules and criteria here.

You can submit your game here.
And you can get your ticket here.
Read more about the event here.

The Dutch Game Day will take place on October 4 this year. Just like last year, the day is part of the Dutch Media Week, the media festival in the Netherlands. They will once again fill two tracks with speakers from the Netherlands and abroad. These speakers give a look behind the scenes at the development of their games or share their personal stories.

Of course, there will also be a central expo this year where companies can showcase their games and products, and look for customers, partners, employees, or interns.

The Dutch Game Day powered by Control is a collaboration between Dutch Media Week, Dutch Games Association, and Control. Control’s role is to program the congress. Dutch Media Week integrates the game day into its broader programming, arranges all practical matters, and establishes a connection with the wider media landscape. Dutch Games Association manages the entire game day and is the organizer of the Dutch Game Awards.

Get your ticket here.
Read more about the event here.

Professionals from Paladin Studios, KeokeN Interactive and Nixxes are coming to Dutch Game Day on October 4 to review portfolios and give feedback. These will help take the presentation of work to an (even) higher level.

For the Dutch Game Day edition it is possible for both students and professionals to have their portfolio reviewed. If you want to take advantage of this excellent opportunity, submit before September 25 using the online form. This form also provides more information about the event. Registration is free, but to participate you will also need a Dutch Game Day ticket. To learn more about the portfolio review read here (Dutch only).

Get acquainted with the creative geniuses driving Breda’s local gaming scene and be among the first to dive into their newest masterpieces.

During this event there will be games showcased, varying from thrilling action-packed escapades to thought-provoking puzzles. There’s a gaming experience tailored for every taste.

Read more and register here.

GameForce revolves around games for the most part. During the fair, you can discover the latest titles, often for the first time in the Netherlands. So if you still have some big titles on your wish list, you can try them out on GameForce.

The cosplayers who work hard every year to get a beautiful outfit ready to proudly display at GameForce are often a spectacle themselves. This year, we also have a lot of activities for cosplayers, with of course a cosplay competition where the best outfits of the weekend are rewarded. Novice cosplayers can learn a lot from experienced hands in the profession.

Read more about the event here.
And get your ticket here.

Steam Next Fest: October 2023 Edition is a multi-day celebration where fans can try out demos, chat with developers, watch live streams, and learn about upcoming games on Steam. For developers, Steam Next Fest is an opportunity to get early feedback from players and build an audience for a future launch on Steam.

Read more here.

Government grant for games.

For projects that relate to digital technology, new media or games and contribute to the quality, development or understanding of the field of digital culture.

Read more here.

UNWRAP is coming soon, bringing a two-day conference event and a game tournament day in it’s wake. It’s Industry Days take place on the 12th-13th of October and their Play Day on the 14th of October.

The UNWRAP Industry Days unite experts from gaming, music, film, and media. The Digital Entertainment Conference reveals cutting-edge trends and crossover opportunities. The career fair links job seekers with companies and networking may spark some collaborations. Plus, afterparties and concerts provide a relaxed backdrop for industry pros to connect and create.

UNWRAP Play Day is for gamers and their loved ones! It includes tournaments, e-sports, and interactive fun. Experience thrilling battles, support favorite players, and discover gaming’s wider influence in entertainment and education. Play Day brings joy, togetherness, and shared experiences through the universal language of games.

Read here for a detailed description of all events!

Test & Play is a Dutch Game Industry event open to gamers, developers, and content creators.

This edition has an “Early Halloween” theme, where all game enthusiasts, from students to indie studios, are welcome. Students and developers can showcase their games and services in a relaxed environment, followed by some arcade fun.

Sign up for one of three showcaser spots here or bring your own laptop to participate. Find more information and register here.

The second edition of the Indie Showcase event.

Save the date and see you at #IndieShowcaseNL

Read more about the event here.
Watch the after movie of the 2022 edition here.

GameSoundCon 2023 is hybrid! You can attend in person in Burbank, CA, or remotely with our online only ticket! Online access gives you real-time access to GameSoundCon sessions, live text chat and more. Both in-person and online attendees can watch sessions they missed for up to 3 months after GameSoundCon.

Casual to AAA, big studio to indie — For composers, sound designers, dialogue specialists, researchers, educators and others who want to keep up with the cutting edge in video game sound, music, dialogue and technology.

Read more here.

Meet Recruiters
Schedule 1:1 meetings with studio reps, or speed-pitch through blitz interviews

Build your Network
Connect, chat, evolve with fellow gamedev community members

Industry Presence
Promote your skills and encourage connection through the event platform’s Attendee Cards

Job Opportunities
Browse their Career Wall with multiple job openings from participating studios

Insightful Sessions
Get in on the latest hot topics of the games industry through expert tech talks and panel discussions