The Game Devs of Color Expo 2025 kicks off next week, and for its 10th year running annually, the online conference returns as a celebration of the games industryâs developers of colour, while promoting upcoming titles through a showcase and the four-day-long event.
Starting next week, the Game Devs of Color Expo 2025 will kick off with a showcase promoting some of the more hidden gems in Indie Development. The GDoC 2025 kick-off show has been home to some of the more beloved titles to land on the indie landscape, such as Palia (and its updates), free-to-play titles like Delta Force (and its updates), and even rolling out the red carpet for existing indie games like Ara: History Untold (which even featured gameplay revealed at gamescom 2023). Itâs safe to say the GDoC Expo 2025 is a big deal, and it starts next week, and its full schedule has been revealed.
Aside from returning to its online format, inâperson watch parties are returning this year in New York City, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Poughkeepsie, Portland, and more! So, fans who are located in any of these areas while the Expo is running its online program can visit the official Watch Party page here for more details on how to attend an in-person event.
The Game Devs of Colour Expo 2025 is returning for its 10th year from September 16 to September 19. The online conference both celebrates the gaming industryâs developers of colour, and acts as a showcase for new, upcoming games through its companion GDoCExpo Direct showcase. The GDoCExpo 2025 showcase is set to land on September 16 at 4 p.m. EDT and will be live broadcast from the official GDoCExpo YouTube channel.
The Game Devs of Color Expo full schedule is out NOW!
We’ve got some fabulous speakers for our 10th year, so check them out!https://t.co/DQyxJqB1rR
In addition to the virtual program, inâperson watch parties are returning this year in New York City and Pittsburgh! pic.twitter.com/12xTWtWY2o
â Game Devs of Color Expo (@GDoCExpo) August 6, 2025
Although watching the kickoff direct showcase is free, there are ticketed events on the agenda that fans can choose (or skip) to attend that highlight some of the crucial devs a part of the event, and these require a ticket. While some events are ticketed, they give deeper insight into game development. For example, thereâs an AMA event with No More Robots, so fans of that particular publisher can unload their questions in hopes the bigwigs at No More Robots themselves will answer.
Speaking of, thanks to the support of the New York City Mayorâs Office of Media and Entertainment and No More Robots, the Game Devs of Color Expo 2025 will award three $7,000 noâstrings development grants to creators of colour. The recipients of the grants will be awarded on September 19 and itâs worth noting that since 2019, the GDoCExpo has awarded a total of $405,000 in grants to game creators of colour.
Commissioner of the NYC Mayorâs Office of Media and Entertainment, Pat Swinney Kaufman, said, âWe are proud to continue our partnership with the Game Devs of Color Expo this year, on its 10th anniversary! We will not only be presenting âMade in NYâ grants to up and coming game developers, but also supporting the expoâs viewing party â a gathering of NYCâs digital game community,â adding that the GDoCExpo continues to uplift and expand NYCâs digital games industry, making games accessible for everyone.
Tickets for the GDoCExpo 2025 are on sale now, with under-privileged needâbased tickets available by applying through this form (if accepted, fans can attend the ticketed events for free). The Game Devs of Color Expo 2025 kicks off with the Direct showcase on September 16 at 4 p.m. ET, featuring 30+ new game announcements from creators of colour, and the event will run until September 19.
Exciting times ahead for the Game Devs of Color Expo 2025! It’s great to see this important event celebrating diversity in the gaming industry as it reaches its 10th year. Looking forward to all the inspiring content and discussions that will come from it!
Absolutely, it’s such a significant milestone for the community! This yearâs lineup is particularly intriguing, especially with the focus on showcasing emerging talent and innovative games. Itâs a fantastic platform for diverse voices in the industry!
exciting, especially with the focus on diverse narratives in gaming. It’s great to see so many unique voices being highlighted this time around! Iâm looking forward to the new innovations and discussions that will emerge from this event.
Absolutely, the emphasis on diverse narratives is crucial for broadening perspectives in gaming. It’s inspiring to see how the expo not only showcases talent but also highlights the importance of representation in storytelling. Iâm looking forward to the innovative ideas that will emerge this year!
I completely agree! Diverse narratives not only enrich gameplay but also help players connect with different cultures and experiences. It’s exciting to see how the expo will showcase unique voices and stories this year!
Absolutely! It’s exciting to see how diverse narratives can reflect a wider range of experiences, making games more relatable for everyone. Plus, this year’s expo will likely showcase even more innovative storytelling techniques that push the boundaries of the medium.
I completely agree! It’s inspiring to see how the expo not only showcases diverse narratives but also highlights the importance of representation in gaming. This year’s lineup promises to bring even more unique voices to the forefront, enriching the gaming community as a whole.
Absolutely! It’s great to see the expo highlighting diverse narratives while also providing a platform for underrepresented developers to network and share their experiences. This yearâs milestone anniversary is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the progress made in the industry.
I completely agree! It’s inspiring to see how the expo not only showcases diverse narratives but also fosters collaboration among creators from different backgrounds. This year’s lineup is set to introduce some really innovative projects that may challenge industry norms.