Dutch Game Week 2025 presents its program

Dutch Game Week 2025 (27 November – 4 December) presents its program. With more focus than ever on innovation, connection and creative growth, this year’s event week once again forms the epicenter of the Dutch and international game industry.

Under the motto “Dive into the World of Play”, Dutch Game Week showcases the full breadth of the gaming world: from artistic experimentation and technological innovation to social impact and emerging talent. The week brings professionals, players, and the public together in Breda for conferences, workshops, networking events, and festive highlights such as the Dutch Game Awards.

Program Highlights

Creative elite at Playgrounds Conference 3 & 4 December
On December 3 and 4, the Chassé Theater transforms into a hub of knowledge and inspiration. During this two-day conference, international studios, creative pioneers, and innovators will share their vision through talks, panel discussions, portfolio reviews, and hands-on game demos.
For attendees, program tracks have been developed around key areas of interest: entertainment, esports, business, and applied gaming.

Games as an art form in the Entertainment Track
From visual style to narrative innovation, this program focuses on games as an art form. Creators and artists share their creative processes, artistic considerations, and perspectives. The line-up includes artist talks with leading speakers such as art director Bram Sels, who will discuss his work as a visual development artist for Love, Death + Robots, Magic: The Gathering, League of Legends, The Lego Movie 2, and most recently Eyes of Wakanda.

The future of esports in the spotlight
On December 4, the future of esports takes center stage with talks, roundtables, and practical insights – a unique opportunity to follow the latest developments in competitive gaming up close.
Speaker Renzo Oemrawsingh, multiple esports champion and esports manager and coach of Team Gullit, has been the Dutch national e-coach since 2022. Much like his colleague Ronald Koeman, he is responsible for the technical and tactical composition of the (E-)Oranje selection.

Business Track connects creators with investors
Studios, investors, and publishers meet to exchange knowledge and forge valuable collaborations. Through the matchmaking platform MeetToMatch, investors, publishers, and funds from the Netherlands and abroad engage directly with the talent from Breda and beyond.
Participating companies include: Nintendo Europe (DE), 2K (US), Creative Europe Media (NL), CIIIC (NL), ForsVC (BE), Iceberg Interactive BV (NL), Metaroot (CH), Microids (FR), Municipality of Breda (NL), Mystic Forge (NL), PQube (UK), Soedesco (NL), Square Enix Collective (UK) and Marvelous Europe (UK).

Applied Gaming Track / Avans Applied Gaming Workshops (2 December)
During Dutch Game Week, Avans University of Applied Sciences opens its doors for a day dedicated to the power of Applied Gaming. Visitors will discover how games can provide insights into social issues and serve as powerful tools for inspiring new behavior.
In line with Dutch Game Week’s ambition to position games beyond pure entertainment, this track showcases projects with educational, therapeutic, or behavioral change goals. Themes such as serious gaming, gamification, and social engagement take the spotlight.

Festive highlight: Dutch Game Awards 2025 (3 December, evening program)
On December 3, the Dutch Game Awards 2025 ceremony takes place at the Chassé Theater. The evening begins with a reception and dinner at 18:30, followed by the award ceremony at 20:00 and concluding with a party and networking session.
Nine awards will be presented (including Best Game, Best Applied Game, Best Art, Best Narrative, and Best Technology) plus four special awards: Inclusion, Best in Business, Best Studio, and Career Achievement.
More than 50 submissions, ranging from student projects to commercial releases and innovative applied games, are in the running for a prize.

Young creators take the stage at Next OOMPH! (4 December, evening program)
On December 4, Next OOMPH! will take over Pier15 — an evening dedicated to young creators with a visual focus. Animators, illustrators, and visual artists present their work, give interviews, and engage actively with the audience. This edition features an entirely game-related program.

“With this program we’re building bridges between disciplines within gaming from economy to art, from competition to social impact,” says Dutch Game Week initiator Leon van Rooij. “You don’t just come here for new ideas; through these tracks, all visitors together help shape the future of game culture.”

More info & tickets: www.dutchgameweek.nl

Breda as a European game hotspot
Dutch Game Week underscores Breda’s position as an international gaming hotspot. The city is home to a growing network of creative companies, educational institutions, and young talent. Thanks to close collaboration between education (BUas, Avans), culture, and industry, Breda is developing into a leading center for the creative digital industries — with Dutch Game Week as its annual highlight.

Partners
Dutch Game Week is an initiative by Playgrounds, organized in collaboration with the Province of North Brabant, the Municipality of Breda, BUas, Avans, De Rooi Pannen, Nieuwe Veste, Dynasty Esports, Breda Game City, and Breda Marketing.