December 14, 2023
Recap 2023 and Lookout for 2024
One minute we're celebrating Gamecity Hamburg's 20th anniversary, then 2024 is just around the corner. So it's time for us to take a look back at the milestones of 2023 and set new goals for the coming year! And because most of us have little time in the last few weeks of the year, here are the most important periods and application deadlines for our projects and funding for 2024 at a glance. But first things first: Let's briefly summarize the year 2023; after all, you don't celebrate 20 year anniversaries every year.
2023: Anniversary Celebrations, Invitations to the City Hall, New Formats and Much More
In 2023, we not only celebrated the 20th anniversary of Gamecity Hamburg, but also used the year as an opportunity to launch some new formats. A summary of the most important events:
20 Years Gamecity Hamburg:
- Gamecity - The Movie:
Get to know our programs, events and the people who shaped Gamecity Hamburg in a whole new light when in this video 10 experts look back to 2003 and review history of the local games industry.
- Invitation to the Hamburg City Hall:
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Hamburg Senate invited Gamecity Hamburg and the games industry to the hallowed halls of the City Hall – no chance we’d miss out on that.
Gamecity Hamburg at the City Hall
- Birthday party at the Gamecity Treff:
A special highlight was the 20th anniversary of the Gamecity Treff in May. The Jupiter opened its doors on a perfect sunny evening, and we invited hundreds of old and new friends to celebrate on the roof terrace.
Gamecity Treff - 20 Years Celebration
Gamecity Hamburg – Funding Programs 2023:
One of the central topics for Gamecity Hamburg in 2023 were, of course, our funding programs: With the help of the Games Lift Incubator and Prototype Funding, 10 Start-ups from Hamburg could advance their games projects.
- Prototype Funding:
A total of 330,000 euros were distributed to 5 promising projects to finance the development of a game-ready prototype. Replicore (former METACORE), Reddie - ReRun of Reality, Light of Atlantis, Stack 'Em Up and How to Find Friends were funded.
- Games Lift Incubator:
Five new teams and their projects were selected for the Games Lift Incubator 2023. Through the incubator, they are supported for a full year with individual mentoring, workshops, financial support and access to the Games Lift network. Dottobeau, Map Map - A Game About Maps, Journey Beyond the Edge of the World, Chaos Royale and We the Valarii took part in the Games Lift Incubator 2023
New Formats in 2023
Our goal is to continuously support Hamburg's developers and studios with formats fitted to their needs and keep them up to date on current topics. That is why we have added two new event formats to our portfolio in 2023:
- FLINTA* Games Meetup:
This format offers all Female, Lesbian, Intersexual, Nonbinary and Trans people from the games industry a shared space in which they can meet, network and discuss current topics from the industry.
- Playtesting Session:
In November, in cooperation with the Play Bay gaming location, we offered developers the opportunity to have their games tested by interested gamers for the first time. Win/win - visitors were able to play unreleased games for the first time and the devs received extensive feedback. Both visitors and developers were enthusiastic about the event and we are planning further dates in 2024.
For regular announcements and updates on our current events and formats, simply subscribe to our newsletter - so you are always up to date.
2024 at a Glance
Conventions with a Gamecity Hamburg Booth:
- Hamburg Games Conference: March 5-6, 2024
- Gamescom Cologne: August 21-25, 2024
- Polaris Convention: October 11-13, 2024
Also: Look forward to recurring events such as the Gamecity Treff in spring and fall, new FLINTA* Treffs, new Playtesting Sessions, XP Boosts, Game Starters and much, much more.
2024: Application Periods for Gamecity Hamburg Funding
Are you planning to apply for our funding programs Prototype Funding or the Games Lift Incubator? Here you will find all the important deadlines for your applications in 2024:
- Prototype Funding:
March 7 - April 8, 2024
Second phase under restriction:
September 16 - October 7, 2024
- Games Lift Incubator:
May 2 - June 10, 2024
2024: Application Phases for our “Road to” Programs:
With our "Road to" programs, we enable game developers and independent game companies from Hamburg to access relevant events. At these events, we offer participants spots at joint booths, preparation workshops and free exhibitor tickets, among other things. Below you can find all important deadlines for our "Road to" programs 2024.
- Road to: Hamburg Games Conference:
until January 21, 2024
- Road to: Gamescom:
April - May, 2024
- Road to: Polaris:
July - August, 2024
Other International Events with us:
In addition to our "Road to" programs, in 2024 we’re also supporting developers in attending international events in the games industry. We will be able to offer various service packages for this. We will let you know in advance exactly which services you can receive. Enclosed you will find the planned events and the approximate application periods:
- Nordic – Malmö (SW): February - March, 2024
- Indigo – Utrecht (NL): March - April, 2024
- Develop Brighton – Brighton (UK): April - May, 2024
- Game Connection Europe – Paris (FR): August - September, 2024
Thank you for a great year, let's meet in 2024!
Where would we be without the many different players in the Gamecity Hamburg network? We would therefore like to thank all our companions who have made our 20th anniversary year so unforgettable. We are starting 2024 with new energy and hungry for new projects!
