Deep Dive: DICE Europe
Game Conference Guide Insights - November 2025
In this month’s issue:
Deep dive into one of the hi-profile events out there
Updated November’s showcases & deadlines for awards, funding, etc.
This newsletter and report below is brought to you by the Slovak Art Council. Their generous support helped me to travel to Edinburgh, attend DICE Europe and deliver this report.
Disclaimer #1: What follows is a pilot of a new format I call Deep Dive. It is a direct continuation of a previous blog post covering how to rate events inspired by ICO’s Thomas Bidaux. This is a first step in trying to come up with a system on how to rate events and unlocking them to a wider audience.
DICE is not sponsoring this post in any way whatsoever. They were fabulous hosts and kept the whole organization in check.
Just chill.
Go with the flow.
Have conversations.
Be present.
These are just a few recommendations from my friends when I asked on my socials “How to DICE”. I was planning to visit this event for the first time, and I wanted to be prepared, maybe even overprepared.
My goals were very simple - make as many new friends as possible, scout for speakers and leaders who could be helpful in advancement of Slovak Game Developers Association and be great guests at our conference Game Days.
DICE has always been on my mind as an End Boss. When you make it, you will sit down with the top people and discuss “How’s the business”? It is very well known as a high-profile, very exclusive event and some are saying that without a proper network you will get lost. Which is true, only partially.
You see, this was my first DICE, first trial by fire and I also wanted to verify if all the urban legends are true or not.
So buckle up, we’re going to deep dive into DICE Europe.
PARTNER OF THE MONTH
Why PR Remains Essential for Game Marketing
In a landscape where discoverability is brutal and showcases are crowded, PR gives your game the three essentials for success: credibility, trust, and story.
That’s why if you want real reach, you start with PR!
PR builds credibility that paid ads alone can’t buy. It gives your studio a voice that audiences trust. That trust drives stronger engagement and more loyal players.
At UberStrategist, we help developers and publishers reach the right audience with stories that stand out. Our team connects your message with media and influencers who matter to your community.
If you want players to pay attention, you need more than reach. You need relevance. You also need a team that can bring it all together—PR, Influencer, paid media, and event strategy—to make every campaign work harder for you.
What is DICE Europe all about?
DICE Europe is a smaller sister event of DICE Summit happening annually each February in Las Vegas culminating with AIAS DICE Awards. Both are organized by AIAS Foundation.
The European event is changing location each year, alternating between colder and warmer climates while choosing luxurious venues. It sits perfectly at the end of the summer, where tourist season is winding down. Last year it was happening at Lake Como, Italy and next year it is going to Athens, Greece.
DICE Europe is a very compact, small-sized event, with capped attendance at 200. The 2025 edition had 190 registered attendees and was sold out. It also attracts dozens of brave souls who travel without a conference pass and mingle in lobbies and bars with the rest. It always depends on the venue how successful they are and I am sure the organizers are aware of it, as they are checking your badge like a hawk each time you enter the conference grounds.
The venue dictates if the event has a common area, where you can decompress or catch a break in between sessions. The Intercontinental didn’t have much space to spare, only if you stepped outside or sat in a cafe / bar or in a lobby usually occupied by other guests staying at the hotel.
The conversations flow naturally, and the schedule changes from passive listening (during the morning sessions) to active participation starting with lunch and followed by insightful round tables. The programme is a bit overwhelming, sessions have the correct cadence, with almost no room to breath in between. Only at DICE Europe have I seen such a high attendance rate at sessions (at least during the first day) it felt like everyone was there.
The capped capacity allows you to meet and have a conversation with everyone. The usual crowd are executives, investors, those with decision power, service providers and attendees not going to a lot of other events. No one is shielded and everyone is approachable.
DICE Europe has some unspoken rules and the vibe is defined and protected by the attendees themselves. Sessions are not recorded for a reason, some include insights not for the public, others interesting inside stories. No media on site allows everyone to have conversations without paying attention to who might be listening. There are still NDAs, but you know how it goes. The sense of belonging creates an environment where everybody is following the Chatham House rule.
The trust goes beyond the event. The app is your black book. Not a lot of people are aware, but you have access to contact details of each attendee. You can opt out from messaging and meetings, but your email registered to the badge is visible. It gives you an option to reach out and set up a meeting through a more traditional channel.
But, here are the rules.
No sales. I don’t have to remind you about the risks tied to sending a cold email. Selling won’t get you anywhere. I was lucky to get replies to almost all of the emails, while the app itself was not useful for making connections.
I am a bit puzzled why no other event copied this concept. You are not forcefully signed to a system you don’t want to utilize. Not everyone is there to fill the calendar with meetings, but it is helpful to see who is coming and if there is someone who would you like to meet, you can send an email.
Some are saying, DICE Europe is for Americans going for a late summer vacation. And it is structured like that; the luxurious venues, locations, and the option to travel with your loved ones, are clear indications why this one was created and why it works. You are allowed to bring significant others with you and they are welcome to join all the social events (mixers and parties). The significant others have a special daily programme, while you are networking. They do have a dedicated Whatsapp group to coordinate as well.
What it isn’t?
DICE Europe does not have any showcase. There are no games to play, no booth to see or have a meeting at, no stores to buy games related gifts. There is merchandise inside your goodie bag though. A notepad with a printed programme would be more useful, than the sleeping mask if you ask me. There isn’t a lot of branding either around the venue, which was refreshing to see.
It isn’t a show where you go from booth to booth and talk to developers selling services. It isn’t definitely a place where you set up your meetings back to back and have them in a special area. The venue is small, it doesn’t allow it, and is being focused on interaction between attendees and the tight programme (handful of sessions accompanied by round tables). There are no side-events like pitching, publishers meet-up or job fair you might find at your typical conference.
How much does it cost? Who is it for?
The price reflects the format and quality of guests. It is one of the most expensive event out there. We always point a finger at GDC, but 1,750 USD for a conference pass is a lot. DICE Summit in Las Vegas is twice as expensive.
My budget for the whole trip was almost 3,000EUR (not counting representative budget, nor daily allowance), while not staying in the venue (Intercontinental). The budget itself is self explanatory for who the event is aimed at.
At DICE you are getting to know very influential individuals, successful developers and make powerful new friends. The access is unprecedented. I would not recommend attending the event to newcomers. Executives, founders, thinkers, creatives who want to exchange ideas with others, compare notes and discuss challenges in a more friendly environment that provides enough time and space will be right at home.
The attendees are changing each year, DICE is bringing companies from the US as there are not that many places where you can meet them (apart from GDC). Personally I would love to see more younger developers there.
Kudos to the Sandfall guys, who were a blessing to hear while sharing their crazy successful journey on stage.
While there are similar events happening in Europe with even more focused programmes and very limited audience, DICE is still DICE. It occupies and dominates its own category.
Should you go?
If you have never been and have a budget for it, just go for it. As for myself, I loved it and would like to attend 2026 edition in Greece.
❄️November’s games industry showcases
November 20 @ TBA
📺Indie Live Expo Winter Showcase & Awards
November 29 @ TBA
November 29 - 30 @ TBA
Get all details, dates, times & direct links to broadcast here.
🏆New Deadlines on the horizon
🏆DIGY Awards
Deadline: November 14, Showcase, entry: free🎮Tokyo Indie Games Summit
Deadline: November 16, On-site showcase, entry: free🎮GDS Prague Indie Expo
Deadline: December 1, On-site showcase, entry: free🏆DICE Awards
Deadline: December 5, Awards, entry: $1000🎮BitSummit
Deadline: December 31, On-site showcase, entry: 2750 JPY
Get all deadlines here.
[Game Conference Guide is helping you find your next games industry event.]
Thank you for reading and supporting Game Conference Guide. Consider sharing it with your peers, colleagues, and community.
Pavol Buday, curator @ GCG