CODE sponsored nine studios to attend Gamescom in August 2024, the biggest gaming conference globally.
Gamescom attracted a staggering 335,000 visitors from around 120 countries to Cologne, Germany in 2024.
For a week in August, over 335,000 game developers from around the world descended upon Koelnmesse exhibition centre in Cologne, Germany for one of the largest global gaming conferences.
With the help of CODE, nine teams were funded for the opportunity to join in the fray. The teams had the opportunity to pitch their games and connect with companies from around the world.
(L-R): Ben McNeill of Tiny Kiwi presents their cozy decoration game, Design & Conjure; Wild Boy Studio's, Patric Corletto pitching Tunnel Tactics.
While the outcomes of this trip will likely only be made apparent in the following months, there was an immediate sense of optimism.
“It was exciting to see how many of the Kiwi teams had meetings with publishers and media lined up going into the week. There was a lot of positive feedback which is a good sign, and these talks will be the foundations for their developing relationships not only for the next few months, but for years to come”, says Navi Brouwer, CODE's Regional Content Manager.
In addition to travel grants, CODE also sponsored a pavilion in the business area of the conference, providing studios a quiet meeting space and a great meeting point for New Zealand developers to meet up and share experiences.
NZ CODE pavillion in Gamescom business area.
“Attending Gamescom to share WRAIN with publishers and other potential partners was an incredible experience. Being there alongside fellow New Zealand developers and connecting with industry veterans was both inspiring and invaluable.” - Max Kooij, Director of Synergy Digital
Outside of the business area, CODE sponsored a portion of the Indie Arena Booth in order to showcase New Zealand games to the public.
Being able to showcase their games at such an event provided a huge amount of insight into how players will interact with their games as well as the opportunities to talk to the various media present at the event.
NZ CODE supported games showcased at the Indie Arena Booth.
NZ games showcased at the Indie Arena Booth:
It’s Only Money - The Usual Suspects
Ten Thousand Coins - Thousand Tonic
Design and Conjure - Tiny Kiwi
Denari - Astronaut Dairies
Guardian Maia - Metia Interactive
Aside from the more practical aspects of this kind of event, being able to see the enthusiasm some people have when coming to the game reminds the teams what they're aiming for past all those bug fraught development hours!
“The five teams who were showcasing their games at the Indie Arena Booth had a constant stream of players through the entire 5 days of the public convention, with hardly any time in which the seats are empty”, says Navi.
Overall, Gamescom was a manic week worthy of being on every developer's radar.
Expressions of Interest for CODE Round 5 Travel Grants
CODE are looking to support Aotearoa New Zealand based teams to achieve commercialisation outcomes by supporting them with travel grants.
Expression of Interest for CODE Round 5 Travel Grants will be open in October 2024, with a focus on travel to GDC, San Francisco in March 2025. Gamescom-focused (Round 6) Travel Grants will open in April 2025.
If you think this is you, please check the Travel Grant Guidelines and Expressions of Interest form, here.
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