25 February 2027 14:00-22:00TBA

Photo byBennett FrazieronUnsplash

Welcome to The Great Demo Fest!

Thursday, 25th February 2027 | 13:00–22:00

Let Your Game Do the Talking

A great pitch opens doors, but a playable build closes the deal. The Great Demo Fest complements your business strategy by focusing 100% on hands-on gameplay.

No PowerPoint decks required. We are putting the spotlight exactly where it belongs: on your technical talent, creative innovation, and the live player experience.

Win 50,000 SEK – Judged by the Industry

Bring your demo and compete for 50,000 SEK for Best Demo. The winner is chosen entirely on-site by a jury of games industry experts based on the actual gameplay experience on the expo floor.


🗓️ 13:00–22:00, Thursday February 25th

📍 TBA, Karlstad

🎟️ Tickets are FREE

The Great Journey aims to promote ambitious teams and studios looking to be a part of the growing local games industry in Värmland, Sweden. For more information: https://www.thegreatjourney.se.

Demo Submissions Are Open!

Submissions for the The Great Demo Fest 2027 Showcase are officially open! Make sure to review the eligibility criteria before submitting and compete for a total prize pool of 50,000 SEK!

(The deadline for submissions is January 24. Don't forget that all team members must also secure a free event ticket here on Confetti to gain entry to the venue.)

✍️ APPLY HERE >

Location

The event will be held in Karlstad, Värmland. The exact venue will be announced soon! We are currently locking down the perfect space in Karlstad to host our developers, publishers, and guests.

Secure Your Spot

The event is strictly limited to 150 attendees (including exhibitors) to keep networking impactful and focused.

Age Limit & Bar

There will be a bar at the venue serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the afternoon and evening. Please note that since alcoholic drinks are available, the event is strictly 18+ and a valid ID may be required for entry.

Questions?

info@thegreatjourney.se

© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors

Who can attend?

Everyone aged 18 and above is welcome to join us as attendees. Your support and curiosity fuel this community. Cheer on your fellow developers and be inspired.

Who can submit?

To be eligible to showcase your game, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Age Limit: All team members showcasing on-site must be 18+ years or older.
  • On-Time Application: Your application must be submitted before the official deadline.
  • Playable Demo: You must deliver a functioning, playable build/demo on the event day.
  • Unreleased Games Only: The competition is strictly for unreleased titles. Games already launched or out in Early Access are not eligible.
  • Past Winners Eligibility Clause: To ensure a fair platform for emerging projects, games that have been showcased and won first place at any previous demo event or pitch competition hosted by The Great Journey are not eligible to enter the main competition as active competitors.

Logistics & Prize Money

Bring Your Own Tech (BYOT): You are responsible for bringing, setting up, and taking home all necessary hardware (PCs, consoles, screens, controllers) needed to showcase your game.

The 50,000 SEK Prize: To receive the prize money, the winning team must have a registered company. If you don't have this yet, The Great Journey will help you set it up after the event.

Important dates

  • Oct 15 - Demo Submission Opens
  • Jan 24 - Submission Deadline
  • Jan 28 - Response if Accepted
  • Feb 4 - Demo Day!

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