The Big Indie Awards (Mobile+PC+Console Edition)
at the Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai 2026

The Big Indie Pitch – the intense international quick-fire indie game competition – is coming to China, complete with a dedicated new format!

The event is planned to run in 4 phases.

PHASE 1

Submissions open in June 2026 and close in early-July 2026. All applicants submit via an online form and provide:

• Studio name and contact details
• Team size and company information
• Game description and core gameplay overview
• Target platform (mobile, PC, console)
• Key visuals and artwork
• Gameplay footage and video trailer
• Playable build or download link

Submissions are reviewed jointly by PG Connects and MyGamez representatives under a two-layer selection process. Up to 12 finalist teams are selected from the unified submission pool — open equally to Chinese and international studios.

PHASE 2

A pitching session for the selected finalist teams takes place on July 29 within a dedicated private zone in the Expo Area of the Mandarin Hall, Shanghai International Convention Center (the PG Connects Summit Shanghai venue).

Each finalist team rotates between judge tables. Each pitch slot is 10 minutes, inclusive of product demonstration and Q&A.

PHASE 3

Following the pitching session, judges will convene to consolidate scores and confirm winners. A structured scoring rubric — covering Gameplay, Art & Design, Audio, and Market Potential — ensures consistent evaluation across all judge tables and directly maps to each award category.

PHASE 4

As has become PG Connects tradition, the awards announcement is integrated into the main conference programme, taking place on the main stage immediately before the closing ceremony. Winners are announced in reverse order, with a short trailer played on screen for each winning game. Winners receive trophies and certificates on stage, accompanied by a group photograph, and media coverage across Steel Media and MyGamez networks.

The deadline to submit your game is midnight on July 8.

All submissions will be notified if they are successful in their application to pitch at the event. Please note that all entrants must be able to attend the event and Steel Media will not cover costs associated with getting to the event.

The closing date for entries is July 8, 2026.

*****Please note that the sooner you enter the better a chance of being shortlisted you have. We advise not leaving it until the deadline to apply. If you enter early and wish to update your entry, please email Jupiter Hadley at: [email protected].*****

Just want to attend the event?