Top 5 Gaming Events to Attend in 2025

The gaming industry is one of the fastest growing entertainment sectors worldwide, outpacing older, more established industries like film and music. However, the past few years have been challenging, with global average playtime declining in 2021.

In 2024, according to Newzoo's Global Games Market Report, the gaming sector cautiously returned to growth, generating $187.7 billion in revenue. This upward trend is expected to continue, with projections reaching $213.3 billion by 2027. As the market grows and new technologies and workflows emerge, staying relevant and up-to-date is crucial for everyone in the industry, from indie developers to AAA studios.

Attending events is a great way to stay informed, inspired, and connected as the industry evolves. These gatherings offer opportunities to network, foster a sense of community with peers, and learn from insightful talks by experienced developers.

But which events should you attend? We’ve compiled a list of developer-focused gaming events for 2025. Here’s our guide to the must-visit events of the year!

Why Attend Events?

Showcasing Games

From indie developers to AAA studios, events are a great place for generating hype, gaining publicity, and attracting investment. They also provide valuable opportunities to gather feedback and showcase projects to a wider audience.

Community Engagement

For developers, meeting with their players who may be from all over the world is not an easy task, but events can be an excellent way to engage directly with their player base, strengthening relationships and gathering insights.

Industry Networking

With the popularity of remote working, events provide an opportunity to connect with like-minded gamers, developers, and professionals who you might not be able to interact with in your day-to-day work. Events offer a wonderful environment to meet others, share ideas and experiences within the gaming industry.

Keeping Up To Date

Events often feature talks and roundtables that help you stay sharp and up-to-date with your skills.

They also showcase the latest emerging hardware and technologies, providing insights into tools and advancements that could shape the future of the industry.

Game Developers Conference 2025

(Photo: Game Developers Conference)

Now in its 39th year, the Game Developers Conference (GDC) is one of the largest and most influential events in the gaming industry.

Originally founded in 1988 by game designer Chris Crawford, GDC began as a small gathering of 27 developers in his living room. Since then, the event has grown tremendously and - safe to say - the conference no longer fits in a living room, but is now held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

The 2025 GDC will take place from March 17 to March 21, bringing together business leaders, artists, producers, audio designers, programmers, and anyone passionate about creating video games.

Over five days, GDC offers a wide range of opportunities, including educational sessions, investor pitch meetings, showcases of technology and processes, industry awards, insightful talks from leading professionals, and plenty of networking opportunities.

Reboot Develop Blue 2025

(Photo: Reboot Develop Blue)

Reboot Develop Blue is a games industry conference held at the Sheraton Dubrovnik Riveria Hotel in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Fun fact: Dubrovnik was the “real world King’s Landing” from the hit HBO TV series Game of Thrones!

In 2025, Reboot Develop Blue will celebrate its tenth anniversary. The event will run from April 14 to April 16, 2025, drawing over 2,700 attendees and 850 companies. Across three days, attendees can experience more than 160 speakers, business-to-business networking, and indie expo areas.

This event caters to all game industry professionals, including artists, programmers, business developers, marketers, PR specialists, lawyers, and more. If you’re passionate about creating video games, Reboot Develop Blue is a must-attend event.

Develop:Brighton 2025

(Photo: Develop:Brighton)

Since 2006, Develop:Brighton has been a key event for the UK gaming industry, bringing together professionals at the DoubleTree Hotel in sunny Brighton. In 2025, the conference will run from July 8 to July 10.

This event offers a unique space for everyone, from indie developers to major development companies, to connect and collaborate. The conference usually offers multiple discipline tracks, including art, design, coding, audio, business, mobile and more.

With over 5,000 attendees and 2,000 companies, Develop:Brighton features more than 120 speakers, expo areas, roundtables, indie showcases, and educational sessions. Highlights include portfolio reviews, business-to-business meetings, industry awards, and lively networking parties and events.

Devcom 2025

(Photo: Devcom)

Established in 2017, Devcom is the second-largest industry conference in Europe and is the official game developer event of Gamescom.

Held at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, the conference achieved a new milestone in 2024, attracting over 5,000 attendees and 1,660 companies from 83 countries. Participants ranged from publishers and developers to service providers, representing mid-size to large organizations.

Devcom features more than 350 speakers and 210+ sessions across 18 stages. Topics cover a wide range, including business, indie development, game design, coding, and more. The event welcomes industry veterans and emerging talent alike, encouraging networking with dedicated matchmaking sessions, parties, and other opportunities to connect with fellow professionals.

Additionally, the conference includes expo areas showcasing new games, cutting-edge technologies, tools, and services.

The next Devcom Developer Conference is scheduled from August 17 to 19, and promises to continue its tradition of bringing the global game development community together.

Gamescom 2025

(Photo: Gamescom)

Gamescom, founded in 2009, is the world’s largest trade fair for video games, held annually at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany. Over the years, it has become an essential event for game developers, publishers, and enthusiasts to showcase and experience the latest in the gaming industry.

Attracting over 300,000 attendees from 120 countries, Gamescom offers something for everyone from business-to-business meetings and hands-on play of upcoming releases to cosplay showcases and fan interactions.

With over 1,400 exhibitors from 60 countries, developers can take advantage of the event’s vast reach and footfall, whether showcasing upcoming games, hardware, technology, or innovations.

Gamescom is also the premier venue for the latest game trailers and major announcements, consistently featuring a fantastic lineup of reveals and announcements.

In 2025, Gamescom will take place in Cologne from August 20 to 24, with the signature Opening Night Live event on August 19.

Tips for Attending Gaming Events

Whether you’ve attended plenty of events or it’s your first one, here are some tips from our team to help you have the best experience possible:

Get Flights and Tickets Early

Plan ahead and aim to decide which events you want to attend over a year in advance. We recommend grabbing a calendar and penciling in the events you're aiming for.

It’s also a good idea to check when tickets will go on sale and what they will cost. Some events are free, while others can be quite expensive, so make sure you know the price up front.

Events are spread across the globe, so take time to figure out your budget. This includes ticket costs, hotel prices, flights, and meals. We also recommend securing your tickets, accommodation, and flights early to ensure you don’t miss out!

Book Talks and Roundtables Early

If there's a talk you’re interested in, be sure to book it early! We’ve all experienced the disappointment of missing out on a talk or roundtable - especially since these sessions often have limited seating and can fill up quickly. So, take a look at the talks and roundtables you’re most interested in and add them to your schedule as soon as possible!

Get Familiar with the Venue and Schedule Ahead of Time

For those of us who feel a little anxious in new spaces, this tip is especially beneficial! It’s also handy if you have meetings scheduled, so you know exactly where to go and can get an idea for the layout of the event early.

Use an iPad or Laptop if You’re Showing Your Portfolio

Whether you’re an outsourcing studio or an artist showcasing your work, make sure you’re prepared.

For artists looking to showcase their work to potential employers, an iPad or laptop is ideal. It makes it easy to scroll through your work, zoom in and out, and helps you avoid the hassle of printing, saving both time and money. Just remember to download everything ahead of time in case there’s no WiFi where you’re going!

Network Effectively

Networking can be intimidating, especially for introverts, but everyone at these events shares a passion for games, so strike up a conversation!

As for business cards - it’s always a bit of a debate. On one hand, business cards seem obsolete in the age of social media, but what if someone asks for your card and you don’t have one? We do a bit of both: collecting cards and offering our own but the trick is following up after the event! A well-timed email to thank someone or remind them of your conversation is a great way to stand out and cut through the post-event noise.

Take Breaks

Large events can be overwhelming, so be sure to pace yourself and take breaks when needed. Stay hydrated, and make sure to grab a bite to eat.

Sometimes the food lines can be long, or you might find yourself running from one talk or meeting to the next. Keep a snack in your bag to help maintain your energy levels!

Wear Comfy Shoes

You’ll be on your feet and walking around a lot, so make sure to wear comfy shoes. Nothing ruins an event faster than sore feet! If you need to wear "smarter" shoes for part of the event, at least pack a more comfortable pair to switch into when needed.

Final Thoughts

At Athena Productions, we love attending gaming events. These gatherings are always insightful and inspiring, allowing us to connect with artists, developers, and friends we may not usually see, while offering opportunities to attend talks from industry peers, experience new games, and explore new processes and technologies.

More than just chances to learn and network, these events are reminder to the creativity and resilience in the video games industry. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, meet other industry professionals, or showcase your new game, these events are invaluable!