Gaming Istanbul (GIST) Returns 18–20 September

Gaming Istanbul (GIST) will bring game industry professionals, developers, publishers, creators and players together at the Istanbul Congress Center on 18–20 September 2026 for the event’s ninth edition.

The three-day event includes both a public gaming festival and a B2B program for game industry professionals. Organizers expect approximately 60,000 festival visitors and 2,500 industry attendees this year.

The GIST Festival will feature playable games and demos, studios and publishers, indie developers, artists and creators, cosplay, gaming products and community activities.

Alongside the festival, the GIST B2B program will include talks, meetings and networking for industry professionals. The conference is divided into two tracks:

📱 Mobile: Publishing, monetization, user acquisition, live operations, AI, growth and market trends.

🕹️ PC & Console: Development, publishing, production, storytelling, technology, community building and related topics.

🎤 Call for Speakers

GIST is currently accepting proposals for its B2B conference program. Developers and other game industry professionals are invited to propose talks for either the Mobile or PC & Console track.

Suggested topics include game development, publishing, monetization, user acquisition, AI, live operations, community building, marketing, business development and emerging technologies.

🎟️ Festival tickets:
https://biletino.com/en/e-1axa/gaming-istanbul-2026-uluslararasi-oyun-ve-dijital-eglence-gist-2026/?t=_MAILING_BULTEN_FN_COLLAB_1708

🤝 B2B passes:
https://biletino.com/en/e-1c1l/gaming-istanbul-2026-b2b-profesyonel/?t=_MAILING_BULTEN_FN_COLLAB_1708

IGDA Finland members can apply promocode igdafinland to get 15% off their tickets.

Gaming Istanbul 2026
📅 18–20 September 2026
📍 Istanbul Congress Center, Istanbul

Join the TIGG Summit in Helsinki Sept 16-18

The Thriving in Games Group Summit is a first-of-its-kind gathering for people working to build safer, more thoughtful games. Bringing together practitioners from game design, research, player safety, and related fields, the summit is designed for the people shaping player experiences and communities for millions of players around the world.

Held at Supercell HQ in Helsinki from September 16–18, 2026, the summit begins with an informal welcome gathering, followed by two days of talks, discussions, and hands-on workshops. The program is intentionally small, with plenty of time built in for meaningful conversations, networking, and collaboration.

Attendance is limited and requires registration and approval. Once your registration has been approved, you will receive an invoice for the ticket fee. Your place at the summit is confirmed once the invoice has been paid. IGDA Members are eligible to get 10% off their ticket, please email us at members [at] igda [dot] fi for a code to enter in the application form. Applicants from indie studios (50 employees or less) may be eligible for financial support.

Registration Link
https://luma.com/qlunvqu6

NOTE: Sign ups close on Tuesday, August 25th or when capacity has been reached.

Finnish Games Week Steam Event is happening again!

The official Steam event by Finnish Games Week is back again!

On the 12 - 18 October, Finnish Games Week will be highlighting the brilliance, talent and craft of Finnish game creators throughout history, from classics to modern games.

The criteria To get your game featured:

• published or upcoming game on Steam made by Finnish game company

• if your game is already published on Steam you can offer a discount during the FGW26 event but it is not mandatory

• if you have published multiple games, feel free to submit them as a bundle or separately

Deadline for submitting: September 1 at 6PM CET.

Go and check out what happens during Finnish Games Week on 19–23 October!
https://www.finnishgamesweek.com

Pocket Gamer NORDICS 14% OFF!

During Finnish Games Week 2026, as it is tradition PGC Nordics will take place at Wanha Satama, Helsinki on 20-21 October! Previously known as PGC Helsinki, the event returns with a new name and a broader regional focus, connecting games professionals from Finland, Scandinavia, the wider Nordic market, Northern Europe and beyond.

Whether you’re looking to close deals, meet your next investor or publisher, or simply get a clearer view of where the games industry is heading next, PGC Nordics is designed to make every conversation count. Across two packed days of networking, talks, panels and pitching, attendees can build valuable connections, gain practical insight from industry leaders, and discover emerging talent and technologies.

More than 1,500 delegates from 50+ countries are expected, with over 150 expert speakers across multiple conference tracks. The event also includes an expo area with a busy indie showcase, a Careers Zone, the traditional after-hours party, plus two bonus summits: AI Gamechangers and Beyond Games: Transmedia.

With the code MIDSOMMAR26 you will get 14% off the total price at checkout, find out more and reserve your spot at: https://www.pgconnects.com/nordics/

Get 10% off tickets for Castle Game Jam

Castle Game Jam will take place from 11–19 July 2026 in Jaunpils, Latvia, and it combines a five-day game jam, a two-day conference, and a program of shared experiences designed to help developers build, learn, and connect.

Event: Castle Game Jam 2026
Dates: 11–19 July 2026
Location: Jaunpils Castle, Jaunpils, Latvia
Format: 5-day game jam, 2-day conference, side activities and networking
Tickets: https://www.castlegamejam.com

“Castle Game Jam is built for the kind of creative momentum and lasting relationships that rarely happen in a normal conference hall,” said James Newnorth, creator of Castle Game Jam. “For one week, developers get to build, learn, share ideas, and make memories in a place unlike anywhere else. People leave with prototypes, new collaborators and a story they will still be telling years later.”

CALL FOR SPEAKERS

During Castle Game Jam’s conference, attendees, including developers, studio leaders, artists, designers, programmers, producers, writers, toolmakers, researchers and community builders - are invited to share practical knowledge with an international gamedev audience. Speaker applications are open here: https://forms.gle/i3KQ16RGkG9KresB8

The 2026 edition is expected to welcome developers from more than 25 countries across five continents, with more than 50 teams represented. Many participants have already shipped commercial games. Confirmed attendees include developers connected to titles such as Valheim, V Rising, Goat Simulator, Dorfromantik, and Star Birds. Among the attendees you can find developers and leaders from companies like: Piktiv, ThunderOak Interactive, Toukana Interactive, Oddiko, Creative Herbert, and Exonicus R&D. Alongside the jam and conference, attendees can expect knowledge-sharing sessions, BBQs, sauna networking, medieval activities, excursions, football, and informal gatherings in one of Latvia’s most atmospheric historic setting: Jaunpils Castle. Castle Game Jam can also become a summer trip to remember: guest tickets are available for spouses and children.

A limited number of discounted tickets available for IGDA Finland members. Reach out to us at members [at] IGDA [dot] fi to get a 10% off promo code.