SAGA Barcelona Game Fest is set to make its debut at Fira Barcelona Montjuïc from October 9 to 11, bringing together major gaming companies, independent developers, publishers, creators, and players for a three-day celebration of the video game industry. The inaugural event will occupy more than 14,000 square meters and aims to establish Barcelona as an important meeting point between Spain’s gaming ecosystem and the international industry.
Japan will be the guest country, with Nintendo taking part through an official booth showcasing its latest releases. The Japanese presence will also include veteran composers Miki Higashino and Manami Matsumae, giving attendees an opportunity to meet two influential figures from video game music history.
Nintendo and Legendary Game Composers Highlight Japan’s Presence
Nintendo’s official presence is one of the major attractions of SAGA Barcelona Game Fest 2026. The company will allow visitors to experience its latest games while Japan’s broader contribution to the festival will extend into music and gaming culture.
Miki Higashino is known for her work on Konami titles including Suikoden, Gradius, and early Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games. Manami Matsumae composed the original music for Capcom’s Mega Man and Final Fight, and later contributed to projects including Shovel Knight. Both composers will participate in interviews and meet-and-greet sessions during the event.
The cultural program will also feature Tokyo’s My Famicase Exhibition, which showcases 250 artist-designed cartridges, alongside installations from the Glitch Collection, a performance by Elesky, and a video game soundtrack trivia contest.
29 Publishers Will Connect Developers With International Markets
The professional area is another major part of SAGA Barcelona Game Fest, with 29 publishers participating, including 22 international companies. The lineup represents markets across Japan, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
Participating companies include 11 bit studios, Bandai, Bandai Namco, Devolver Digital, Curve Games, Focus Entertainment, Funcom, Kepler Interactive, Marvelous!, Maximum Entertainment, Serenity Forge, Super Rare Games, The Yogscast, Untold Tales, and WINGS Interactive. Seven Spanish publishers will also participate: Entalto Publishing, Erebor, Hidden Trap, JanduSoft, Kando Factory, Meridiem Games, and Tesura Games.
Through MeetToMatch, nearly 400 participants have already registered and around 350 meetings have been booked. Organizers are targeting 1,500 business meetings during the three-day event, connecting developers with publishers, investors, and distributors.
Larian Games and Funding Programs Support Indie Developers
SAGA will also focus on independent development through its professional programming. Larian Games is sponsoring the “Mentorships for the Future” initiative, which pairs indie teams with experienced industry mentors.
The program will additionally feature pitching and investment sessions coordinated with Madrid In Game, funding support from WINGS Interactive for women-led projects, specialized training, and the IndieDevDay Awards, which recognize achievements in areas including art, design, narrative, and technology.
For the public, the festival will feature more than 200 indie games, retro arcades, esports tournaments, VR experiences, and simulators. Off-site networking events hosted by companies and organizations including Scopely, Devolver Digital, ICEX, Brainwash Gang, and Raw Fury will further connect international guests with Barcelona’s local gaming community.
With its combination of Nintendo’s official presence, Japan’s cultural showcase, international publishers, business networking, and indie-focused programs, SAGA Barcelona Game Fest is positioning its first edition as a major European gaming industry gathering.
