Kiwi Games Zone applications now open for NZGDC 2026
Applications are now open for the Kiwi Games Zone at NZGDC 2026, giving New Zealand game developers the opportunity to showcase their games at the heart of the country's largest game development conference.
This year, the Kiwi Games Zone will run across three days of NZGDC at Auckland's new New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), providing a dedicated space for developers to share their work, connect with industry professionals, and gather valuable feedback from players and peers.
The 2026 conference theme, Shaping Our World, recognises our shared responsibility as creators. The games and experiences we build don't exist in isolation - they reflect our values, our choices, and the communities behind them. Built together and shaped with purpose, this year's conference celebrates intentional creation, collaboration, and the imperfect, human process of making worlds that matter.
The Kiwi Games Zone embodies this spirit by bringing together developers from across Aotearoa to share the worlds they are creating. Whether you're working on a commercial release, an experimental prototype, a student project, or your next indie hit, the showcase offers an opportunity to put your game in front of the people who can help shape its future.
Exhibitors will have the chance to:
Showcase their game throughout all three days of NZGDC
Meet key members of the New Zealand and international games industry
Demo their game to fellow developers, publishers, media, and potential partners
Conduct playtesting sessions and observe players interacting with their game
Gather valuable feedback from experienced industry professionals
Build awareness for their studio and upcoming projects
A major highlight of the Kiwi Games Zone is Saturday's public open day, when the showcase opens its doors to the wider community. Hundreds of players, families, students, and games enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience the latest games being created in New Zealand, giving developers direct access to real player feedback and fresh perspectives.
The Kiwi Games Zone is more than a showcase - it's where creators come together to share ideas, build connections, and shape the future of game development in Aotearoa.
Applications for the Kiwi Games Zone at NZGDC 2026 are now open.