As game developers in London, attending industry events are always a mix of excitement and opportunity. This year, we had the privilege of attending the Games Finance Market in London on Thursday, April 11th and Friday, April 12th. It was truly an inspiring experience, and we want to share our journey and insights from this incredible event.
The Event Overview
The Games Finance Market is a premier two-day event that connects publishers, investors, studios, and platforms from around the world. With over 90 game studios and more than 40 investors, funders, and publishers in attendance, the event is a significant platform for pitching projects and forming valuable connections. This year, the event proudly welcomed an expanded suite of international delegations, thanks to a partnership with the European Games Developer Federation. This event was part of the London Games Festival, a week long series of events focusing on game developing in London and the UK.
Meeting the Industry’s Finest
One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity to meet a diverse array of individuals, from publishers and investment firms to marketing companies and fellow developers. Each meeting, scheduled for 20-30 minutes, often extended as we delved deep into the game’s vision and potential. The enthusiasm and receptivity from everyone we met, especially after they played our game, were incredibly motivating. Seeing the joy and excitement our game brought to each conversation was a rewarding experience.
Inspiring Venue and Hospitality
The event was held at the historic IET London: Savoy Place, a venue with a rich history of engineering innovation. This inspiring setting added a unique flavour to the event. Over the two days, we enjoyed well-organised lunches and breaks, providing ample time to recoup and discuss the amazing meetings we had.
Creative Exchange and Collaboration
One of the most inspiring aspects of the Games Finance Market was meeting fellow developers and seeing their creative expressions. The range of games and design documents showcased was impressive, spanning a wealth of genres and devices. It was a testament to the vibrant and diverse nature of the gaming industry.
Exceptional Organisation
A special thanks to the LGF team, especially Diego Grammatico and the Games London team, for their exceptional organisation and support throughout the event. They were always on hand to assist, ensuring everything ran smoothly. The event’s focus strictly on the games finance market this year made it even better than last year’s. Unlike the previous year when it was combined with WASD at Truman Brewery, this year’s event felt more focused and well-presented.
Insights and Opportunities
We had fruitful discussions about various opportunities in the industry, including tax credits and other grants. These conversations provided valuable insights into potential financial avenues for our projects. The website portal for organising meetings and networking was another standout feature. Its excellent UI made it easy and accessible to network and set up meetings for the two days.
Our Game Presentation
We showcased a multiplayer game that is set to be released on Steam and Console. The positive feedback and excitement it garnered were incredibly encouraging. We’re eagerly looking forward to presenting it to the public soon, so stay tuned!
Conclusion
Attending the Games Finance Market in London was an inspiring and enriching experience. It provided a unique opportunity to connect with key industry players, gain valuable insights, and showcase our game to a receptive audience. The event’s organisation, venue, and the quality of interactions were exceptional. We are extremely grateful for the experience and look forward to seeing the fruits of these connections and opportunities in the near future.
If you have the chance to attend the Games Finance Market, We highly recommend it. It’s an invaluable event for anyone in the gaming industry looking to expand their network and take their projects to the next level.
Thank you again to the Games London team, and everyone who made this event memorable.
-Team Sharbowl
