EDITORIAL
March was a very important month for our industry, with two major events: GDC, where the Brazil Games project, a partnership between Abragames and ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), participated with almost 50 companies, and the luncheon of the Presidents of Brazil and France, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Emmanuel Macron, which Abragames participated in. And, among others, there was also the Women and International Business event by ApexBrasil and the C20. But the highlight was the approval of the Legal Framework for Games by the Federal Senate. Now the focus is on gamescom latam, whose preparations are already at a fast pace, and on the second stage of the validation of the Legal Framework, which needs to be approved by the Chamber. And April has barely begun!
GOVERNMENT
Legal Framework for Games is approved in the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Abragames celebrates victory and awaits presidential approval.
The approval of the Legal Framework for Games in the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies was a historic achievement for our industry. Abragames celebrates this victory and thanks everyone who supported the fight: representatives from various sectors of the industry, regional associations, various entities and parliamentarians, especially Senator Leila Barros, @leiladovolei, Senators Rodrigo Pacheco, @rodrigopacheco, Flávio Arns, @flavioarns, Eduardo Girão, @eduardogiraooficial and Congressman Kim Kataguiri, @kimkataguiri.
Abragames’ commitment, with the support of the industry and its partners, was essential to this victory, which will represent important changes for the development of the gaming industry in Brazil. The current text of the Legal Framework for Games, which is now awaiting presidential approval, is the result of the efforts of the Association, sectors of the Academy and entities representing the video game and child and adolescent protection sectors to inform the decisions of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. The initiative is essential to diagnose the current situation of the segment, understand its main needs and obtain the real dimension of the Brazilian industry.
“This is a huge victory for the Brazilian gaming industry. Over the past two years, together with regional associations and hundreds of studios, we have been engaged in a long debate to improve the text of the law that aims to regulate an industry that is so important for the future of Brazil. Today we can say that the effort was worth it and that we are closer to achieving this great goal,” highlights Rodrigo Terra, president of Abragames.
The Legal Framework for Games in its current form is the result of more than 15 years of demands from the gamedev sector, organizations, institutes and entities, regional Gamedev entities, the national Abragames and the entire network that spoke out and fought in some way for the sector to be heard. The document also received contributions from the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic and Industrial Development. “The text was created and won for the sector. There were many hands involved, and Abragames was also there to defend the interests of this sector that is a champion of innovation in the Creative Economy”, added Rodrigo Terra.
See the final version of the text approved by the Senate and the Chamber: FINAL TEXT
Abragames is present at the lunch offered by Lula for Macron
Rodrigo Terra, president of Abragames, presents the presidents of Brazil and France with a 100% Brazilian game.
Rodrigo Terra, president of Abragames, was one of the guests at the lunch that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hosted for the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. Along with Cecilia Rodrigues, from the consulting firm E-Relgov, Terra took advantage of his presence at the lunch held at the Itamaraty headquarters to personally deliver to President Lula and President Macron a symbolic gift from our country’s games: a 100% Brazilian digital game, Horizon Chase Turbo – Senna, from the company Aquiris, from Rio Grande do Sul. The Brazilian digital games industry is powerful and is reaching this space.
Brazil-France lunch at Itamaraty brings together executives, businesspeople and politicians
See who else was there:
GAMESCOM LATAM 2024
Pitch@gamescom latam Powered by Abragames/Brazil Games
Five games will be selected to be presented at gamescom latam.
Abragames is promoting a Pitch so that you can take your game to the stages of gamescom latam. Pitch@gamescom latam Powered by Abragames/Brazil Games will take place during gamescom latam, which will be held between June 26th and 30th in São Paulo. Five games will have the opportunity to shine on stage and compete for prizes. In addition, two mentoring sessions will be held with the expert on the subject, Jason Della Rocca, who will also be responsible for coordinating the presentation of the games.
One mentoring session will be held online on April 30th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, and another will be held in person during gamescom latam (June 26th or 27th). The online event is open to all interested parties and the in-person event is open to those who are interested and are at gamescom latam. Devs who like challenges should stay tuned.
First place will receive a trophy and a business credential for gamescom latam 2025 + space at Panorama Brasil or at the indie stand, at the time of the launch of the presented game.
Presentations and all submitted material must be in English and the Pitch will be in person during the event. Please note that Pitch@gamescom latam Powered by Abragames/Brazil Games is only valid for teams from Latin America.
See the full agenda:
- March 30th – Registration opens
- April 30th – Online Webinar with Jason Della Rocca, 5:30pm – 6:30pm – Open to the general public
- May 5th – Registration closes
- May 10th – The list of selected candidates for the Pitch is released
- May 15 – gamescom.latam announces selected studios
- In-person mentoring – June 26th or 27th – TBC – 4:00 pm (60 minutes)
- Pitch – June 28 at 4:00pm
Ticket sales for gamescom latam 2024 have been released
The first batch unlocked gives you the right to enjoy all areas of the event, except the gamescom latam business area.
With the first batch of tickets now available to the general public, you have the chance to secure your passport to explore all areas of the event, except the gamescom latam business area. During the event, you will have access to more than 250 games to try out and enjoy, as well as attend lectures by renowned industry professionals, meet your favorite content creators and participate in exciting e-Sports championships.
This is your chance to dive headfirst into the world of gaming, meet other enthusiasts and share unique moments with the gaming community. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of this milestone in the history of gaming in Latin America! First-round tickets are available now, visit the website and be sure to secure your spot.
GDC 2024
GDC 2024: Innovation and Creativity Hits San Francisco
Brazil Shines on a Global Stage of Innovation and Networking.
The Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024, held from March 18 to 22 in San Francisco, USA, was a true success, bringing together professionals, enthusiasts and leaders of the gaming industry from all over the world. This year, Brazil made a notable presence, standing out in several events and initiatives that reflect the growing relevance of the country’s gaming scene on the international stage.
Even before GDC, Rodrigo Terra, president of Abragames, was on a panel at SPXP – São Paulo Experience, Casa São Paulo, at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2024, held in Austin, Texas, USA. Casa São Paulo at SXSW 2024 is a space that showcases Brazilian culture, innovation and creativity, providing a unique showcase for Brazilian talent.
At GDC, several events marked the agenda. The delegation, with almost 50 companies and more than 100 people, occupied the event spaces and held many business meetings at the Brazil Games stand.
In addition, Abragames representatives Rodrigo Terra, Eliana Russi and Patrícia Sato actively participated in the lectures and discussions about the future of the gaming industry in Brazil and worldwide. Rodrigo Terra and Gustavo Steinberg, CEO of gamescom latam/BIG Festival, spoke about the industry in Brazil and the event, which will take place in June in São Paulo.
Parallel to GDC, the Global Play Showcase took place, where new games from different countries were presented. Representing Brazil was the game “Mark of The Deep”, developed by Mad Mimic. The game was a huge success and attracted many players.
Events such as the breakfast at the Brazil Games stand provided moments of relaxation and integration. With cheese bread, caipirinha and many Brazilian delicacies, InvestSP welcomed several guests to São Paulo Day, a time for socializing and networking. The events were an opportunity for participants to recharge their batteries and exchange ideas in business meetings.
After São Paulo Day, part of the Brazilian delegation gathered to take a photo in front of the stand.
Tip: If you want to know more about the highlights of Brazil’s participation at GDC 2024, stay tuned to our social media for updates.
C20
Abragames was present at this year’s C20
The Vice President of Abragames participated in the event in Recife.
As one of the accredited organizations, Abragames participated in the Education and Culture and Digitalization and Technology working groups. The objective was to contribute to the production of documents that represent the demands of civil society, which will be forwarded to governments and the G20 organization.
In Recife, Raquel Gontijo and Carolina Caravana were present at the inauguration of the C20, and actively participated in the panels and debates.
ApexBrasil celebrates its commitment to gender equality
Carolina Caravana, VP of Abragames, participated in the Women and International Business event.
Carolina Caravana, VP of Abragames, participated in ApexBrasil’s Women and International Business event on March 18. The event celebrated the results of ApexBrasil’s gender equity commitment.
Gender equality is one of ApexBrasil’s priority agendas. This year, the Ministry of Women is coordinating the first Working Group dedicated to the issue, to discuss measures to combat violence against women and promote female empowerment. The “Women and International Business” program was launched by ApexBrasil in 2023 with the aim of attracting more women-led companies to foreign trade.
NATIONAL MEETING OF INDUSTRY AND SERVICES
ApexBrasil promoted the National Industry and Services Meeting at Fiesp, in São Paulo
The ceremony took place on March 5th and was attended by the President of Abragames.
The first edition of the National Industry and Services Meeting, an initiative of ApexBrasil, raised the debates on the future of the industry. The program included panels that discussed the new strategic agenda for different sectors, innovation and perspectives for international business. The Vice-President of the Republic Geraldo Alckmin and the President of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana, participated in the event, in addition to other authorities and more than 30 sector entities supported by the Agency.
The event took place at the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), in São Paulo, and Rodrigo Terra, president of Abragames, participated in the panel Perspectives of the Industry and Services Sector Complexes.
ApexBrasil President Jorge Viana spoke about the event: “When we articulate strategies that involve the business sector and the government, we are able to export more efficiently. And that is what a meeting like this can provide, especially now that the country is recovering and strengthening its industry.”
FANTASTIC PAVILION AND MACHINES
Unique opportunity for gamers and filmmakers
From May 17 to 20, 2024, the Marché du Film / Cannes Film Festival will have a networking space to promote projects.
The collaboration between Fantastic Pavilion and Maquinitas aims to promote the video game industry on a global scale and strengthen collaboration between the film and gaming industries.
The “LET’S SPOOK CANNES” event is a call for submissions for horror and fantasy games that promises to connect game developers with professionals from the film and gaming industries. This event will provide an exclusive networking space during the Marché du Film / Festival de Cannes, from May 17 to 20, 2024.
Participants will have the opportunity to present their projects and promotional materials, as well as interact with potential partners and investors. In addition, there will be the possibility of exploring collaborations with film, television and series studios interested in adapting games for the big screen, through one-on-one meetings.
Projects published in 2022, 2023 and 2024, or those in production with a release date set for 2024, are eligible to participate. A total of two projects will be selected to receive accreditation for the Marché du Film de Cannes and present their games in the Fantastic Pavilion showroom. Applications are open online until April 11. The two selected projects will be announced on April 18 via the event’s social media channels. The projects will be curated and selected by a team of experts from the video game and audiovisual industries.
Application Requirements and Eligibility:
- Projects must submit a game demo in their Let’s Spook submission.
- Projects must accompany their presentation with a Video Pitch or Trailer with a maximum duration of 5 minutes.
- Only projects published in the years 2022, 2023 or 2024, or those in the production phase with launch scheduled for 2024, will be accepted.
- Participation fee: 35 euros.
For more information and registration, please contact us by email: lasmaquinitas@ventana-sur.com.
About Abragames
Created in 2004 by a group of development companies, Abragames, the Brazilian Association of Game Developers, emerged as a non-profit organization with the goal of strengthening the national game development industry. Abragames’ mission is to coordinate, strengthen and promote the Brazilian digital games industry through representation and dialogue within the national and international ecosystem, building an understanding of all elements of our value chain, as well as promoting events and partnerships that bring the development of the games industry in Brazil to the state of the art.
About Brazil Games
The Brazil Games Export Sector Project is a non-profit program created by Abragames (Brazilian Association of Game Developers) in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), with the objective of strengthening the Brazilian digital games industry, training and creating new business opportunities for Brazilian companies in the international market.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its goals, ApexBrasil carries out diverse trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and enhancing the value of Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and commercial missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits by foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazilian brand.
Disclaimer: Information from third parties included games, sponsored events or not, presented in this newsletter may not reflect the opinion of Ambragames and the Brazil Games Project.
