First Playable 2026, the business event for the Italian video game sector organised by IIDEA — the association representing the video game industry in Italy — and the Toscana Film Commission, set new records and saw unprecedented international participation. The event, which was held with the support of the Tuscany Region, the Fondazione CR Firenze, the Italian Trade Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as under the patronage of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy and the Ministry of Culture, is designed to accelerate the growth and consolidation of the Italian video game industry. The initiative came to life through a mix of activities, including conferences, one-on-one business meetings, roundtables, workshops, the Italian Games Award ceremony and networking opportunities.
Held from 10 to 12 June in Florence at Cinema La Compagnia – La Casa del Cinema of the Tuscany Region and the Palazzo degli Affari, First Playable has now become an international showcase of excellence for the Italian video game industry.
The eighth edition set new records, with over 700 industry professionals attending the event, including 55 international publishers, investors and agencies from 13 countries: Australia, China, South Korea, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. They were joined by over 150 Italian video game development teams and more than 120 freelancers, who held over 1,250 business meetings through the Meet To Match platform. This edition of First Playable was supported by the following partners: Epic Games (Diamond Partner); Slitherine (Platinum Partner); Caracal Games and LCA Studio Legale (Gold Partners); and Xsolla and Bologna Game Farm (Silver Partners).
The First Playable 2026 took place at the Cinema La Compagnia and the Palazzo degli Affari in Florence © Baltimore Society
The in-depth programme was also packed with content. The kick-off conference featured over 26 national and international speakers, and the nine workshops dedicated to technical and business topics provided additional opportunities for discussion and professional development. The roundtable format also generated significant interest: Nine one-to-many sessions brought together video game developers and major international industry figures to discuss strategic issues for the future of the industry.
The Italian Video Game Awards ceremony also attracted a large audience. It was followed in person and live on the Twitch and YouTube channels of media partner Multiplayer.it by over 10,000 viewers. During the evening, six trophies were awarded to the video games, professionals and companies that had distinguished themselves the most in the sector over the past year.
Marcel Kleffmann
"The eighth edition of First Playable has confirmed and reinforced the event’s role as a benchmark for the video game industry in Italy, as well as establishing it as an increasingly attractive platform for international industry players. The record numbers achieved this year demonstrate the initiative's consistent growth, but the true measure of the event's success lies in the quality of the meetings, the high calibre of the content, and the valuable networking opportunities generated. The support of institutions and our partners is essential for promoting Italian talent and entrepreneurship in the video game sector, as well as for fostering dialogue with key players in the global industry. Special thanks go to Fondazione Sistema Toscana, Fondazione CR Firenze and the Region of Tuscany, who once again contributed significantly to the event's success by providing an ideal setting in which to host it. Thanks are also due to the ICE Agency for facilitating the participation of professionals, companies and investors from around the world in Italy. We look forward to seeing you in Florence in 2027 for the next edition of First Playable." - Thalita Malagò, General Manager of IIDEA
Photos from the first day, featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions and fireside chats at Cinema La Compagnia © Baltimore Society
"The most striking indicator of First Playable’s success is the growing number of offerings that competitors from other regions are presenting to IIDEA. This shows an increasing conviction that this industrial sector — finally a prime example of the creative industries — represents a vital sector driven by young professionals and companies committed to internationalisation. Tuscany has successfully fought to ensure that this event remains in Florence. In fact, we could count on the perseverance of the Tuscany Region, which decided to leverage European funds as early as last year, as well as the clear-eyed understanding of the innovative energy of this event by the Fondazione CR Firenze. The foundation has decided to provide significant support so that First Playable can continue to take place in our city in the long term. This edition has also left us with a truly contagious burst of energy and enthusiasm. Thank you, therefore, to IIDEA, the video game creators and our valued partners, who enable us to share in this success." - Stefania Ippoliti, Director of the Toscana Film Commission
The second day of First Playable 2026 featured meetings, workshops and roundtable discussions at the Palazzo degli Affari in Florence © Baltimore Society
"For this 2026 edition, we have once again collaborated with First Playable to guide and support the international expansion of Italian video game companies — a sector in which many young people are employed and which we recognise has strong growth potential. Thanks to our network of overseas offices, we brought a delegation of 55 high-profile international industry professionals to the event. For the first time, as well as participants from Europe and North America, we also brought delegates from Asian countries to Florence, specifically Japan, China, and South Korea. This growing international presence confirms the strong interest of industry professionals worldwide in collaborating with Italy." - Matteo Masini, Director of the Consumer Goods Office at the ICE Agency
The third day of First Playable 2026 featured meetings, workshops and roundtable discussions at the Palazzo degli Affari in Florence © Baltimore Society
The next major event at which IIDEA will showcase Italian gaming excellence is gamescom 2026 in Cologne. Following its appearances at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco and the London Games Festival this year, IIDEA will be present in the Business Area to present Italian games to an international audience of industry professionals. IIDEA is also setting its sights on the Asian market and will be sending a delegation to the Tokyo Game Show in 2026.
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