Today we want to share with you a list of the most important international board game festivals that you should not miss. These festivals are not only a unique opportunity to meet other board game fans and game publishers from all over the world, but also to discover new creations and trends in the sector.
1. Spiel Essen (Germany)
Spiel – Essen is the world’s largest festival dedicated exclusively to board games. Every year, more than 1,500 exhibitors from all over the world gather in Essen to present their latest games and prototypes. With more than 190,000 visitors, Spiel is a unique experience not to be missed by board game lovers.
2. Gen Con – Indianapolis (USA)
Gen Con is the oldest board game festival in the world and one of the largest in North America. It was founded in 1968 by Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons. The first Gen Con was held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and it was a small gathering of friends who wanted to play games together.
Each year, more than 70,000 people gather in Indianapolis to play board games, role-playing games, collectible card games and strategy games.
In addition to gaming, Gen Con also offers a host of workshops, seminars and talks for fans. It’s a great place for gamers of all ages and experience levels to come together and celebrate their love of games. It is also a great place to meet new people, learn about new games, and find new gaming friends.
3. UK Games Expo – Birmingham (UK)
UK Games Expo is the UK’s largest annual festival dedicated to board games and role-playing games. With more than 40,000 visitors each year, the UK Games Expo is an opportunity to try out the latest releases, enjoy tabletop game culture and meet game publishers as a game designer.
The UK Games Expo features a wide variety of activities for gamers of all ages and experience levels. There are hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest board games, role-playing games, and other tabletop games.
Visitors can also attend talks and workshops given by experts in the gaming industry, and meet other gamers from all over the UK and the world.
4. Cannes Games Festival (France)
Cannes Games Festival is a board game and video game festival held at the Palais des Festivals, the same venue as the Cannes Film Festival.
This festival is an opportunity to meet game designers and game publishers, as well as to try out the latest creations in the industry.
The festival has a large exhibit hall where you can set up a booth to showcase your game. This is a great opportunity to get feedback from potential players and buyers, and to make connections with publishers.
Cannes Games Festival also hosts a variety of table game competitions. Overall, the festival is a great way to give more visibility to your game and win prizes.
5. Tokyo Game Market (Japan)
Tokyo Game Show is a fantastic event for independent creators and board game fans in Japan. With more than 200 exhibitors and 30.000 attendees, the Tokyo Game Market is an opportunity to try and buy games not found in stores.
In addition to the exhibitor booths, Tokyo Game Market also features a variety of panels, workshops, and events, such as the Tabletop Symposium, which focuses on the history and culture of tabletop games.
TGM is a great way for indie game designers to get their games in front of people and to learn more about the industry. It is also a great place to make connections and to build relationships with other indie game designers and game publishers.
Why are board game festivals the place to meet game publishers?
By attending a board game festival you can showcase your game to a large audience of potential players and buyers. Better yet, you will likely meet other indie game designers and publishers, and network with people in the industry. This can help you to get your game in front of the right people, who could help you with funding, and also learn more about the industry.
Remember that festivals are a great way to get feedback on your game from potential players and buyers. This feedback can help you to improve your game and make it more appealing to publishers further in the future.
If you attend these festivals with an open mind and a predisposition to speak to as many people as you can, you’ll be able to use them as a great learning opportunity.
Tips for meeting game publishers at a board game festival:
- Do your research: Find out which publishers are attending the festival and what types of games they are interested in.
- Bring a prototype of your game: This will give publishers a chance to see your game and play it. Using a game design software like Tabletop creator will help you out with this.
- Be prepared to answer questions: Publishers will want to know about your game, such as the genre, the target audience, and the gameplay.
- Be professional: Dress appropriately and be polite and respectful to publishers.
- Don’t give up!: It may take some time to find a publisher who is interested in your game, but don’t give up. Keep networking and meeting people, and eventually you will find the right publisher for your game.
These are just some of the most important festivals in the world. Attending one of them can be a unique and unforgettable experience for any board game lover, as well as a great opportunity to meet game publisher interested in your game.
Which of these festivals would you like to visit? Do you know any others? Share them with us in the comment section below!
