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Summer Game Fest#2023

{{Short description|Live video game event}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}

{{Infobox recurring event

| name = Summer Game Fest

| logo = Summer Game Fest logo.svg

| status = Active

| genre = {{ubl|Video games|Interactive entertainment}}

| venue = YouTube Theater

| country = United States

| first = {{Start date and age|2020|05|01}}

| last = {{Start date and age|2025|06|06}}

| next =

| organizer = Geoff Keighley

| website = {{URL|https://www.summergamefest.com/}}

}}

Summer Game Fest is a live video game event organized and hosted by game journalist Geoff Keighley.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2020-05-01 |title=Summer Game Fest 2020 Steps in to Fill E3 Void for Video-Game Biz |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/summer-game-fest-2020-schedule-1234595351/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930221040/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/summer-game-fest-2020-schedule-1234595351/ |archive-date=2020-09-30 |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} The event takes place annually over multiple live streams during the North American summer period, the most notable of which is the "main show" which usually airs on the first day of the event and showcases upcoming major releases. The "main show" is usually then followed by a "Day of the Devs" after-show that is focused on indie titles. Multiple other streams showcasing other upcoming game titles that are both affiliated and unaffiliated with the official Summer Game Fest event also occur in the few days following the main show.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi9Mlnjwioo8I_yeZmi1L7WBfDq2gsBHw |title=Summer Game Fest 2021 |access-date=2022-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506102717/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi9Mlnjwioo8I_yeZmi1L7WBfDq2gsBHw |archive-date=2022-05-06 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} It was created in 2020 following the cancellation of the industry's most prominent events such as Gamescom and the now-discontinued E3, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

List of events

class="wikitable"

! Event name

! Start date

! End date

Summer Game Fest

| May 1, 2020

| August 24, 2020

Summer Game Fest 2021

| June 10, 2021

| July 22, 2021

Summer Game Fest 2022

| June 9, 2022

| June 12, 2022

Summer Game Fest 2023

| June 8, 2023

| June 11, 2023

Summer Game Fest 2024

| June 7, 2024

| June 10, 2024

Summer Game Fest 2025{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/summer-game-fest-dates-confirmed | title = Summer Game Fest dates confirmed | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = January 30, 2025 | accessdate = February 2, 2025 | work = Eurogamer }}

| June 6, 2025

| June 9, 2025

History

=2020=

File:Geoff Keighley - New York Game Awards 2019 (cropped).jpg|alt=A man with brown hair smiling while facing to the left of the camera.]]

Games journalist Geoff Keighley had been working with the ESA since before 2000 to support the E3 convention typically held in June of each year, including running the E3 Coliseum, a side event to give developers and their games more exposure than the standard press conferences. Ahead of the planned E3 2020 show, the ESA had announced a number of changes to its approach, aiming the content of the show towards what it described as a "fan, media and influencer festival".{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/esa-plans-to-shake-things-up-for-e3-2020/ | title = ESA plans 'to shake things up' for E3 2020 | first = Tom | last = Ivan | date = January 30, 2020 | access-date = January 30, 2020 | work = Video Games Chronicle | archive-date = January 30, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200130181643/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/esa-plans-to-shake-things-up-for-e3-2020/ | url-status = live }} This change of approach was criticized by some in the industry,{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} and Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that it would not be participating in the event, after missing E3 2019, as the vision offered by the ESA did not match its expectations;{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-11-playstation-will-not-participate-in-e3-2020 | title = PlayStation will not participate in E3 2020 | first = Christopher | last = Dring | date = January 13, 2020 | access-date = January 13, 2020 | work = GamesIndustry.biz | archive-date = January 13, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200113231716/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-11-playstation-will-not-participate-in-e3-2020 | url-status = live }} Keighley also opted out of the show, noting he did not "feel comfortable participating" due to the changes.{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/geoff-keighley-skip-e3-2020-1278967 | title = Geoff Keighley to Skip E3 2020 | first = Patrick | last = Shanley | date = February 12, 2020 | access-date = February 12, 2020 | work = The Hollywood Reporter | archive-date = August 4, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200804032101/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/geoff-keighley-skip-e3-2020-1278967 | url-status = live }}

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ESA canceled the physical event for E3 in 2020. Keighley began working with numerous developers and publishers to run a four-month Summer Game Fest from May 1 to August 24, 2020,{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/5/1/21244088/summer-game-fest-digital-event-geoff-keighley-e3-2020-gamescom |title=Summer Game Fest announced as a season-long E3 replacement |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |work=Polygon |date=May 1, 2020 |accessdate=August 26, 2022 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826015953/https://www.polygon.com/2020/5/1/21244088/summer-game-fest-digital-event-geoff-keighley-e3-2020-gamescom |url-status=live }} helping developers and publisher to host live streams and other events in lieu of the cancellation of E3 and Gamescom. Alongside Summer Game Fest, Keighley promoted the third Steam Game Festival, following after The Game Awards 2019 and from the previously canceled 2020 Game Developers Conference, which ran from June 16–22, 2020. Over 900 games had demos available on Steam for players to try, alongside a slate of interviews with developers throughout the period.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/the-steam-game-festival-is-coming-back-on-the-day-e3-wouldve-started/ | title = The Steam Game Festival is coming back on the day E3 would've started | first = Andy | last = Chalk | date = April 13, 2020 | access-date = April 13, 2020 | work = PC Gamer | archive-date = April 13, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200413224822/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-steam-game-festival-is-coming-back-on-the-day-e3-wouldve-started/ | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-16-steams-summer-game-festival-is-now-on-features-over-900-playable-demos | title = Steam's summer Game Festival is now on, features over 900 playable demos | first = Matt | last = Wales | date = June 16, 2020 | access-date = June 16, 2020 | work = Eurogamer | archive-date = June 17, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200617034749/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-16-steams-summer-game-festival-is-now-on-features-over-900-playable-demos | url-status = live }} A similar event for Xbox One games occurred from July 21–27, 2020, as part of the Summer Game Fest.{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/1/21310191/xbox-one-summer-game-fest-free-demos-event-destroy-all-humans | title = Xbox Summer Game Fest will let players try over 60 upcoming games | first = Austen | last = Goslin | date = July 1, 2020 | access-date = July 1, 2020 | work = Polygon | archive-date = July 1, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200701184827/https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/1/21310191/xbox-one-summer-game-fest-free-demos-event-destroy-all-humans | url-status = live }}

Among games and other announcements made during the Summer Game Fest 2020 included:

  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, a remastered version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and its sequel for modern systems.{{cite web |last=Conduit |first=Jessica |date=May 12, 2020 |title='Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2' HD remaster lands in September |url=https://www.engadget.com/tony-hawks-pro-skater-1-2-hd-remaster-release-date-interview-160022416.html |access-date=May 12, 2020 |work=Engadget |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512194114/https://www.engadget.com/tony-hawks-pro-skater-1-2-hd-remaster-release-date-interview-160022416.html |url-status=live }}
  • Unreal Engine 5, the next iteration of Epic Games' game engine to be released in mid-2021.{{cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=May 13, 2020 |title=Epic Games announces Unreal Engine 5 with first PS5 footage |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-05-13-epic-games-announces-unreal-engine-5-with-first-ps5-footage |access-date=May 13, 2020 |work=GamesIndustry.biz |archive-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520112019/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-05-13-epic-games-announces-unreal-engine-5-with-first-ps5-footage |url-status=live }}
  • Star Wars: Squadrons, a new game from Motive Studios and Electronic Arts featuring team-play combat using the spacecraft of the Star Wars universe like X-wing fighters and TIE fighters.{{cite web |last=Gartenberg |first=Chaim |date=June 15, 2020 |title=EA announces Star Wars: Squadrons, a new first-person starfighter dogfighting game |url=https://www.theverge.com/21289266/star-wars-squadrons-game-trailer-multiplayer-team-x-wing |access-date=June 15, 2020 |work=The Verge |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808100258/https://www.theverge.com/21289266/star-wars-squadrons-game-trailer-multiplayer-team-x-wing |url-status=live }}
  • Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, a sequel to the original trilogy of Crash Bandicoot games on the original PlayStation console, being developed by Toys for Bob and Activision.{{cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=June 22, 2020 |title=Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time officially announced with debut trailer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-22-crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-officially-announced-with-debut-trailer |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=Eurogamer |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623071021/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-22-crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-officially-announced-with-debut-trailer |url-status=live }}
  • Cuphead releasing for the PlayStation 4.{{cite web |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=July 28, 2020 |title=Cuphead launches on PS4 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/28/cuphead-launches-on-ps4/ |access-date=July 28, 2020 |work=Venture Beat |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728152429/https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/28/cuphead-launches-on-ps4/ |url-status=live }}

=2021=

The second Summer Game Fest took place from June 10 to July 22, 2021 coinciding with E3 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/124491/summer-game-fest-2021-date-and-time |title=Summer Game Fest 2021 date and time |last=Erskine |first=Donovan |work=Shacknews |date=June 7, 2021 |accessdate=August 26, 2022 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826015953/https://www.shacknews.com/article/124491/summer-game-fest-2021-date-and-time |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kain |first=Erik |date=June 10, 2021 |title=How And When To Watch The Summer Game Fest 'Kickoff' Livestream Today |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2021/06/10/when-and-where-to-watch-the-summer-game-fest-2021-and-what-to-expect-including-elden-ring/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Forbes |language=en}} From June 15–21, 2021, ID@Xbox offered a number of demos of upcoming games for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S consoles as part of the Summer Game Fest.{{cite news | url= https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/383441/Try_Sable_Lake_and_more_during_the_IDXbox_Summer_Game_Fest_Demo_event.php | title= Try Sable, Lake, and more during the ID@Xbox Summer Game Fest Demo event | first= Chris | last= Kerr | date= June 15, 2021 | access-date= June 15, 2021 | work= Gamasutra | archive-date= June 15, 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210615134048/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/383441/Try_Sable_Lake_and_more_during_the_IDXbox_Summer_Game_Fest_Demo_event.php | url-status= dead }}

The Summer Game Fest opened with an announcement stream of games hosted by Keighley on June 10, 2021. Among titles presented include:{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/everything-we-saw-at-the-summer-game-fest-kickoff-1847074994 | title = Everything We Saw At The Summer Game Fest Kickoff | first = Riley | last = MacLeod | date = June 10, 2021 | accessdate = June 11, 2021 | work = Kotaku | archive-date = June 10, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210610221131/https://kotaku.com/everything-we-saw-at-the-summer-game-fest-kickoff-1847074994 | url-status = live }}

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{{anchor|Tribeca Games Spotlight}}The Summer Game Fest included the first Tribeca Games Spotlight on June 11, 2021, featuring games that had been nominated for the inaugural Tribeca Film Festival video game award.{{cite news | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/tribeca-festival-unveils-official-games-lineup-including-annapurna-twelve-minutes-1234948692/ | title = Tribeca Festival Unveils Games Lineup Including Annapurna Interactive's 'Twelve Minutes' | first = Tribly | last = Beresford | date = May 6, 2021 | accessdate = May 6, 2021 | work = The Hollywood Reporter | archive-date = May 6, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210506152719/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/tribeca-festival-unveils-official-games-lineup-including-annapurna-twelve-minutes-1234948692/ | url-status = live }} These games included:{{cite web | url = https://uproxx.com/edge/tribeca-games-spotlight-roundup-kena-twelve-minutes/ | title = 'Kena' And 'Twelve Minutes' Highlight The Tribeca Games Spotlight's Artsiest Game Selections | first = Jess | last = Howard | date = June 11, 2021 | accessdate = June 11, 2021 | work = Uproxx | archive-date = June 12, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210612011059/https://uproxx.com/edge/tribeca-games-spotlight-roundup-kena-twelve-minutes/ | url-status = live }}

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Koch Media presented a showcase on June 11, 2021, as part of the Summer Game Fest.{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/saints-row-dead-island-timesplitters-metro-e3-2021-koch-media-showcase | title = Saints Row, Dead Island, and TimeSplitters Parent Company Koch Media Announces Pre-E3 Showcase | first = Adam | last = Bankhurst | date = May 30, 2021 | accessdate = May 30, 2021 | work = IGN | archive-date = May 30, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210530152950/https://www.ign.com/articles/saints-row-dead-island-timesplitters-metro-e3-2021-koch-media-showcase | url-status = live }} Alongside introducing their new publishing label, Prime Matter, Koch Media's presenting covered the following games:{{cite web | url = https://in.ign.com/payday-2/160136/feature/e3-2021-koch-primetime-payday-3-prime-matter-painkiller-2-gungrave-gore | title = E3 2021 Koch Primetime: Prime Matter, Payday 3, Painkiller 2, and All Games Revealed | first = Shunal | last = Doke | date = June 11, 2021 | accessdate = June 11, 2021 | work = IGN | archive-date = June 10, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210610193418/https://in.ign.com/payday-2/160136/feature/e3-2021-koch-primetime-payday-3-prime-matter-painkiller-2-gungrave-gore | url-status = live }}

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Sony participated in the event by holding a State of Play on July 8, 2021. Announcements made during the event include:{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Kat |date=2021-07-08 |title=Sony State of Play: Everything Announced At the July 2021 PlayStation News Event |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-playstation-state-of-play-july-2021-how-to-watch-start-time-games |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=IGN |language=en}}

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=2022=

The third Summer Game Fest ran throughout June 2022, with its core programming from June 9–12. Participating publishers with individual showcases included Capcom, Devolver Digital, Epic Games, Netflix, Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox.{{cite web |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/summer-game-fest-2022 |title=Summer Game Fest 2022: all the biggest announcements and reveals |last1=Hood |first1=Vic |last2=Arif |first2=Shabana |work=TechRadar |date=August 9, 2022 |accessdate=August 26, 2022 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826015953/https://www.techradar.com/news/summer-game-fest-2022 |url-status=live }}

The following titles were showcased:{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2022-06-09 |title=Summer Game Fest Showcase 2022: Everything Announced Including The Last of Us Remake for PS5 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/summer-game-fest-showcase-2022-everything-announced |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=2022-06-09 |title=All the games, trailers, and announcements from the 2022 Summer Game Fest |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/06/all-the-games-trailers-and-announcements-from-the-2022-summer-game-fest/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Ars Technica |language=en}}

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=2023=

{{expand section|date=June 2024}}

The fourth Summer Game Fest was a combined digital and physical event for the first time, held from June 8 to 11 2023, at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles; a physical component was available to the press in 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/23162335/e3-summer-game-fest-2023-clash-analysis |title=The organizers of E3 and Summer Game Fest are gearing up for a head-on clash |last=Welsh |first=Oli |work=Polygon |date=June 10, 2022 |accessdate=August 26, 2022 |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003210706/https://www.polygon.com/23162335/e3-summer-game-fest-2023-clash-analysis |url-status=live }}

The following companies were featured:{{Cite tweet|number=1656705736125169690|user=summergamefest|title=#SummerGameFest szn is almost here. The video game industry comes together to show you what's next. Look for updates from 40+ partners.|author=Summer Game Fest|date=2023-05-11|access-date=2023-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512093556/https://twitter.com/summergamefest/status/1656705736125169690|archive-date=2023-05-12|url-status=live}}

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Nintendo and Konami did not participate. Nintendo instead hosted a Nintendo Direct on June 21, while Konami announced their games at the Tokyo Game Show in September.

=2024=

The fifth Summer Game Fest was held at the YouTube Theater from June 7 to 10, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2023-06-13 |title=Summer Game Fest, Play Days Set to Return in June of 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/summer-game-fest-play-days-set-to-return-in-june-of-2024 |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2024-03-13 |title=Summer Game Fest debuts on June 7 in LA |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/summer-game-fest/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}

The following titles were showcased:{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Lottie |date=2024-06-08 |title=Everything announced during Summer Game Fest 2024 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/everything-announced-during-summer-game-fest-2024 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-06-07 |title=Everything announced at Summer Game Fest 2024 |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/summer-game-fest-2024-everything-announced/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Digital Trends |language=en}}

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The following titles had new updates, downloadable content, or ports showcased:

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In addition, Innersloth, creator of Among Us, announced Outersloth, a game fund to support other indie game developers. Innersloth also showcased the upcoming animated television series based on Among Us.{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=2024-06-07 |title=Here's our first look at the Among Us animated series |url=https://www.theverge.com/24172053/among-us-animated-series-trailer-summer-game-fest |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=The Verge |language=en}} Again, Nintendo and Konami did not participate. Nintendo instead hosted a Nintendo Direct on June 18,{{Cite tweet |number=1787736518762881197 |user=NintendoCoLtd |title=(...) We will be holding a Nintendo Direct this June regarding the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024, but please be aware that there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during that presentation. |date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 20, 2024}} while Konami announced their games at the Tokyo Game Show in September.

Following his experience at the 2024 Summer Game Fest, Diego Nicolás Argüello of Paste thought the event was in a "transitional period" and shifting towards something "more in line with what E3 used to be".{{Cite news |last=Argüello |first=Diego Nicolás |date=June 21, 2024 |title=Summer Game Fest Is the New E3, For Better or Worse |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/summer-game-fest/summer-game-fest-is-the-new-e3-for-better-or-worse |access-date=June 21, 2024 |work=Paste}} He commented that "as of now, the Summer Game Fest conglomerate stands as a hybrid of sorts—a fading summer vacation with the preview commitment traditions of old. Perhaps it was naive to expect the 'chill' vibe to remain as one of the event's pillars, as it's already becoming larger than its intended place and runtime. It's clear that this ambition is deliberate. But I'm glad I caught it during this period".

=2025=

{{update section|reason=Not every publisher listed here was present to the recent presentation|date=June 2025}}

The sixth Summer Game Fest was held at the YouTube Theater on June 6, 2025, with a physical "Play Days" event set to be taking place from June 7 to 9, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Wutz |first=Marco |date=June 13, 2024 |title=Summer Game Fest confirmed to return in 2025 with live showcase |url=https://www.si.com/videogames/news/summer-game-fest-2025-confirmed |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=Video Games On SI |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sal |first=Romano |date=January 30, 2025 |title=Summer Game Fest 2025 showcase set for June 6 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/01/summer-game-fest-2025-showcase-set-for-june-6 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Shearon |first=Andrea |date=May 16, 2025 |title=Here's the Summer Game Fest 2025 schedule, including where to watch each showcase |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/events-conferences/summer-game-fest-2025/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}

The following partners are confirmed to be attending, with at least 4 more unnanounced ones:{{efn|The announcement mentions that there will be 60+ partners, but only 57 are shown.}}{{cite tweet| user = geoffkeighley| number = 1927754199594307658| title = We're proud to welcome a record-setting 60+ partners for #SummerGameFest 2025, a global celebration of video games in Los Angeles this June.| date = 2025-05-28| url = https://x.com/geoffkeighley/status/1927754199594307658| access-date = 2025-05-28}}

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The following titles were showcased during the main show:{{Cite web |last=Fenlon |first=Wes |date=2025-06-06 |title=Everything announced at Summer Game Fest 2025 |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/live/news/summer-game-fest-2025-announcements/ |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=PC Gamer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=2025-06-07 |title=Summer Game Fest June 2025: Everything announced |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/summer-game-fest-june-2025-everything-announced |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}

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Justin Carter of Gizmodo commented that "five years in, Summer Game Fest still feels like it has no real identity of its own beyond an extension of the annual year's end Game Awards" and despite wanting to be E3, it "can't be that, both because publishers have their individual, more regular showcases, and it doesn't want to be perceived as disrespectful to the medium and its audience happy to receive recognition but not the criticism that comes with it".{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=2025-06-07 |title=Summer Game Fest Doesn't Just Try Its Best, It Tries Too Hard |url=https://gizmodo.com/summer-game-fest-doesnt-just-try-its-best-it-tries-too-hard-2000612890 |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-US}}

Event types

= Main show =

The most notable and watched part of Summer Game Fest is the "Main show" which is usually held on the first day of the event and is used to showcase and show trailers for major upcoming releases. Most of the content shown on the show is paid promotional content from major publishers. though a few "free slots" are also reserved for smaller and indie games and studios to be showcased at the show.

= Day of the Devs =

Double Fine Productions and iam8bit jointly had held a "Day of the Devs" event as part of E3 and later the Summer Game Fest to feature indie games. The stream was first incorporated at Summer Game Fest in its inaugural event in 2020. after the event which originally was a free in-person festival held in San Francisco was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 and has remained a part of the event since. With Double Fine's acquisition by Microsoft in 2019, a Day of the Devs non-profit organization was founded in 2024 to allow the event to continue with Double Fine's involvement but independent of Microsoft.https://www.pocketgamer.biz/day-of-the-devs-becomes-official-non-profit-organisation/ The games selected to showcased on the stream are selected following an application process that closes a couple months before the event. Developers and publishers do not have to pay any costs or fees to be featured on the stream.{{Cite web |last=Greer |first=Caleb |date=2021-04-03 |title=Day Of The Devs Showcase Is Returning For Summer Game Fest |url=https://screenrant.com/day-devs-showcase-returning-summer-game-fest/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

= Publisher-specific shows =

Like E3, a number of publisher-specific shows take place during Summer Game Fest.

Trailers

Publishers and Developers pay for trailers to appear during the main show. With marketing professionals stating that for the main show for 2024 that it costs $250,000 to air a one minute trailer with $100,000 being added to the price for each additional 30 seconds. Though a few "free slots" are also reserved at each main show for smaller and indie games and studios.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-06 |title=A 1-Minute Trailer At Summer Game Fest Costs $250K [Update] |url=https://kotaku.com/summer-game-fest-sgf-prices-trailer-cost-e3-keighley-1851523472 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} Esquire estimated that those rates the 2023 Game Awards made $9.65 million in fees to air trailers for the main show in 2023. This has generated some criticism as it makes airing a trailer during the show mostly out of reach for smaller and independent studios who do not get a free slot.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-06 |title=Is Summer Game Fest the Best Thing to Happen to Gaming—or the Worst? |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a61006534/summer-game-fest-explained/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Esquire |language=en-US}}

See also

Notes

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References

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{{The Game Awards}}

{{Video game trade shows}}

Category:2020s in video gaming

Category:Video game trade shows

Category:Video game festivals

Category:Festivals established in 2020

Category:The Game Awards