Asia’s Top Indie Game Broadcast INDIE Live Expo 2026.12.1 Scheduled for December 1; Sponsorship & Game Submissions Now Open

The Executive Committee of INDIE Live Expo officially announced that the 15th edition of Asia’s largest global digital showcase for independent games, INDIE Live Expo 2026.12.1, will broadcast worldwide simultaneously on Tuesday, December 1, 2026. Sponsorship packages are now available for corporate partners, while submissions for the signature fast-preview segment INDIE Waves are slated to open this September. A brand-new year-end indie game awards program will debut alongside the showcase, delivering an all-in-one international stage for indie developers to gain exposure, business connections and industry recognition.

1. Event Overview

Launched in 2020 under the mission “Contribute to the Gaming Industry”, INDIE Live Expo is a dedicated online summit for indie creators, publishers and gaming audiences worldwide. The broadcast streams simultaneously in Mandarin, Japanese, English and Korean across major global platforms including Bilibili, Twitch, YouTube and Niconico. Since its debut, the event has accumulated over 100 million total views and featured more than 3,300 indie titles from every corner of the globe, cementing its position as Asia’s most influential and world-leading digital indie game exhibition.

This December’s broadcast marks the series’ 15th installment. Exact stream hours, guest lineups, full agenda and platform links will be released gradually via the official website and social media channels. Official Global Site (Chinese): https://indie.live-expo.games/zh/

2. Core Segments & New Additions for 2026.12.1

(1) Flagship Segment: INDIE Waves

INDIE Waves has been a staple feature since the very first broadcast. Every submitted title receives a dedicated 15-second spotlight trailer to showcase new releases, major updates and world premieres in a fast-paced highlight reel. The previous edition featured roughly 160 indie games. Open submissions for this winter’s INDIE Waves will launch around September 2026. Individual creators, studios and publishers worldwide are eligible to apply free of charge. Full submission guidelines and portals will be published on the official website, social media accounts and the free newsletter INDIE Live Expo Letter.

(2) Brand-New Year-End Awards: INDIE Live Expo Awards

This winter broadcast introduces a brand-new authoritative awards program. A jury composed of veteran game producers, gaming media editors, top streamers and industry veterans will select the Most Outstanding Indie Game of the Year. Winners will be announced live during the stream, offering authoritative industry accreditation and global visibility for innovative niche titles.

(3) Corporate Sponsorship Applications Open

Sponsorship inquiries are now officially accepted. Brands including game developers, hardware manufacturers, platform operators and cultural merchandise firms can secure partnership packages ranging from live stream integrations, special feature co-branding, segment naming rights to cross-event campaigns, reaching massive audiences of indie fans and industry professionals. Sponsorship inquiries form: https://indie.live-expo.games/zh/contact/sponsor/

(4) Free Developer Newsletter Subscription

The official free digital newsletter INDIE Live Expo Letter remains open for subscription. It delivers timely updates on showcase submissions, indie marketing strategies, industry reports and global publishing resources, serving as a free knowledge hub for small and mid-sized indie teams. Subscription link: https://indie.live-expo.games/zh/contact/magazine/

3. Industry Significance of INDIE Live Expo

1. Low-Cost Global Exposure: No high physical booth fees or travel expenses required; small indie teams can present their games to multinational audiences simultaneously, solving the marketing resource shortage plaguing independent creators.
2. Global Publishing Bridge: Multi-language live streaming breaks geographic barriers, supporting Chinese indie games to enter overseas markets while introducing innovative foreign works to local players, boosting cross-cultural creative exchange.
3. Full-Support Indie Ecosystem: Integrating game showcases, business matching, industry awards and developer educational content, the event supports the entire lifecycle of indie games from exposure and cooperation to long-term operation.
4. Expanding Indie Game Audience Base: The concise 15-second preview format lowers the threshold for casual viewers to discover niche creative games, continuously expanding the overall market for independent titles.

4. Key Upcoming Timelines

• Immediately: Corporate sponsorship consultation & newsletter subscription open;
• September 2026: Official submission window for INDIE Waves launches;
• Tuesday, December 1, 2026: Global four-language live broadcast of INDIE Live Expo 2026.12.1, featuring the live awards ceremony.