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March 9-13, 2026
Moscone CenterSan Francisco, CA

Agenda

Indie Soapbox: Playing it Unsafe

Hot Pink  (Game Developer, HotPink Games)
Adanna Nedd  (Narrative Designer & Games Writer, Independent)
Sarah Slovak  (Narrative Designer, Lunacy Studios)
Akash Thakkar  (Sound Designer, Independent)
Jenny Jiao Hsia  (Creative Director, Hexecutable)
Ryan Ike  (Composer, Independent)
Claire L. Evans  (Blippo+ Writer, YACHT)
Jona Bechtolt  (Blippo+ Game & Creative Director, YACHT)
Cass Riordan  (Engineer, No Goblin)
Location: Room 204, South Hall
Date: Monday, March 9
Time: 3:10 pm - 4:10 pm
Pass Type: Festival Pass, Game Changer Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: Independent Development
Format: Lecture
Vault Recording: Not Recorded

Indie Soapbox is the chance for indie devs from diverse backgrounds and projects to come together to share their thoughts, lessons and provocations about indie game dev in this long standing microtalk format. This session features a rich and varied set of themes and topics, all in a punchy format that is sure to provoke, inspire, and broaden your horizons.


Our chosen theme this year is “Playing It Unsafe": diving into the role of indie games in driving innovation and boundary pushing, where devs are exploring themes, conventions, gameplay, representations, etc. that aren't happening elsewhere, and how that breathes vitality into the rest of the industry.

Takeaway

This broad spread of punchy, thought-provoking microtalks will leave attendees with new directions, questions, and fresh ways to rally together as indie game developers.

Intended Audience

With a varied line up and spread of topics, this microtalk session will have something for everyone, at all stages in their career.