Day of the Devs

What Day of the Devs does

Day of the Devs is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established in 2012, that produces curated video game showcase events and exhibitions. It operates both in-person events, hosted at venues such as the Dolby Theatre in conjunction with Summer Game Fest, and virtual digital showcases streamed online; since 2012 the organization states it has featured hundreds of games, hosted thousands of in-person attendees, and reached millions of viewers through virtual showcases. The organization is co-founded and operated in collaboration with Double Fine Productions and iam8bit, with a board that includes Tim Schafer, Greg Rice, Amanda White, Jon M. Gibson, and James Spafford, and is structured as a component fund of Legacy Global Programs (EIN 20-8099462) to accept tax-deductible contributions. Its product is essentially an editorial/curation platform: indie developers submit games through a submission portal, the organization curates a slate, and the slate is presented at marquee industry moments and archived on a public game directory, all provided free to developers and attendees.

The organization monetizes entirely through donations and corporate sponsorships rather than ticketing or paid access. The sponsor roster is anchored by Xsolla as flagship sponsor, supplemented by platform holders (Sony/PlayStation, ID@Xbox), publishers (Devolver Digital, Annapurna Interactive, Blumhouse Games, Panic, Sabotage Studio, Studio MDHR), tooling and hardware providers (Unity, Razer), and event/media partners (Summer Game Fest, fortyseven communications, Area 5 as production partner since 2020). All programs are provided free of charge to both indie developers and audiences, and there is no disclosed revenue, headcount, proprietary technology stack, API, mobile app, or AI/ML capability. Day of the Devs serves two primary segments: independent and underrepresented game developers seeking visibility to mainstream gaming audiences, and video game players seeking curated discovery of distinctive indie titles.

Name

Day of the Devs

Legal name

Day of the Devs, LLC

Website

https://dayofthedevs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Day of the Devs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that runs free curated indie video game showcases, both in-person (e.g., Summer Game Fest at the Dolby Theatre) and virtual, connecting indie developers with millions of players and funded by donations and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indie Game Showcases and Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM)

Keywords

• Indie game showcases
• Gaming event production
• Nonprofit exhibitions
• Developer showcase programs
• Video game festivals

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: As a non-profit organization, Day of the Devs operates entirely on donations and voluntary support. They do not charge for their programs and all showcases are free for attendees and developers. Revenue comes from corporate sponsors and individual donors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Day of the Devs is a non-profit organization that produces curated in-person video game exhibitions and virtual showcases to celebrate indie and underrepresented game developers. Since 2012 it has featured hundreds of games, hosted thousands of attendees at live events, and reached millions of viewers online through free showcases created in collaboration with Double Fine Productions and iam8bit. All programs are provided entirely free of charge to developers and audiences, funded by donations and corporate sponsors.

Product overview

Day of the Devs is a non-profit organization that operates as a video game showcase and event platform. Their core offering consists of curated digital showcases and in-person events that celebrate video game creativity and connect developers with players. Programs are provided entirely for free. The organization features games through their digital showcase programs and maintains a curated game archive. They operate their programs in collaboration with Double Fine Productions and iam8bit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Day of the Devs In-Person Events Free curated live exhibitions showcasing selected independent and underrepresented video games to thousands of attendees at prestigious venues such as the Dolby Theatre (Summer Game Fest) and standalone Day of the Devs editions (e.g., San Francisco Edition 2024).
• Day of the Devs Digital Showcases Free online streamed showcase programs featuring curated indie games, reaching millions of viewers globally through digital distribution. Editions include Day of the Devs The Game Awards Edition (2023) and Day of the Devs Summer Game Fest Edition.

Quantifiable outcome

• Featured hundreds of games since 2012
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, founding, core and other.

• XsollaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerXsolla serves as the flagship sponsor of Day of the Devs. Xsolla is a payment platform for video games that helps developers manage and optimize their monetization.
• Double Fine ProductionsfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble Fine Productions is a founding sponsor and co-creator of Day of the Devs, founded by Tim Schafer. The studio helps run the organization alongside iam8bit.
• iam8bitfoundingStrategic or Co-development Partneriam8bit is a founding sponsor and co-creator of Day of the Devs. The creative agency handles event production, publishing, and marketing for indie games.
• Summer Game FestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer Game Fest hosts Day of the Devs showcases at their events, including the Dolby Theatre showcase during Summer Game Fest season.
• fortyseven communicationscoreGTM or Marketing Partnerfortyseven communications is a premium communications agency serving as Day of the Devs' PR partner. They handle press inquiries and strategic communications.
• Area 5coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArea 5 is a video production company that serves as the production partner for Day of the Devs digital showcases since 2020. Former video game journalists who produce documentary and showcase content.
• UnityotherGTM or Marketing PartnerGame engine provider and sponsor of Day of the Devs events.
• Annapurna InteractiveotherGTM or Marketing PartnerPublisher of acclaimed indie games and sponsor of Day of the Devs.
• Blumhouse GamesotherGTM or Marketing PartnerHorror-focused game publisher and sponsor of Day of the Devs.
• Devolver DigitalotherGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent games publisher and sponsor of Day of the Devs.
• ID@XboxotherGTM or Marketing PartnerMicrosoft's independent developer program and sponsor of Day of the Devs.
• PanicotherGTM or Marketing PartnerGame developer/publisher known for Firewatch, Untitled Goose Game, and Playdate handheld, and sponsor of Day of the Devs.
• Sony Computer Entertainment and PlayStationotherGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor gaming platform holder and sponsor of Day of the Devs.
• RazerotherGTM or Marketing PartnerGaming hardware company and sponsor of Day of the Devs.
• Sabotage StudiootherGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent game developer (creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge) and sponsor of Day of the Devs.
• Studio MDHRotherGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent game developer (creator of Cuphead) and sponsor of Day of the Devs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Summer Game Fest: Summer Game Fest is a broader industry-wide gaming showcase produced by Geoff Keighley that actually hosts Day of the Devs at the Dolby Theatre each year. A larger incumbent that operates in adjacent showcase territory and serves as a key distribution partner.
• Gamescom (Koelnmesse): Gamescom is Europe's largest gaming event with consumer and industry showcases including indie programming (gamescom indie area). A larger incumbent competitor for global gaming event attention and indie visibility.
• The Game Awards: The Game Awards is a broader annual awards and showcase event that hosts Day of the Devs as a partner segment. A larger, broader-gaming incumbent that overlaps with Day of the Devs in audience and date adjacency.

Direct peers

• BitSummit: BitSummit is Japan's leading indie game festival, featuring curated indie showcases with both in-person and digital elements. Closely mirrors Day of the Devs' curated indie showcase model at a regional scale.
• Penny Arcade / PAX: Penny Arcade runs the PAX family of gaming conventions (PAX East, West, South, Aus), the most comparable direct peer as an indie-friendly consumer gaming event organizer with multi-city in-person programming and a strong online video presence.
• Devolver Digital: Devolver Digital is an indie publisher that runs its own showcase events (Devolver Digital Direct) and is also a sponsor of Day of the Devs. Comparable as a curator-led indie games showcase organizer.
• Annapurna Interactive: Annapurna Interactive runs its own indie game showcase and is a sponsor of Day of the Devs. A comparable curated indie showcase organizer within the publisher space.
• IndieCade: IndieCade is a non-profit dedicated exclusively to independent games, running festivals, showcases, and curated programming. Directly comparable mission (celebrating indie games), non-profit structure, and curation-led event format.
• Steam Next Fest (Valve): Steam Next Fest is a free, recurring online showcase of upcoming indie games with demos and developer livestreams. Directly comparable as a free virtual indie game showcase reaching massive audiences.

Regional players

• Tokyo Game Show (CESA): Tokyo Game Show is a major Asian gaming showcase with significant indie and virtual event programming. Comparable as a large-scale gaming showcase organizer, though primarily serving the Japanese/Asian market.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dayofthedevs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DayoftheDevs
• Instagraminstagram.com/dayofthedevs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Day of the Devs