At the start of this year, we are preparing our schedules for 2024, in particular for international and national events.
Until now, our focus has been on B2B events in Belgium and international trade shows.
With the arrival in 2024 of numerous new games projects at the prototype stage, and thanks to over 5 million in investment from the Walloon Region (via Wallimage) and the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (via the Center du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel), WALGA is now focusing on opportunities for our members to present their prototypes to the general public..
Perhaps for some of you, this seems premature? Or do you think it's better to wait and fine-tune development before putting your project in the hands of gamers? Reaching out to the public early on in the development of a game has a number of advantagesThis is certainly the case in the more difficult financial climate we experienced in 2023, which is likely to continue into 2024.
Here are some good reasons to get out of your studios and take advantage of public events:
- create a community at the start of development which can be used to convince an investor (publisher) to finance the next stages of your development.
- launch a crowdfunding campaignKickstarter-style, to raise additional funds in the short term (private money is important for the ration with public funds) and also to prove to a private investor or publisher that many enthusiasts are ready to buy your game, once development is complete.
- support early market entry early access type on Steamwishlist,...
- meet content creators (streamers) and specialized media which can significantly increase the visibility of your game and, a fortiori, the number of followers on your social networks.
- gather feedback different types of players to validate or improve game mechanics, gather new ideas, etc.
If these few arguments have convinced you (or if you're already convinced!), we can only advise you to attend conventions and trade shows packed with enthusiasts! You can find out more about the various events WALGA will be attending in the first half of the year below.
Game Square
Event - May 4 & 5 - WEX at Marche-En-Famenne
Game Square is the first trade show dedicated to 100 % video games in Wallonia, with a focus on games from independent studios, single-player or LBE VR games, as well as E-Sports and local communities. It takes place on the weekend of May 4 and 5 at the Marche-En-Famenne WEXthe largest exhibition hall in Wallonia, with over 20,000 m², and less than an hour from the main cities.
Thanks to our collaboration with WALGA and the support of the Walloon Region and Digital Wallonia, we can offer a discount of 50 % on the price of fully-equipped 3×3-meter indie stands, i.e. €300 excluding VAT, to present your project at the main event dedicated to video games in French-speaking Belgium.
This is an opportunity not to be missed! Please note: stands are limited, so first studios in will be served first. You'll find all the information you need below, with links to the presentation, exhibitor formulas and admission form.
Paris Fan Festival
Event - April 26, 27 & 28 - Porte de Versailles, Paris
The second edition of the Paris Fan Festivalevent dedicated to Pop Culture, will take place from April 26 to 28. The festival offers exhibition spaces, as well as conferences, streaming and more. It's an ideal opportunity to meet the French public at large, with 40,000 visitors expected, but also to establish professional contacts (media, streamers, publishers, etc.).
WALGA has already established contact with the organizer, and is considering cross-collaboration with events in Belgium such as Game Square. We would like to hear back from interested studios before January 22, so that we can prepare a joint stand. Just send us an e-mail to contact@walga.be.
Find out more in the presentation pack below.
Be@con Events
Event - May 11 & 12 - B3 in Liège
Other themed events in Belgium - which WALGA will be supporting - have been identified, such as the Be@con.
The second edition of the biennial convention, created around and by fans of the Star Citizen space management game, will take place over the weekend of May 11 and 12 at the B3 in Liège. WALGA will be supporting this unique Sci-Fi convention in Wallonia both as a communications partner and on-site with a stand presenting our activities. The event takes place at B3, the new cultural center for the Province of LiègeWe also have coworking offices and an E-Sport area available to our members.
If you have a game in the theme of the event (futuristic, space,...), don't hesitate to contact our team (laure@walga.be for communication and lionel@walga.be for the Liège hub).
