Feature

Updated: Pocket Gamer's Gamescom and GDC Europe 2016 party and networking guide

Drink, eat, and chat after-hours

Updated: Pocket Gamer's Gamescom and GDC Europe 2016 party and networking guide

[Based on information from our industry super spies and the excellent Facebook group GDC, E3 and gamescom Party ScheduleIf you know of any events that aren't featured here, contact Matt.Suckley (at) steelmedia.co.uk with details.]

With Gamescom, GDC Europe, and Respawn all taking place from 15-21 August, the games industry in Europe (and beyond) is preparing for a busy week in Cologne.

However, while we all may be busying ourselves with booking meetings and highlighting interesting talks, after-hours networking is just as important. You know what they say about all work and no play.

And so, to help you get the balance right, PocketGamer.biz has put together a list of all the parties and networking opprtunities you should be looking to attend.

Call us biased, but we reckon that our very own 

should be at the top of your list.

 

MONDAY 15 AUGUST

 

  • What: GDC Europe VIP Lounge

When: Monday 15 August, 9:30am-4pm
Where: Second floor, Congress-Centrum Ost Koelnmesse/ KölnKongress Cologne, Congress Center East,
Deutz-Mülheimer Straße 51, 50679 Köln
How: http://www.gdceurope.com/attend/passes.php#section4
Cost: €99, including access for one guest with a valid GDC Europe pass
More info: "The GDC Europe VIP Lounge will include light breakfast, lunch, coffee and other beverages throughout the day in a comfortable networking setting."

 

  • What: RESPAWN 2016 Party Night

When: Monday 15 August, 8pm-2am
Where: Dock.ONE, Hafenstraße 1, 50163 Köln
How: Eventbrite link
Cost: Free
More info: Drinks and international food trucks available. DJ Mustache Man and Iggy Forte to play dance hits.

 

TUESDAY 16 AUGUST

 

  • What: GDC Europe VIP Lounge

When: Tuesday 16 August, 9:30am-4pm
Details: See above

  • What: Big Indie Pitch @ Gamescom 2016

When: Tuesday 16 August, 5pm - 10pm
Where: Jameson Distillery Pub, Friesenstraße 30, 50670 Köln, Germany.
How: http://www.pocketgamer.biz/events/804/big-indie-pitch-gamescom-2016/
Cost: Free
More info: Our famous Big Indie Pitch event brings its speed dating-inspired approach to Cologne, giving independent developers of mobile, VR, or even smartwatch games the chance to wow our judges for glory (and prizes). More than this, however, it's an excellent networking opportunity in its own right, with those not pitching more than welcome to watch the events unfold before the winners are announced and networking drinks ensue.

 

  • What: European Mobile Drinks

When: Tuesday 16 August, 5pm - 7pm
Where: KölnSky, 28th floor, Ottoplatz 1, Cologne
How: Invite only, details here
Cost: Free
More info: First established at GDC 2014, the European Mobile Drinks brings together a small and exclusive group of games industry representatives for networing, food, and drinks.

 

Gilden im Zims, the venue for the Game Connection Happy Hour

  •  What: Cologne Game Labs Technicolor Party & BBQ

When: Tuesday 16 August, 5pm - 11pm
Where: Cologne Game Labs, Schanzenstraße 28, Cologne, NRW 51063
How: Invite only.
Cost: Free
More info: http://www.colognegamelab.de/event/summer-party/

 

  • What: Game Connection Happy Hour

When: Tuesday 16 August, 6pm
Where: Gilden im Zims "Heimat kölscher Helden"Heumarkt 77, 50667 Köln.
How: RSVP here
Cost: Free
More info: RSVP before 10 August. Party accommodates no more than 200 people.

 

WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST

 

  • What: Berlin-Brandenburg Get-Together @ Gamescom 2016

When: Wednesday 17 August, 5pm - 7pm
Where: Halle 2.2, Stand-Nr.: C-31-B30 Messegemeinschaftsstand der Länder Berlin und Brandenburg.
How: Business pass.
Cost: Free
More info: Complimentary currywurst and beer.

  • What: Playmob and DeltaDNA Drinks

When: Wednesday 17 August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Fruh am Dom, Am Hof 12-14, 50667 Köln
How: Register here
Cost: Free
More info: Pop in for a drink before the G-STAR and Pocket Gamer Party

 

  • What: G-STAR & Pocket Gamer Party in Association with G2A

When: Wednesday 17 August, 7pm - 12am
Where:
 Club-Lounge Einundfünfzig Drink&B'eat - Hohenzollernring 51, 50672
How: RSVP here
Cost: Free
More info: Read more here

 

  • What: InnoGames Beach Party

When: Wednesday 17 August, 7pm - 1am
Where: Cologne Beach Club km689, Rheinparkweg 1, 50679 Cologne
How: Invite only; reqest invitation here
Cost: Free

 

  • What: Nordic Party at Gamescom

When: Wednesday 17 August, 8pm - 1am
Where: Biergarten Aachener-Wieher - Richard-Wagner-Straße, 50674 Köln
How: Eventbrite link
Cost: Free

 

THURSDAY 18 AUGUST

 

  • What: Beer, Swiss Chocolate and Games @ #SwissGames Area

When: Thursday 18 August, 5pm - 7pm
Where: Gamescom Business Area, Hall 4.1, Stand D22 E21, Kölnmesse, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln
How: Eventbrite link
Cost: Free
More info: Chocolate, beer, and a chance to participate in a tournament to celebrate the launch of The Neighborhood - the latest AirConsole game, due to be released during Gamescom.

  • What: European Union Medieval Times Boat Feast

When: Thursday 18 August, boarding at 7pm, depature at 8pm
Where: Landebrücke (Docking Station) Nr. 3 am Kölner, Altstadtufer / Frankenwerft
How: Register here
Cost: Free, limited to 300 places
More info: Medieval-themed cruise, with knights, witches and jesters included. Early registration recommended.

 

FRIDAY 19 AUGUST

 

  • What: Fischbrötchen reception by gamecity:Hamburg

When: Friday 19 August, 12pm
Where: Hall 3.2, Booth B-014
How: Go by the Hamburg booth from 12pm
Cost: Free
More info: A free fish sandwich to celebrate the upcoming gamecity:Hamburg. Read more here.

 

  • What: Adventure-Treff-Party 2016

When: Friday 19 August, 5pm
Where: Poller Strandbar, Alfred-Schütte-Allee 34, 51105 Cologne
How: RSVP here
Cost: Free
More info: Read more here

 

SATURDAY 20 AUGUST

 

  • ESL & Twitch Gamescom party

When: Saturday 20 August, 10pm - 5am
Where: Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld, Bartholomäus-Schink-Str. 76, 50825
How: Tickets here
Cost: €15
More info: Free beer all night

Pocket Gamer will also be out in full force at the party (and Gamescom in general), so if you'd like to arrange a meeting you can contact us at the following:

  • PocketGamer.biz editorial: Matt.Suckley (at) steelmedia.co.uk / Craig.Chapple (at) steelmedia.co.uk
  • Biz Dev B2B - Alex.Boucher (at) steelmedia.co.uk
  • SM Agency & B2C Sales - Alex.Rennie (at) steelmedia.co.uk
  • PocketGamer.co.uk editorial - Dave.Bradley (at) steelmedia.co.uk
Features Editor

Matt is really bad at playing games, but hopefully a little better at writing about them. He's Features Editor for PocketGamer.biz, and has also written for lesser publications such as IGN, VICE, and Paste Magazine.