IGEA Educates Summit Returns in 2026
The Australian games industry association, IGEA, has announced the return of its free online Educates Summit on 7 July. This year’s event will focus on ‘stepping stones’ into the games industry, offering valuable insights and guidance for aspiring developers.
The summit will feature talks from local Australian developers working at prominent studios such as Gameloft, Riot Games, Sledgehammer Games, Chaos Theory, Unity, and Playful. Each speaker will share their expertise and advice, helping attendees navigate the complexities of entering the sector.
IGEA highlights that finding a pathway into the games industry can be challenging. ‘Expectations are not always obvious, missteps happen easily, and from the outside the industry can sometimes feel like uncharted territory. Which path is right for you?’ These questions will be addressed during the summit, providing essential knowledge for those who tune in.
What to Expect at the 2026 IGEA Educates Summit
The IGEA Educates Summit will take place online via Discord, with free tickets available for anyone interested in attending. The event will offer a range of learning sessions designed to help students and emerging developers understand the expectations, pathways, and realities of working in the games industry.
Attendees can look forward to breakout sessions covering topics such as professional behavior and workplace expectations; the art of creative collaboration and navigating differing perspectives; career pathways across AAA, indie, and contract work; career trajectories within established studios; insights from Unity’s 2026 Game Development Report; the growing importance of play testing; and how developers can position their games for success in today’s attention economy.
Professional Development for Early-Career Developers
In addition to educational opportunities, the summit will provide networking opportunities between developers and future game makers. Siloed networking sessions and community discussions will be available throughout the day, making it an ideal event for those in the early stages of their game development careers or those seeking to begin their journey.
The overarching aim of the event is to provide a realistic look at career opportunities in the field, offering inspiration and advice while not shying away from the modern realities facing game developers and the games industry as a whole.
Networking and Community Engagement
The IGEA Educates Summit will also facilitate connections between developers and potential collaborators, creating a supportive environment for learning and growth. Attendees will have the chance to engage in meaningful discussions and build relationships that could lead to future opportunities.
Free Tickets Now Available
Free tickets for the 2026 IGEA Educates Summit are now available. The event will take place online on 7 July, making it accessible to a wide audience of aspiring developers and industry professionals.
Other Events to Look Out For
In addition to the Educates Summit, other events are set to take place in 2026. Play Now Melbourne, a flagship game developer-focused event for Melbourne International Games Week, is officially returning on 8 October. This event connects local video game developers with prominent publishers, investors, and platform holders, aiming to gather support and potential buyers to bring Australian-made games to the world.
As shared by VicScreen, a range of globally-recognised publishers and investors have already been confirmed for the 2026 event, including Devolver Digital, Massive Monster, PlaySide Studios, Pavlova Games, Evil Landfall, Fellow Traveller, Focus Entertainment, Dotemu, The Arcade Crew, Umbrella Entertainment, Ultra Players, and WINGS.
In 2025, Play Now Melbourne saw 78 developer teams presenting their projects to 21 publishers, investors, and platform holders over 230 total meetings, with pairings determined by taste, genre, style, and intended direction.
