First Playable 2026: the eighth edition of the gaming business event concluded in Florence

The operational balance of the three days of activity highlights a progression in the metrics of professional participation and in the development of transnational commercial relationships. Official data indicates the presence of over 700 professionals, a group that included 55 publishers, agencies and international investors from 13 foreign markets, including delegations from the United States, Japan, China, South Korea, the United Kingdom and several European nations.

The Italian productive nucleus was represented by over 150 development teams and more than 120 independent professionals who, through the use of the dedicated digital platform Meet To Match, held over 1,250 individual business meetings, aimed at finding business partners and financing new intellectual properties.

The in-depth and professional refresher program articulated the analysis of market trends through an opening conference which saw the rotation of 26 national and international speakers, to which were added 9 technical workshops and a cycle of 9 round tables dedicated to direct comparison between developers and the major players in digital publishing. In conjunction with the business sessions, the Italian Video Game Awards ceremony took place, broadcast live on the Twitch and YouTube channels of media partner Multiplayer.it, which recorded an audience of more than 10,000 spectators during the presentation of the 6 statuettes intended to reward the products, professionals and companies that have distinguished themselves for technical and artistic merits over the last year.

From an institutional point of view, the various members of the control room expressed their assessments on the growth trajectories of the sector. Thalita Malagò, General Director of IIDEA, analyzed the positioning of the event: “The eighth edition of First Playable confirmed and strengthened the event’s role as a point of reference for the video game industry in Italy and as an increasingly attractive platform for international operators. The record numbers recorded this year testify to the constant growth of the initiative, but above all it is the quality of the meetings, the high level of the contents and the value of the networking opportunities generated that represent the true success of the event. The support of institutions and our partners continues to be fundamental to enhance Italian talent and entrepreneurship in the video game sector and to foster dialogue with the main players in the global industry. Special thanks go to Fondazione Sistema Toscana, Fondazione CR Firenze and Regione Toscana, which once again contributed significantly to the success of the event this year, offering the ideal setting to host the event; and also to ICE Agency for the precious support in encouraging the participation in Italy of professionals, companies and investors from all over the world. The appointment is in Florence in 2027 for the next edition of First Playable”.

The territorial stability of the event represents a strategic element for local economic planning, as highlighted by Stefania Ippoliti, Director of Toscana Film Commission: “The most striking measure of First Playable’s success is given by the multiplication of proposals that competition from other territories puts on IIDEA’s table: manifestations of an increasingly convinced interest that this industrial sector – finally an example of a Creative Industry that speaks for itself – represents a vital reality in which young professionals and companies are the protagonists, with a very high vocation for internationalization. Tuscany fought successfully to ensure that this event remained in Florence. In fact, it was possible to count not only on the perseverance of the Tuscany Region, which decided to use the leverage of European funds since last year, but also on the lucidity of reading the innovative energy of this CR Firenze Foundation event. The Foundation has in fact decided to guarantee its significant support so that First Playable can continue to take place in our city with a prospect of breathing space. This edition also left us with a truly contagious charge of energy and enthusiasm. Thanks therefore to IIDEA, to the video game creators and to the precious Partners who allow us to share this success”.

The geographical diversification of investors constitutes the main novel factor for the internationalization of Italian companies, an aspect explored in depth by Matteo Masini, Director of the Consumer Goods Office of the ICE Agency: “Also in this 2026 edition, we collaborated with First Playable to accompany and support the internationalization of Italian video game companies, a sector in which many young people operate and whose strong growth potential we recognize. Thanks to the network of our offices abroad we brought a delegation of 55 very high profile international operators to the event. For the first time, in addition to Europe and North America, we brought delegates to Florence from Asian countries, in particular Japan, China and South Korea. This growing international presence confirms the strong interest of international operators in collaborating with ItalyThe consolidation of the event was also reflected in the support of large digital entertainment groups and professional firms, including Epic Games as Diamond Partner, Slitherine as Platinum Partner, Caracal Games and LCA Studio Legale in the role of Gold Partner, supported by Silver Partners Xsolla and Bologna Game Farm.