Road to Polaris 2025: Hamburg

The Road to Polaris 2025 initiative serves as a strategic support program designed to increase the visibility and market reach of Hamburg-based game developers. By providing a dedicated joint booth at the Polaris community convention, which is scheduled for October 10–12, 2025, the program aims to facilitate direct engagement between local studios and a broad audience interested in gaming, e-sports, and digital pop culture.

The program offers selected participants a comprehensive exhibition package, including booth space, necessary hardware, exhibitor tickets, USK clearing services, and a preparatory workshop. To qualify, applicants must be commercially oriented, maintain a headquarters or branch office in Hamburg, and provide a playable version of their game alongside a trailer. Furthermore, participants are required to maintain an active Steam page for their project and commit to full-time attendance throughout the three-day event.

Applications for the program are open until August 27, 2025, with all submissions subject to a formal review process. This initiative is part of a broader effort by local industry organizations to foster the growth of the Hamburg games ecosystem, complementing other regional support structures such as prototype funding, incubator programs, and industry networking events. By lowering the barrier to entry for major conventions, the program seeks to provide developers with essential feedback and professional exposure within the competitive gaming market.