Indie Initiatives at IGDC 2026
Championing Independent Game Development
IGDC 2026 puts independent game developers at the centre with curated programs and dedicated spaces to build, showcase, connect and grow. From emerging creators to established studios, our indie initiatives provide mentorship, publisher access, visibility and community.
Indie 60
Giving the centre stage to 60 exceptional indie developers and studios from across India. A celebration of original games, fearless creativity and the people shaping what’s next for Indian game development.
The Indie Advantage!
- Join India’s Top 60 Indie Developers
- Take the Stage at IGDC 2026
- Put Your Game on the Global Map
- Connect with Top Publishers & Studios
Women Gamemakers
Celebrating women shaping the future of games, Women Gamemakers showcases outstanding studios, bold ideas and the creators inspiring the next generation.
The Power of Representation
- Showcase at IGDC 2026
- Amplify Your Voice
- Connect with the Games Industry
- Inspire the Next Generation of Women
Indie Spotlight
Each selected studio gets 4 minutes to present its game to publishers, investors, media and industry peers on the expo stage. The audience then votes live to decide the Indie Spotlight Award.
Your Turn to Shine!
- Your Game takes Centre Stage
- Present to Publishers, Investors & Media
- Gain Industry-Wide Visibility
- Compete for the Indie Spotlight Award
Indie Select
From breakout successes to industry favourites, Indie Select showcases India’s only 10 of India’s most accomplished games, ones that have already built real momentum.
Let’s Celebrate Your Success!
- Be Among India’s Top 10
- Showcase at IGDC 2026
- Gain Industry-Wide Visibility
- Unlock New Opportunities
Indie Pitch
Indie Pitch brings selected Indie 60 and Women Gamemakers studios before leading publishers to pitch their games, receive recognition, and compete for three jury awards.
Pitch for the Win!
- Direct Publisher Access
- Expert-Led Game Evaluation
- Three Prestigious Jury Awards
- Meaningful Industry Connections
Mentor Café
Mentor Café gives indie developers direct access to experienced industry leaders for one-on-one conversations that inspire better games, stronger studios, and lasting connections.
Your Mentoring Advantage
- One-on-One with Industry Experts
- Actionable Expert Feedback
- Game & Studio Guidance
- Industry Connections That Matter
Design & Dialogue
Great opportunities grow through great conversations. Design & Dialogue brings together developers and experts to exchange ideas, challenge thinking, and inspire better design.
Conversations that Shape Games
- Genre-Specific Expert Panels
- Practical Design Feedback
- Collaborative Peer Learning
- Stronger Games Through Dialogue
Indie Mixer
An exclusive networking evening bringing together selected indie studios, publishers, investors and industry leaders to spark meaningful conversations and lasting collaborations.
FAQs
Indie 60
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for Indie 60?
Any independent game developer, solo creator, or indie studio based in India is eligible to apply.
Does my game need to be released?
No. Games at any stage of development are welcome, provided a playable build is available for evaluation.
Can I submit more than one game?
Yes. Each game must be submitted through a separate application.
Is there an application fee?
No. Participation in Indie 60 is completely free.
Which platforms are eligible?
Games developed for PC, Mobile, Console, VR/AR, and Web platforms are all eligible.
What happens if my game is selected?
Selected teams will receive a complimentary showcase table at IGDC 2026 along with detailed onboarding information from the IGDC team.
How are games evaluated?
Entries are reviewed by an independent jury based on gameplay, innovation, design quality, originality, and overall player experience.
Will I receive feedback if my game is not selected?
Due to the volume of submissions, individual feedback cannot be guaranteed.
Can I update my submission after applying?
Yes. You may update your game build until the application deadline.
How is my showcase table allocated?
Table allocation and positioning are at the sole discretion of the organizers.
What branding is permitted at my booth?
All branding must adhere to the dimensions specified by IGDC. Branding is permitted within the allocated booth space, and all branding, merchandise, and promotional material must remain within that space.
Can I request a television or display screen?
Yes. Television/display screens can be arranged through the organizers at an additional cost, subject to availability.
Can I distribute printed promotional material?
Yes, but printed collateral should be kept to a minimum. Digital sharing via QR codes is encouraged, and any printed material should be environmentally friendly or made from recycled paper.
Can I recruit or advertise job openings from my booth?
No. Recruitment, hiring activities, and job advertising are not permitted.
Can I use speakers or amplified audio at my booth?
No. Speakers, microphones, and other amplified audio equipment are not permitted.
Can I sell products or display prices at my booth?
No. Products cannot be sold. However, wishlists, order-taking, and price displays are permitted on the expo floor.
Indie Spotlight
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in Indie Spotlight?
Participation is open to all eligible indie developers showcasing at IGDC 2026. Eligible Indie 60 and Women Gamemakers teams are automatically included.
Is there a separate application for Indie Spotlight?
No. Indie Spotlight is part of the IGDC Indie Initiative. No separate application is required.
How much time will each team have on stage?
Each selected team will have 4 minutes to present their game.
What can we include in our presentation?
Presentations may include gameplay, trailers, slides, concept art, or live demonstrations, provided they fit within the allotted time.
Do we need to submit our presentation in advance?
Yes. Presentation files must be submitted before the deadline communicated by the organizers.
When should we report for our presentation?
Teams must report to the presentation area at least 15 minutes before their scheduled slot.
Who will be in the audience?
Your presentation will be seen by publishers, investors, media, fellow developers, and IGDC attendees.
How is the Indie Spotlight Award decided?
The award is determined through audience voting. Attendees can cast one vote each using the QR code displayed during the session.
When will the winner be announced?
The Indie Spotlight Award winner will be announced during the B2C event on Day 4
Can more than one team member present?
Yes. Multiple presenters are welcome, provided the presentation is completed within the 4-minute time limit.
What happens if we exceed the time limit?
Presentations must remain within the allotted 4 minutes. The organizers reserve the right to end presentations that exceed the time limit.
What happens if we miss our presentation slot?
Teams that fail to report before their scheduled time may forfeit their presentation opportunity.
Is there any content that is not permitted?
Yes. Offensive or inappropriate content is not permitted in any presentation.
Can the presentation schedule change?
Yes. The organizers reserve the right to amend the schedule or presentation order if required.
Women Gamemakers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for Women Gamemakers?
Any women-founded or women-led indie game studio or development team based in India is eligible to apply.
Does the entire team need to be women?
No. The studio must be women-founded or women-led. Teams of any composition are welcome, provided they meet this eligibility criterion.
Does my game need to be released?
No. Games at any stage of development are eligible, provided a playable build is available for evaluation.
Do I need to attend IGDC if selected?
Yes. At least one representative from the selected studio must be available to attend IGDC 2026.
Can I submit more than one game?
Yes. Each game must be submitted through a separate application.
Is there an application fee?
No. Participation in Women Gamemakers is completely free.
How are games evaluated?
Applications are reviewed by an independent jury based on gameplay, innovation, originality, design quality, and overall execution.
What happens if my game is selected?
Selected studios will receive a complimentary showcase table at IGDC 2026 and detailed participation information from the IGDC team.
What does the showcase table include?
Each table includes space for game branding, a laptop shelf, one power outlet, and one exhibitor pass. Television/display screens may be arranged through the organizers at an additional cost, subject to availability.
What booth branding is permitted?
Branding must comply with the dimensions specified by the organizers. One pull-up standee is permitted within the allocated booth space, and all branding, merchandise, and promotional material must remain within that space.
Can I distribute promotional material at my booth?
Yes, but printed collateral should be kept to a minimum. Digital sharing via QR codes is encouraged, and any printed material should be environmentally friendly or made from recycled paper.
Can I recruit or sell products from my booth?
No. Recruitment, hiring activities, sales, order-taking, price displays, and amplified audio equipment are not permitted. Merchandise or giveaways may not be distributed outside the allocated booth space.
Will I receive feedback if my game is not selected?
Due to the volume of applications, individual feedback cannot be guaranteed.
Can I update my game build after submitting?
Yes. You may update your game build until the application deadline.
Indie Select
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for Indie Select?
Any indie developer or studio whose game meets at least one of the published eligibility criteria.
PC / Console Games
10,000+ Steam wishlists
Official selection at a major international games showcase or festival
Signed by a recognized PC/Console publisher
Recipient of a major industry grant or platform partnership (such as Epic Games, ID@Xbox, Nintendo, PlayStation Indies, etc.)
Mobile Games
100,000+ pre-registrations
500,000+ downloads
Featured by Google Play or the Apple App Store
What games are eligible?
Both PC/Console and Mobile games are eligible, provided they satisfy the relevant eligibility requirements.
What proof do I need to submit?
Applicants must provide supporting evidence such as Steam wishlist data, publisher agreements, platform partnership confirmations, store analytics, download or pre-registration statistics, feature announcements and other official documentation as listed by the organisers.
How are applications verified?
All applications are reviewed by the IGDC Indie Jury. IGDC reserves the right to request additional documentation to verify eligibility before finalising selections.
How many studios will be selected?
Up to 10 studios will be selected for the Indie Select showcase.
Will every eligible game be selected?
No. Meeting the eligibility criteria makes your application eligible for consideration. Final selections are made by the IGDC Indie Jury based on the overall quality of the application and the available showcase slots.
Will selected studios receive a showcase table?
Yes. Selected studios will receive a complimentary showcase table at IGDC 2026.
Do I need to have a playable build?
Yes. Selected studios are expected to have a playable game build available for attendees throughout the event.
What booth branding is permitted?
Booth branding must comply with the dimensions specified by the organizers. Branding is permitted within the allocated booth space, and branding outside the designated area is not allowed.
Can I update my supporting documents after submitting?
Yes. Supporting documents may be updated until the application deadline.
Can my application be disqualified?
Yes. Applications may be disqualified if eligibility claims cannot be verified, required supporting documents are not submitted, false or misleading information is provided, or the submitted game infringes third-party intellectual property rights.
Indie Pitch
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in Indie Pitch?
Indie Pitch is open to indie developers who have applied through the IGDC Indie Initiative. Participation is by invitation, and only selected teams will present.
How are teams selected?
Applications are evaluated based on game quality, originality, market potential, and publishing readiness.
How many teams will be selected?
Up to 10 studios will be invited to participate in Indie Pitch.
Who will evaluate the pitches?
A panel of publishers, investors, and experienced games industry professionals will evaluate each presentation.
How much time will each team have?
Each team will receive 5 minutes to pitch their game, followed by a 5-minute Q&A with the panel.
What should the pitch include?
Your pitch should introduce your game, explain its unique value, highlight your target audience and development progress, and outline your publishing or business goals.
What presentation formats are allowed?
You may use slides, gameplay footage, trailers, live demonstrations, or playable prototypes. All presentation materials must be submitted before the deadline communicated by the organizers.
Do we need to submit our presentation in advance?
Yes. All presentation materials must be submitted before the deadline communicated by the organizers.
When should teams report for their pitch?
Teams must report to the venue at least 30 minutes before their scheduled presentation time.
What happens if we miss our presentation slot?
Teams that fail to report before their scheduled slot may forfeit their opportunity to pitch.
How are the winners selected?
Following the presentations and Q&A sessions, the publisher panel will evaluate each pitch and select winners for Best Pitch, Best Game Design, and Most Anticipated Game.
Can more than one team member participate?
Yes. Multiple team members may participate, provided the presentation and Q&A remain within the allotted time.
Mentor Cafe
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for Mentor Café?
Any indie developer, solo developer, or studio can apply through the IGDC Indie Initiative application.
How are participants selected?
Participants are selected based on their areas of interest, mentor expertise, session availability, and overall capacity.
How are mentors assigned?
During the application process, you can indicate the areas where you’d like guidance. The IGDC team will match you with the most suitable mentors based on your interests and their expertise.
How long is each mentoring session?
Each one-on-one mentoring session is 10 minutes long.
Will I meet more than one mentor?
Yes. Participants may be scheduled with multiple mentors based on their interests and mentor availability.
Do I need to have a finished game?
No. Developers at any stage of development are welcome to apply.
What should I bring to the session?
You are encouraged to bring a playable build, gameplay videos, presentation materials, or any relevant material that will help mentors understand your game and provide meaningful feedback.
When should I report for my session?
Participants must report to the Mentor Café area at least 15 minutes before their scheduled session. Late arrival may result in reduced session time or cancellation.
What should I expect during the session?
Come prepared with specific questions or discussion topics. Sessions are designed to provide focused feedback, practical advice, and guidance tailored to your game and studio.
Can I share confidential information with mentors?
You should only share information you are comfortable disclosing. IGDC and participating mentors are not responsible for protecting confidential or proprietary information discussed during the session.
Will mentors continue to mentor me after IGDC?
Mentor Café is a one-time mentoring initiative during IGDC. Any continued engagement is entirely at the discretion of both the mentor and the participant.
Can I choose which mentor I meet?
You can indicate your preferred areas of guidance in the application. While the IGDC team will try to match you with the most suitable mentors, specific mentor requests cannot be guaranteed.
Design & Dialogue
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for Design & Dialogue?
Any indie developer or studio can apply through the IGDC Indie Initiative application.
How are participants selected?
Participants are selected based on their game’s genre, the relevance of the discussion topics, and session availability.
Do I need to have a finished game?
No. Games at any stage of development are welcome, provided there is enough material to support a meaningful design discussion.
How are the sessions organised?
Developers are grouped by game genre, and each roundtable discussion is moderated by experienced industry professionals with expertise in that genre.
What is the format of the session?
Sessions are conducted as interactive roundtable discussions, where participants can share their experiences, discuss design challenges, and ask questions.
What genres are covered?
Each session focuses on a specific game genre, such as platformers, RPGs, strategy, horror, or other genres, depending on participant applications.
When should I report for my session?
Participants should arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled session.
Can multiple members from the same studio attend?
No. Each selected studio may nominate one participant for the session.
What is expected from participants?
Developers are encouraged to actively participate, share their experiences, ask questions, and contribute to a respectful and collaborative discussion.
Can I discuss confidential information?
You should only share information you are comfortable disclosing. IGDC and the panelists are not responsible for protecting confidential or proprietary information shared during the session.
Will the discussion be recorded?
Some sessions may be photographed or recorded by IGDC for promotional or archival purposes.
Can the session focus change?
Discussions are designed to stay relevant to the session’s genre and topic, while ensuring all participants have an equal opportunity to contribute.