Tabletop G+ SPIEL 2026: The Board Game Industry on the Cusp of Digitalisation Board and card games are the epitome of the analogue world – and yet they face the very same issues that preoccupy their digital counterparts. At Spiel 2026 in Essen, we asked people from the industry for their views on AI and its convergence with video games. By Melanie Döring • 4 min read
Nerds at Rave (Picture: Rainer Keuenhof/Nerds at Rave) Events Nerds at Rave is Creating a Party Atmosphere at MAG-C After the trade fair comes the party: the MAG-C community trade fair is once again organising an evening programme on the first day of the event in 2027. Nerds at Rave is once again in charge of the music and entertainment programme. By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
Indie Treasures Sale 2026 (c) Toukana Interactive Products 200 Studios, 1 Event: Toukana Interactive Organises the Indie Treasures Sale Over 200 indie studios are joining forces for the Indie Treasures Sale on Steam, led by Berlin-based indie studio Toukana Interactive. The aim is to showcase the independent games industry and give smaller games more visibility, just ahead of the release of GTA VI. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
Jim-A Graham (right) of Wizards of the Coast accepting the award for Equality Impact on behalf of Women+ in Magic (TCG Awards) Tabletop TCG Awards 2026 Honour Women+ in Magic, Star Wars: Unlimited Wins Several Prizes At the inaugural TCG Awards at Spiel Essen, Star Wars: Unlimited won the most prizes while the big three TCGs went home empty-handed. Honoured for their engagement were Women+ in Magic, creator Pleasant Kenobi and the Mulligan TCG Shop from Hamburg. By Pascal Wagner • 2 min read
(From left to right): Christopher Flato (ESBD), Mayor Maria Helmis-Arend (Cologne), Katrin Lögering (Green Party Member of the State Parliament for North Rhine-Westphalia) and Florian Weber (Cologne District Association) (c) Viola Schuldner/ESBD Esports German Esports Summit 2026 & German Esports Award The German Esports Summit 2026 brought together representatives from the worlds of esports, politics, business, education, and industry associations at the Xperion in Cologne. During the event, the inaugural German Esports Award was presented. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
Paris Game Biz 2026 (c) Christophe Lemaître Events Paris Game Biz 2026 Recap Over 650 meetings took place in two days at Paris Game Biz 2026. With a total of 230 participants, it was the most international lineup to date. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
The winners of the Spiel 2026 awards (Melanie Döring) Tabletop Kick-Off for Spiel 2026 in Essen: Awards, Growing Numbers and Future Issues The international board game industry as well as the community gather in Essen, Germany, to show, try and celebrate the newest games at Spiel 2026, the world’s largest board game fair. We’ve covered the opening event and awards here. By Melanie Döring • 4 min read
(SimRacing Expo) Events SimRacing Expo Sees Record High of 29,580 Attendants The 2026 SimRacing Expo was the biggest yet. The event in Frankfurt will return on 17-18 September 2027. By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read
(GDC 2026) Events GDC Moves From Five to Four Days in 2027 With one day less than 2026, the GDC Festival of Gaming 2027 promises a denser program. The new business hall will deliver dedicated meeting spaces. The organisers promise more content on "the days when the community is most active". By Pascal Wagner • 1 min read
(Picture: Play! Con/Laura Scholzen) Events Play! Con Expects 90 Exhibitors For Its Fifth Edition Shortly before the start of the 5th edition, the organisers of Play! Con in Trier have released details of the programme. Around 90 exhibitors will be bringing games, racing, cosplay, technology and even wrestling to Trier. By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
Events PressEngine Announces In-Person Press and Creator Event The Pre-Show A face-to-face event designed to bring together the press and creators with developers of upcoming games – that is the concept behind ‘The Pre-Show’, a new event that PressEngine has planned for late November in London. By Stephan Steininger • 1 min read
gamescom latam 2026 © game, Koelnmesse Brasil Events Gamescom Latam 2027: Call for Speakers and BIG Festival's Indie Game Submissions Calls for speaker proposals are now open for gamescom latam 2027. Submissions are also open for free indie game exhibitor opportunities at BIG Festival. By Marcel Kleffmann • 2 min read
