Indie BYOG Showcase @ GDC2026 Presented by Onerat Games & Sub-Zero Sound

Indie developers, do you have a game you want to show off during GDC 2026? Join us at Buzzworks to demo your project to a crowd of like-minded and enthusiastic independent game developers in a relaxed environment! No GDC pass required!

This is our 4th annual GDC Indie BYOG event. After hosting successful indie BYOG events at GDC 2023, GDC 2024, and GDC2025, we're back at Buzzworks for another exciting evening of game demos and networking. If you missed out last year, now is your chance to be involved with a grassroots indie dev event and build your network!

Have a game to show? Get your project in front of other devs, publishers, press, and game industry professionals of all flavours. For increased visibility, we'll be looping your trailers/gameplay clips on screens around the venue all night!

Keen to check out some indie games? This is a chance to check out some unique indie titles in a chill setting. Come by for a drink or two and make your way through the range of boutique games on show. Expect relaxed vibes and a great atmosphere!

"Attendee" - Free: RSVP with this option so it's in your calendar, and we can get an idea of how many people to expect.

"Attendee" - Donation: If you're planning on attending and are feeling generous, please choose this option to help us cover the costs of the venue and put on more events in the future!

"Standard Exhibitor": Select this option if you want to bring a game to show off on your own laptop. Suitable for demoing single-player games. You'll have a space reserved for the entire duration of the event. Includes gameplay clip/trailer in video loop in the venue.

"Premium Exhibitor (Screen Provided)": This ticket will reserve one of the limited wall-mounted screens for you for the entire duration of the event. Suitable for demoing single-player or two-player games. See here for more info about these screens and the venue. Includes gameplay clip/trailer in video loop in the venue.

(See showcase map at bottom of page for more info)

Exposure: We have one goal for our Indie BYOG events, and that's to provide the opportunity for indie devs to get their games in front of the GDC audience and form valuable connections with other industry professionals. At our previous events, we've had attendees from all corners of the games industry, including publishers, press, GDC speakers, and other industry veteran guests.

Community: At an Indie BYOG event you'll find like-minded indie devs who are on the same journey as you. Connect with old mates and meet new collaborators at this relaxed showcase!

Affordability: The barrier to entry for exhibiting a game at Indie BYOG is lower than other GDC showcases. We run these events without the inflated price tag so emerging devs have the opportunity to exhibit during the GDC week. There are some premium screens available for those who want increased visibility, but for standard exhibitors, this is your chance to shine during GDC 2026 without breaking the bank.

We're excited to see a diverse range of indie games, spanning all genres. This means:

✓ WIP Games

✓ Game Jam Projects

✓ Recently-Released Titles (<6 months)

✓ Any small demo or proof of concept you're testing!

Bring your game on a laptop, Steamdeck, Switch, or any other portable device with any necessary peripherals (controllers, headphones, charger, cleaning wipes, etc.) Less is more, as space is limited. There will be some power available for exhibitors at the event, but not enough for everyone to bring a gaming PC!

If you have a project with unique space or hardware requirements (VR/MR, custom controller, tabletop game, etc.), please let us know in the order form so we can confirm if the space will be suitable.

There won't be loud party/club music, but a packed bar is still loud, so if you want players to be able to hear your game, ensure you bring headphones.

The safety/comfort of the community is our top priority, and for this reason, inappropriate projects and behaviour will not be accepted. See the safety / code of conduct information further down the page for more info about expected behaviour.

We reserve the right to cancel + refund your demo ticket if we deem your project not appropriate for the event. We will reject games that are made completely with AI assets, feature aggressive microtransactions, abuse, offensive imagery, etc.

We're indie game devs, and we're for indie game devs.

We began hosting casual Indie BYOG events to provide game creators with the opportunity to showcase their projects at prestigious industry events around the world.

We provide a space where established and emerging developers can showcase their unreleased games in front of a diverse audience of professional developers, publishers, and investors in the games industry, and receive valuable feedback as well as opportunities for mentorship and partnerships.

Indie BYOG is managed by Onerat Games and Sub-Zero Sound.

Buzzworks is located on 11th street, a short Uber/Lyft or a 25-min walk from the Moscone.

Drinks can be purchased from the bar and external food can be brought into the venue.

BuzzWorks is SOMA's best craft beer & full spirits bar, also serving wine, cider, kombucha & more. Our 40 taps constantly rotate, paired with eye-popping entertainment on our 30 screens. We feature pinball, pool tables & good vibes."

The game showcase is upstairs in the mezzanine and is accessible only via stairs.

Buzzworks has wheelchair-accessible toilets on the ground floor.

Indie BYOG is an LGBTQI+-friendly organisation.

For the safety of everyone, all attendees will be required to register either with a pre-purchased ticket or at the door on arrival.

This event is not affiliated with GDC, however, the same rules apply and inappropriate behaviour won't be tolerated. This means:

- Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative.
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and speech.
- Comply with all applicable laws.
For more information, see the GDC Code of Conduct

If any person or game being shown violates these rules, they will be asked to leave.

Info: If you're exhibiting a game, arrive between 5pm - 6pm so we can sign you in and get you set up before the crowd hits!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

BuzzWorks, 365 11th Street, San Francisco, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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