Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the International Game Inventors' Fair
The Game Inventors' Fair is aimed at creators of board and social games in the broadest sense — games of the type typically featured by publishers in Halls 10.0 and 10.1 of the Spielwarenmesse. In the prototype profile we distinguish between the following game categories: children's games, family games, games for experienced players, educational games.
The presentation in the prototype profile is limited to 3 game ideas. On site you may present as many games as you wish. There is no limit other than the space available on the table. All tables have the standard size of 150 x 90 cm.
The standard table size is 150 x 90 cm. The table surface cannot be extended.
The event is for anyone seeking a publisher for the release of game ideas. It is advisable to plan sufficient time for thorough preparation and follow‑up of your participation so you’re your investment pays off.
Yes, there are a total of 150 places at the Game Inventors' Convention to ensure a sensible ratio between participants and visitors. Once the 150 places have been allocated, further applicants will be placed on a waiting list and may be offered a place if one becomes available.
Registration opened in June 2026. The registration deadline is 15 December 2026.
Yes, you can bring a companion with Participation Package 2 for €170 plus VAT. This includes tickets for two people (for you and your companion). Additional companions must register separately for a visitor ticket.
Please complete the registration form. Pay the participation fee after receipt of the invoice in August. We are currently revising the prototype profile. From September we will send the links to the online input form to everyone who has paid their participation fee.
Your prototype profile is an essential document for the fair preparation carried out by game editorial teams. Only with it can you ensure that publishers notice you and - if interested - arrange an appointment with you or visit your table. In the contact details on the prototype profile we will explicitly ask whether you consent to publication in advance via the internet. Furthermore, it helps us to attract more attention to the Game Inventors' Fair through more substantial PR announcements.
You will come to the NCC Mitte, Level 1 and locate your table using the hall plan of the International Game Inventors' Convention.
After payment of the participation fee a table will be reserved for you in the NCC Mitte, Level 1. You will receive the table numbers in advance and can find them using the hall plan of the International Game Inventors' Convention.
Many wear a name badge displaying the publisher’s logo and name.
For coffee, refreshments and snacks there is a stand at the International Game Inventors' Convention in the NCC Mitte, Level 1 - in front of the Brussels Hall there is a stall selling drinks and snacks. Self‑catering is of course permitted.
Cancellation requests should be sent by e‑mail to g.neumann@spielwarenmesse.de. Due to organisational effort, a refund of the participation fee is generally not provided in the event of cancellation. Exception: if Spielwarenmesse eG is forced to cancel the International Game Inventors’ Convention due to hygiene regulations, a full refund of the participation fee will be issued.
For this event, visitors include game editors, product managers, game agencies, game critics, trade journalists and bloggers. Game inventors may register as participants and present their game ideas at a table; retailers and buyers are not intended visitor groups.
Click the links for information on travel and accommodation. The earlier you book, the better the price!
Upon receipt of the admission ticket you can create a personal profile on the Spielwarenmesse Digital platform. For participants of the Game Inventors' Fair no media package for a Spielwarenmesse Digital company presentation is included. Media packages can be purchased separately.
Do I have to present more than one game? Could I present ten games?
How big is the table for presentation?
Who can register for the International Game Inventor Convention?
Is the number of participants limited?
What is the Game Designer Portrait for?
How will I recognise editors and publishing reps?
Catering during the duration of the Game Inventors' Fair
Until when can participants cancel?
Can I also simply come as a visitor?
Which games should I present?
The Game Inventor Convention is aimed at designers of tabletop games in a broad sense, especially the kinds of games in the catalogues of the publishing houses in Hall 10.0 and 10.1 of the Spielwarenmesse. In the Game Designer Portrait you can distinguish between the following game categories: children's games, family games, connoisseur games, educational games.
Do I have to present more than one game? Could I present ten games?
Every designer can present as many games as they wish, the only limit being whether there’s room on their table. One table has the size 45x150 cm. Additional tables (45x150 cm) can be booked.
How big is the table for presentation?
In order to be able to continue to offer a moderate participation price, the basic size of the tables remains 45x150 cm. Anyone who needs a larger table area can book additional tables. An extra table costs 15 €.
Who can register for the International Game Inventor Convention?
Anyone looking for a publishing house to pick up their game ideas.
Is the number of participants limited?
Yes, there are 140 places in total at the International Game Inventors' Fair 2024 so that we can build up a reasonable ratio between participants and visitors. Once the 140 places are taken, all other interested parties will be put on the waiting list with a chance of a place at a later date.
How do I register?
You can register from from summer 2024. The closing date for registration is in December 2024.
What do I need to register?
Your completed Game Designer Portrait for upload, your contact details to fill in the registration form and the registration fee. We will announce the prices at the beginning of September. We will provide a sample for the author portrait from 5 October 2023.
What is the Game Designer Portrait for?
Your Game Designer Portrait is the essential document for games editors to prepare their fair visit. It is the only way to get publishers to take notice of you and, if they are interested, to arrange an appointment with you or visit you at your table. The Game Designer Portrait introduces you and your prototypes in short form to your table visitors, for example, when you are immersed in a conversation. For the information on the Game Designer Portrait, we explicitly ask you in the contact details whether you also agree to publication in advance via the internet. It also helps us to draw more attention to the Game Inventors' Fair with more substantial PR announcements.
How does check-in work?
You come to NCC Mitte, level 1, and identify your table using the hall plan of the International Game Inventors' Fair. The Spielwarenmesse eG team will then hand you your name badge.
How do I get my table?
You are entitled to a table in the NCC Mitte, level 1, on payment of your participation fee. You will receive the table numbers in advance and find them with the help of the hall plan of the International Game Inventors' Fair.
How will I recognise editors and publishing reps?
Many will wear a name tag with the logo and name of their publishing company.
Wo finde ich Speisen und Getränke während der Laufzeit der Spieleerfindermesse?
The nearest café is located in NCC Mitte, level 0- self-catering is of course permitted.
Until when can participants cancel?
Please let us know via e-mail. Unfortunately, we cannot refund the participation fee in the event of cancellation due to the organisational work involved. Exception: if Spielwarenmesse eG is forced to cancel the International Game Inventor Convention due to COVID-19 regulations, you will be refunded the participation fee in full.
Can I also simply come as a visitor?
Game editors, product managers, game agencies, game critics, trade journalists and bloggers are welcome to visit. Game designers can register as participants to present their game ideas at a table. Retailers and buyers are not an eligible visitor group.
Participation in Spielwarenmesse Digital
When you receive your admission ticket, you can create a personal profile at Spielwarenmesse Digital, which is taking place at the same time. No media package for a Spielwarenmesse Digital company presentation is included for participants of the Game Inventors' Fair. Media packages can be purchased separately.
Information on the Spielwarenmesse Digital media package