About Us

First Austin Game Developers Showcase event

Our Journey

The Austin Game Developers Showcase began in 2018 as a small gathering of passionate developers in a co-working space downtown. Founded by Maya Reynolds and Daniel Chen, two former game developers who saw the need for a community-focused event that celebrated indie creativity, our first showcase featured just 12 projects and attracted about 50 attendees.

What started as a grassroots initiative quickly gained momentum. By 2020, when many events were going virtual due to global circumstances, we adapted and created our first digital showcase. This unexpected pivot actually expanded our reach, connecting Austin developers with the global gaming community and establishing our international presence.

In 2022, we made the leap to the Austin Convention Center, hosting over 200 games and welcoming more than 5,000 attendees from around the world. We secured partnerships with major publishers and launched our investment forum, which has since helped indie developers secure over $12 million in funding for their projects.

Today, the Austin Game Developers Showcase stands as one of the most respected events in the industry, known for discovering breakthrough talent and showcasing innovative games that push the medium forward. We remain committed to our founding vision: creating a space where creativity, technology, and community converge to shape the future of gaming.

Our Mission & Values

Mission

At Austin Game Developers Showcase, our mission is to nurture a vibrant ecosystem where game creators can thrive. We connect talented developers with players, publishers, and investors, creating opportunities that might otherwise never exist. By celebrating innovation and fostering diverse perspectives, we contribute to the artistic and technological evolution of games as a medium.

Innovation

We believe games are at their best when they explore new ideas, technologies, and forms of expression. We actively seek out and promote projects that challenge conventions and push boundaries.

Accessibility

Games should be for everyone. We're committed to making our event welcoming and accessible to people of all backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels—both as creators and players.

Community

The connections made at our showcase are just as important as the games themselves. We foster a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared freely and relationships flourish.

Diversity

Different perspectives lead to better games. We actively work to create a showcase that represents the full spectrum of experiences, identities, and creative approaches in game development.

Meet Our Team

The passionate individuals behind Austin Game Developers Showcase bring decades of combined experience in game development, event management, and community building.

Maya Reynolds

Founder & Executive Director

With 15 years of experience as a game producer at studios like Obsidian Entertainment and BioWare, Maya brings extensive industry knowledge to the showcase. After leaving AAA development in 2017, she founded AGDS to support the indie community she'd always been passionate about. Maya oversees strategic direction and maintains relationships with key industry partners.

Daniel Chen

Co-Founder & Technical Director

A former lead engine programmer at Certain Affinity, Daniel brings technical expertise that has been crucial to the showcase's growth. He manages the technical aspects of our events, from game submission platforms to our virtual showcase infrastructure. Daniel is particularly passionate about supporting technical innovation in indie games.

Layla Washington

Community & Diversity Manager

Joining the team in 2020, Layla has transformed our community outreach efforts. With a background in both game design and social advocacy, she leads our initiatives to make the showcase more inclusive and accessible. Her scholarship program for underrepresented developers has helped launch numerous careers in the industry.

Marco Alvarez

Partnerships & Sponsorship Director

Marco came to AGDS in 2021 after a decade in marketing and business development at major publishers. He manages our relationships with sponsors and industry partners, ensuring the showcase remains financially sustainable while maintaining its indie spirit. His investor network has helped countless developers secure funding for their projects.

Our Achievements

Austin Game Developers Showcase achievement ceremony

500+

Indie Games Showcased

We've provided a platform for over 500 independent games since our inception, many of which went on to commercial and critical success.

$12M+

Funding Secured

Through our investment forum and networking opportunities, developers have secured over $12 million in funding for their projects.

30,000+

Annual Attendees

Our event now attracts over 30,000 visitors annually, including developers, publishers, investors, and passionate gamers.

Countries Represented

We've welcomed participants from 48 countries, making us a truly international showcase for game development talent.

200+

Workshops Hosted

Our educational program has delivered over 200 workshops on game development, business, and creative topics.

What People Say

"Showcasing my game at AGDS completely changed the trajectory of my career. The connections I made there led to a publishing deal, and the feedback I received helped me refine my game into something much more polished. Three years later, I'm now working on my third title and still benefit from the AGDS community."

Sophia Park

Indie Developer, Moonrise Games

"As a publisher, AGDS has become our most valuable scouting ground for new talent. The quality and diversity of games on display consistently impresses us, and the developers we've met there have a level of passion and innovation that's rare to find. We've signed six titles from the showcase in the last two years alone."

James Winters

Acquisition Director, Devolver Digital

"The AGDS team understands the unique challenges and opportunities in VR/AR development better than any other event organizers I've worked with. Their dedicated immersive technology pavilion gives these experiences the space they need to shine, and their audience comes ready to engage with experimental formats. It's become our annual must-attend event."