State of the games industry events in 2024 - Year in Review
Game Conference Guide Insights - February 2025
January is usually reserved for retrospective, flashy presentations and reflections. In the last month’s issue of the newsletter the new design of Game Conference Guide took the priority and if I left you hungry for stats. I do apologise for a delay and now it is time for Year in Review.
How were the events doing in 2024?
Since the launch of Game Conference Guide, I haven’t seen such a busy, yet well balanced year. If you would judge by the sheer number and variety of events, you would not see how challenging the year was for the whole industry. With 337 events (almost 10% increase compared to 2023) it was the busiest year since launch. It was also the most stable, with only 9 cancelled events, which is good for long-term planning. After the events were announced, the organizers were not shifting dates, nor changing the duration. Virtual events are long gone, with few exemptions. Kudos to devcom, IndieGame Business and GAConf to name a few taking an extra mile to provide value to everyone tuning in from behind their desks.
The events have their own seasons, and during the year they copy very similar curve; with peaks during Spring, Summer with showcases and then in Autumn (check the picture below). October was the busiest month so far (same in 2023) with record breaking 63 events.
We haven’t seen that many surprises either, the events grew in numbers, more visitors are flocking in to more established ones due to increased hunger for projects, funding or publishing services and those looking for a new job.
Events are not without its challenges, the obvious one being funding. The big consolidation and restructuring are taking its toll on number of sponsors, partners and attendees while travel and events budgets are cut. Local events and initiatives continue to have trouble accessing public funding. Some of their events won’t be returning back this year. If you are in a position of power, consider to support local events. With extra support, they can do more.
Looking ahead into 2025, we should expect the same number of events in general. As of now 143 are scheduled for this year and 3 so far for 2026, including the new E3 now focusing on bringing together leader also from outside of games industry called iicon.
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How much we were paying for events in 2024?
There is an increase in ticket prices across all the board. From B2B events, to festivals, to B2C events. Inflation, challenging market conditions or opportunity from suppliers and venues, call it however you like, attending events are again more expensive. By how much you ask?
Before you scroll down to numbers, bear in mind the tickets are offered in different tiers, naming conventions are not standardized and each of the organizer have different rules on when a price is increased from Super Early Bird to Late Bird price windows. More about data collection you can read here.
Despite my efforts, I failed to capture ticket prices from 13 events out of 337 (3.8%). From the total number 9 were excluded, as they were cancelled.
Industry (B2B) events
In 2024 you could attend a B2B event with free admission. From the total there were 79 truly free events (23% from the total number of events, same as year before). Out of those, 25 were broadcasts, Steam festivals and umbrella events for game festivals in various cities. The rest were industry events, various networking, pitching and festival like experiences, including those requiring registration (free) or direct invitation by organizers.
Last year you were paying for a single B2B pass on average $418 (12% increase compared to $369 in 2023), $227 median (14% increase compared to $200 in 2023). If you preferred VIP or top shelf experience, you paid on average $827 (17% decrease compared to $964 in 2023), $768 median (3% decrease compared to $795 in 2023). The increased offering of VIP tickets on almost all professional events is lowering the average price.
If you decided to skip travel and join virtually, you paid on average $147 or $85 median, very similar averages to last year, no big changes here.
When is the best time to buy ticket?
Immediately once the tickets go on sale, during Super Early Bird period months before the events starts. On average you could save $226 ($187 median) compared to when you are buying on the last minute, just few weeks before the event.
Public (B2C) events
For a single daily ticket in 2024 you were paying on average $41, (41% increase compared to $29 last year), $26 median (53% increase compared to $17 in 2024). All Access passes prices were selling on average for $122 (43% increase compared to $85 last year), $64 median (69% increase compared to $38 last year)
And if you wanted to opt in for a VIP / Business pass you were paying on average $283 (136% increase compared to $120 last year), $225 median (201% increase compared to $75 last year).
Games Conference Guide in numbers
The website grew in number of visitors and subscribers, which is amazing. The community grows each month, and I must thank each and every one of you who are visiting, and especially those who are sharing the website with their peers, colleagues and friends.
Since last year, the subscribers number grew by 47%, paid subscribers sit on 12 in total.
Again, I was pleasantly surprised by the reception of the Partner of the Month programme. Returning and new partners snatched the slots shortly after the new year began, so I can proudly say that 2025 is sold out. And if you are interested to hear more about overtaking the website for a month with your brand comes with, let me know, we can talk about 2026.
Last year the website was powered by these 7 amazing partners: Pocket Gamer, MeetToMatch,XP Summit, My.Games, devcom, Game Days, Game Developers Session. You are all awesome!
And a special shout-out goes to Jeanette, Kate, Takaaki, Masatoshi, Jason, Robin, Erik, Robin, Mateusz, Justin, Tobias & Jay. These individuals are supporting the website each month, for which I am beyond thankful.
If you feel you would like to buy me a coffee, turn your free to paid subscription here in Substack, or you can support the website on Patreon.
Game Conference Guide in a nutshell:
Total number of events in 2024: 337 (increase by 9,8% from 307)
89% of all of them were physical, compared to 82% in 2023. Long gone are times where virtual events dominated.
only 2,7% (9 out of 337) were cancelled or postponed compared to 5% (10 out of 321 in 2023).
The biggest number of events originated from EU (51%) followed by North America (27%).
United States hosted 76 events (not counting broadcasts / press conferences), in Europe it was UK with 32 events (+2 from last year), followed by Germany (20), Canada and Spain (with 14) and Japan with 11 events rounding up the top 5.
You are accessing the website mostly on desktop 55.6% (last year it was 65%) and more and more utilizing mobile 43.6%. Are you also checking other events while attending one?
Longest running events in 2024 were: Inde Cade Anywhere & Everywhere (17 days), London Games Festival (16 days) and Game Discovery Exhibition (12 days).
The busiest day of 2024 was 14th of November with 13 events happening simultaneously. In 2023 it was 12th & 13th of October with 9 events (In 2022, 8th of November with 8 events).
Median duration of a single event was 2 days (same as in 2023), average duration was 2,69 days (compared to 2,7 in 2023).
If you would have decided to attend every single event in 2024 (except those that were cancelled) it would take you: 637 working days and 245 weekend days. Compared to 604 working days and 225 weekends in 2023.
In total you would be conferencing nonstop for 2 and a half years, 882 days to be exact (an increase by 6.4 % from 2023 with 829 days).
During the 2024, Game Conference Guide has seen:
624 entries in the Calendar
131 entries in the Deadlines
156 entries in the Showcase
Most visitors were coming from:
United States (-)*
United Kingdom (-)
Canada (5)
China (3)
Poland (8)
And you have reached the end of Year in Review. Thank you for reading and see you all next month.
As almost everyone else, I will be heading to GDC. If you want to hang or meet, give me a shout. See you there.
*The number in the brackets is the position from last year.
[Game Conference Guide is helping you find your next games industry events & showcase.]
Thank you for reading and supporting Game Conference Guide. Consider sharing it with your peers, colleagues, and community.
Pavol Buday, curator @ GCG