Hamburg Games Conference: Invest in Games

The Hamburg Games Conference, held on March 1-2, 2023, at the Altonaer Museum in Hamburg, serves as a premier B2B event for the international games industry. The primary objective of the 14th edition was to explore the theme "Invest in Games," focusing on the evolving financial landscape of the sector. The program aimed to address critical industry questions regarding untapped market potential, the challenges studios face in securing funding, and the sustainability of the ongoing wave of high-value mergers and acquisitions.

The conference structure featured two parallel tracks designed to bridge the gap between creative development and financial viability. The main track facilitated high-level discussions between game studios and investors, while the secondary track provided practical insights into public funding, private investment strategies, and best practices for marketing digital games. Beyond the core programming, the event included an expo area for indie studios and service providers, alongside a digital matchmaking system to foster professional networking.

The event marked a return to a fully on-site format following two years of hybrid and digital iterations. Participation was broad, catering to diverse segments of the industry, including established studios, startups, and students. The organizers—Gamecity Hamburg, GRAEF Rechtsanwälte, and Super Crowd Entertainment—implemented tiered pricing to encourage attendance, with early bird, business, startup, and student tickets. By providing a platform for both established industry leaders and emerging developers, the conference continues to function as a vital hub for professional development and capital acquisition within the European games market.