Liv Game Summit returns on 11th June.
What started as a casual meet-up in 2022 has since snowballed into a premier destination for the games industry to engage, connect, and discover new opportunities.
Liv Games Network network has hosted a number of initiatives to help businesses, developers and start-ups learn more about the inner workings of the wider games industry, as seen through its Spotlight series, Games Pitching Bootcamp, Games Tech Connect session and monthly networking meet-ups.
However its growth was perhaps best defined by an event at BOXPARK Liverpool in June 2025, where over 200 people attended the first ever Liv Game Summit. Attendees were able to access multiple points of value to cater to the varying needs of the network. This involved engaging in live panels, receiving portfolio reviews from studio professionals, hearing from exhibiting partners, playing games being made by the next generation of local developers, and of course networking with the wider industry.
Momentum is already building for Liv Games Summit 2026, held again at BOXPARK Liverpool, on 11th June. “I think attendees will see that we’ve gone up another level this time,” says Marek Smagala, Founder of Liv Games Network.
What’s happening at Liv Game Summit 2026?
Some of the biggest changes from its first iteration will see Liv Game Summit 2026 host a 1-to-1 matchmaking portal, present a higher quality indie games showcase, more industry input from partners, and a stronger roster of talks and panels.
Marek also highlights how the overall setup will be a bit different at 2026’s summit. “We’re going to have two stages with talks going on at the same time so people can dip in and out this year. It will be more flexible in that sense, letting you do more with your time as you please. We’ve got a fantastically varied roster of sessions that I’m certain will provide some great insights across the day for our attendees.”
Hundreds attended the first Liv Game Summit back in 2025. Credit: Corrupted Lens
Liv Games Network is also partnering with local business Generative Minds, to provide attendees with a 1-to-1 matchmaking portal, allowing them to map out their day and really make the most of the session. “Our attendee’s time is valuable, and providing access to the portal will help reduce that initial networking friction. Ticket holders can sign up, outline what they’re looking for and what they need, and then find matches with other attendees. I’m really excited to bring this feature to the event.”
The headline session will be a ‘Fireside Chat’ with BAFTA- and Grammy-nominated games composer Richard Jacques, whose work has spanned decades of iconic games, including the likes of Headhunter, James Bond 007: Blood Stone, and more recently Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Overwatch 2.
Liv Game Summit 2026 also has a strong lineup of industry support, showcasing the momentum and positive reputation the event has garnered. Partners include the likes of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Growth Platform, Lucid Games Ltd, XP-Pro Eyewear, Form, Brabners, Glitch Free Accounting and Xcubated Business Solutions.
For the love of the game
Liv Games Summit 2026 will have the games industry and the people who make it up at its heart. Nowhere is this more noticeable than in Liv Games Network’s offer to provide a limited number of free tickets to local developers who may have fallen on hard times lately.
“We’ll be providing some free full-price tickets for people that have been laid off between the start of 2025 and the present day,” Marek explains.
“I think we’re going to see, with all the lay-offs, more devs out of work which obviously isn’t the best situation,” he says. “In an increasingly volatile industry, coming together to help each other out is so important. It’s integral for those developers and the wider ecosystem – artists, studios, publishers and others – to keep the lights on and keep things moving forward.”
Which gives the 2026 summit’s free ‘Indie Dev Showcase’ another dimension. “I’m sure we’re going to see more smaller, high-quality indie studios, games and projects being released. And if there’s a way that we can try and support that, then I’m all over it!” Marek explains.
The indie games showcase will be returning in 2026. Credit: Corrupted Lens
A select number of dev teams will be able to showcase directly to summit attendees for the duration of the day, free of charge, and get a Spotlight placement in the summit’s pre‑event outreach. “We want to give great devs the platform to show themselves and their work off, express their talent, and make an impact on the industry.”
The event will also see the return of a charity raffle, in aid of Games Charity SpecialEffect, and local children’s charity YKids.
With the Summit just over 1 month away, Liverpool is gearing up for the next iteration of this new flagship games industry event.
“Remember, all roads lead to the summit!”
Tickets are now available for Liv Games Summit 2026!
Book your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/liv-game-summit-2026-tickets-1976457550739?aff=oddtdtcreator