Apply to the Game Devs of Color Expo

Apply to speak at our online conference, show your game in our Direct, or sell your game in our Steam Sale. All speakers are compensated, no submission fees for games, and all accepted applications are also entered into consideration for our Game Dev Grants.

A collage of headshots of previous speakers from GDoCExpo: Nana Moon (She/Her), Katrina Barkwell (She/Her), Ace Patterson (He/Him), Tanat Boozayaangool (He/Him), Sharang Biswas (He/Him), Deborah Chantson (She/Her), Tristan J. Tarwater (They/Them), Monica Fan (She/They), Myleah Lofland (She/Her), Mac Kendema (He/Him), Victoria "Cataxis" Pérez (She/Her), Jenny Windom (She/Her).

GDoCExpo Conference

Online Conference (Apply to speak, get interviewed or do a panel)
September 22-25, 2026
Applications open: Feb 25
Applications close: Apr 18

Show requirements

Hide requirements

GDoCExpo highlights powerful talks and panels that are entertaining, thought-provoking, and empower our audience in games and beyond. You can see examples of past talks here. We accept submissions in the following session formats:

Microtalk: 15 minutes.
Talk: 30 minutes.
Panel: 45 minutes (up to 4 panelists, with one serving as moderator).
Dev Interview: 20 minutes. Our host interviews up to 4 members of your team about your project, and you’ll provide trailer and gameplay video.

Presenting in the conference requires a camera, mic, and stable internet. Sessions are pre-recorded in a single take and are broadcast during the conference and uploaded to YouTube throughout the year afterwards.

Refer to our FAQ for additional questions.

Apply for the conference

GDoCExpo Direct

Game Trailer Showcase
September 22, 2026
Applications open: Feb 25
Applications close: Jun 5

Show requirements

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The GDoCExpo Direct is a game trailer showcase that features the latest exclusive announcements and news from devs of color, premiering live on YouTube, Steam, and partner channels like IGN and Gamespot. You can see a past example here.

Showing your game in the Direct requires new and exclusive gameplay video. We prefer games releasing within one year of the Expo.

Refer to our FAQ for additional questions.

Apply for the Direct and/or Steam Sale

GDoCExpo Steam Sale

Steam Sale
September 22-28, 2026
Applications open: Feb 25
Applications close: Jun 5

Show requirements

Hide requirements

The GDoCExpo Steam Sale is our online games showcase and sale with devs of color running discounts, demos, and broadcasts. You can see last year’s example here. Our event is often featured on the front page of Steam, providing high visibility and sales for many participants! We highly encourage running a discount during the event to boost sales.

The GDoCExpo Steam Sale requires a Steam page for your game. If you don't have one yet, we may be able to have Valve waive your Steam Direct fee ($100). You can apply for the waiver separately through this form. You do not need to be accepted to the GDoCExpo Steam Sale to qualify for the waiver.

Refer to our FAQ for additional questions.

Apply for the Direct and/or Steam Sale

FAQ's

GDoCExpo Conference and Speaking

How much does it cost to apply?

Participating in the Game Devs of Color Expo is 100% free. There is no fee to apply.

Are speakers compensated?

All speakers are paid. Please refer to the application form for the current rates per format. Speakers are also given tickets and discount codes to share.

What’s the timeline?

Response letters are sent on a rolling basis starting in May. Due to the high volume of applicants, this process may take weeks.

All accepted speakers will need to submit a rough outline of their talk and slides for approval in May, then schedule time with our producers to record their talk between June and August. Each speaker will have the support of our production team and can choose to record with the team or self-record.

What makes a good submission?

Submissions should tell us what you plan to talk about and why you're the person to give the talk. Use specifics and be concise.

Talks should contain practical advice, personal knowledge, relevant tips, and have specifics that attendees can act on. Try to provide new tools, insights, or ideas that others can use in their projects and lives.

Any submissions that don't fit into our Code of Conduct or are otherwise too vague to understand will be rejected. We do not accept Generative AI, blockchain, or NFT talk submissions.

What type of content are you looking for? Is there a theme?

We’re looking for talks of all kinds about how you make games, why you make games, and how you experience the world. Each year, we choose themes for our Conference based on the submissions we receive, so feel free to submit what you’re passionate about and experienced in!

We love technical talks, deep dives, retrospectives, tips and tricks, social analysis, perspectives from inside AND outside games, as well as talks that deal with the world we live in beyond our games. We accept talks across all disciplines and experience levels and are looking for standout perspectives. You can see past examples of GDoCExpo talks here.

Is previous speaking experience required?

No! We welcome first-time speakers, and provide guidance through our Slide Review process to help you shine.

Can I present with someone else?

Yes! Please note the name of your co-presenter in your application. Each speaker must submit their own application for the submission to be accepted.

If selected, what’s the commitment?

Our process is pretty simple: we start with a Slide Review to go over your presentation and make sure that it’s polished and ready to go. From there, we’ll schedule time with our tech team to record your talk (or you can record it yourself if you coordinate it with us).

We expect it will take a few hours for you to plan out your talk and create your slides, plus the time to record.

Please note: we do not accept AI-generated content of any kind for the Conference.

Do you require exclusivity for my talk?

We ask that you refrain from giving the talk again until we premiere it on our YouTube channel (usually the first half of the following year). If you need a special exception, feel free to ask and we can try to work something out.

What is your policy on Generative AI?

We do not accept works created with generative AI as part of Game Devs of Color Expo. That includes our Steam Sale, GDoCExpo Direct Showcase, and Conference.

The GDoCExpo Direct & the GDoCExpo Steam Sale

How much does it cost to apply?

Participating in the Game Devs of Color Expo is 100% free. There is no fee to apply. There is no fee to showcase. Participants are also given conference tickets and discount codes to share.

What’s the timeline?

Responses from applications will go out within two weeks of applications closing; applications will be internally reviewed over the course of the submission period. Games selected for the GDoCExpo Direct will need to submit a trailer by late July. Details for games participating in the Steam Sale will go out closer to the sale date in September.

My game isn’t new. Should I still apply?

Steam Sale: Apply! We encourage you to submit regardless of when it was released! The odds of acceptance increase if you are placing your game on sale.

GDoCExpo Direct: Do you have a new, large-scale update or DLC coming? If you have a new, significant update that you can premiere as part of the Direct Showcase, we encourage you to apply. We prefer exclusive announcements and releases/reveals that debut with our Direct.

Will I receive feedback on my game?

We receive hundreds of submissions each year; in order to keep our workload manageable and free to applicants, we do not provide individual feedback.

What are some common rejection reasons?

Some common rejection reasons include:

Lack of polish or innovation compared to the standard of other applicants.
The game isn’t a good fit for our audience. This could be for reasons such as inappropriate content, or subject matter and themes that don’t align with the Expo.
The game isn’t considered timely for the GDoCExpo Direct. The game’s release date is either too far in the future, or too long ago without updates.
Application obfuscates or does not properly answer the question about team members' backgrounds. We cannot accept games where we do not have a clear understanding of who built it.
Game contains generative AI, NFT, Web3, blockchain, or other content that we don’t feature in our showcases.

Even if your game meets all our standards, we may still need to reject it due to space limitations. We appreciate your application regardless!

My game isn’t on Steam yet; can we get the Steam fee waived?

Yes! Valve charges a $100 fee to list a game on Steam, but may waive your fee if you’re part of the GDoCExpo community. Fill out an application for a Steam Waiver here.

What is your policy on Generative AI?

We do not accept works created with generative AI as part of Game Devs of Color Expo. That includes our Steam Sale, GDoCExpo Direct Showcase, and Conference.

Game Devs of Color Expo Grants

What are Game Devs of Color Grants?

Each year, Game Devs of Color awards multiple no-strings grants to help devs make their games. Grant amounts and criteria vary from year-to-year, with awards averaging around $7,000. Grants are awarded as part of our yearly Game Devs of Color Expo.

How do I apply for a grant?

All speakers and exhibitors for Game Devs of Color Expo are automatically considered for a Game Devs of Color Grant. No additional application is necessary.

How can I increase my chances of being selected for a grant?

Criteria for Game Devs of Color grants vary each year based on funding and funding sources. To increase your chances of selection overall, focus on these parts of your application:
‍

Direct/Steam Sale

Team member backgrounds
Short Statement
Trailer/Gameplay video
Demo

Speaker/Dev Interview

Outline (if applicable)
Short Statement
Trailer/Gameplay video
Demo

What other ways do you help fund devs?

We run multiple programs over the course of the year. For example, we’ve run a Game Developer Hardship Fund where we issued no-strings microgrants to help devs on a smaller scale. The best way to keep up on our opportunities is to subscribe to our mailing list.

How can I help fund a grant or initiative?

We’d love to talk with you! Game Devs of Color is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations are tax-deductible. Send an email to giving@gamedevsofcolor.org and we’ll be in touch.

Apply to the Game Devs of Color Expo

GDoCExpo Conference

GDoCExpo Direct

GDoCExpo Steam Sale

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