More than 80 speakers from across the global games industry are set to participate in the upcoming London Games Festival, as organizers unveil a significantly expanded program aimed at industry professionals.
The event, scheduled to begin in mid-April, will feature a series of high-profile conferences, summits, and networking sessions covering key areas such as game financing, cross-media storytelling, self-publishing, and social impact in gaming.
Among the newly announced highlights is a keynote session at the Games Finance Market, featuring Matteo Sapio, chief strategy officer at Poncle, the studio behind the hit indie title Vampire Survivors. Sapio will take part in a live, on-stage interview moderated by Christopher Dring of The Game Business. The session will serve as a joint opening keynote for both the Games Finance Market and its accompanying Self-Publishing Summit.
Focus on Finance and Independent Development
The Games Finance Market, scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, is expected to attract developers, investors, and publishers seeking insights into funding opportunities and sustainable growth strategies.
The inclusion of Poncle, widely recognized for its breakout success in the indie gaming space, underscores the festival’s emphasis on emerging business models and self-publishing pathways. The keynote is positioned to provide practical insights into scaling independent projects into globally successful franchises.
Complementing the finance-focused sessions, the Self-Publishing Toolkit: Live Sessions will feature a lineup of industry experts offering guidance on publishing, marketing, and distribution. Speakers include representatives from studios and organizations such as inkle, Blossom Arcade, Secret Mode, Nyamyam, Xbox, and Excalibur Games, reflecting a diverse mix of indie and platform perspectives.
Exploring the Intersection of Games and Film
On Wednesday, April 15, the festival will host its flagship “Screen Play” conference, which examines the growing relationship between video games and the film and television industries.
This year’s lineup includes senior figures from major global companies such as Tencent Games and Riot Games, alongside creative leaders from Rebellion and Passion Pictures. The program will also feature insights from Story Kitchen, whose executives Dmitri M. Johnson and Dallas Dickinson will discuss their work adapting video game properties, including Tomb Raider, for screen audiences.
Returning speakers from Ubisoft and Pryor Cashman will join the discussion, highlighting legal, creative, and production challenges involved in cross-media storytelling. The conference reflects a broader industry trend in which intellectual properties are increasingly developed across multiple platforms, from games to streaming content.
Games for Change London Debuts
Also on April 15, the festival will introduce the inaugural Games for Change London summit, centered around the theme “Community Channelled.”
The event will feature a full day of talks, panels, workshops, and roundtable discussions focused on the social impact of games. Organizers have confirmed participation from 44 speakers representing the games industry, public sector, and civil society.
Key speakers include senior executives from Tencent, Roblox, Minecraft, and Supercell, alongside UK-based contributors such as representatives from the House of Lords and Great Ormond Street Hospital. The summit aims to explore how games can be leveraged to address societal challenges, promote community engagement, and foster inclusive digital environments.
The full schedule for the summit is expected to be released in the coming days.
A Platform for Industry Growth and Collaboration
The London Games Festival continues to expand its role as a central hub for industry collaboration, bringing together developers, publishers, investors, and policymakers.
By combining discussions on finance, creative storytelling, and social impact, the event reflects the evolving nature of the gaming industry, where business, technology, and culture increasingly intersect.
Organizers say the expanded professional program is designed to provide actionable insights and networking opportunities for participants at all levels, from independent developers to established studios.
Access and Participation
Tickets for the festival’s events are available through the official London Games Festival platform. Access to certain sessions, including the Games Finance Market keynote, is limited to registered participants, all-access pass holders, or attendees of the Self-Publishing Summit.
With its diverse lineup and focus on emerging trends, the London Games Festival 2026 is expected to serve as a key gathering point for the global gaming community, offering a comprehensive look at the future of the industry.
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