[Event news] Game Dev Heroes Expands Internationally with Launch of Game Dev Heroes Benelux 2026

This is a press release posted in addition to our usual editorial content.

New regional event, delivered by Analog Events in partnership with Games Jobs Direct & Control Magazine, will celebrate the unsung heroes of games across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

Rotterdam, Netherlands — March 2026: Game Dev Heroes, the awards initiative created to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked individuals powering the games industry, is expanding internationally with the launch of Game Dev Heroes Benelux 2026.

Taking place in Rotterdam on 2 June 2026, alongside INDIGO 2026, the new event will recognise the unsung heroes of game development across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, celebrating outstanding individual achievement across a wide range of disciplines. Nominations are now open, with submissions closing on 24 April 2026.

Game Dev Heroes Benelux is being delivered in partnership with Control Magazine, the long-established developer publication serving the games industry in the Netherlands and Belgium. Together, the partnership brings regional insight, industry credibility and a shared commitment to recognising the people who make game development thrive behind the scenes.

Originally launched in the UK by Alex Boucher MBE and Ian Goodall, Managing Director of Games Jobs Direct, Game Dev Heroes was created to celebrate the people whose contributions, leadership, creativity and support often sit outside the usual spotlight. Since its launch, the awards have built a strong reputation for recognising excellence across the games sector and championing the human stories behind great studios and great games.

The Benelux edition marks a significant new chapter for the brand, reflecting both the strength of the regional ecosystem and the growing appetite for more people-focused recognition across the global games industry. The new event will honour those making an impact across development, leadership, business development and positive industry culture, with nominations welcomed from across the Benelux region and neighbouring areas.

Alex Boucher MBE, co-founder of Game Dev Heroes and co-founder of Analog Events, said:
“Game Dev Heroes has always been about recognising the people who make an extraordinary difference, often without fanfare. Expanding into Benelux feels like a natural next step. It’s a region packed with talent, innovation and community spirit, and we’re excited to celebrate the individuals helping to shape it every day.”

Alessandra Van Otterlo, owner of Control added:
“By partnering with Control Magazine and launching alongside INDIGO 2026, we have a fantastic opportunity to create something meaningful for the Benelux games community — something that feels both celebratory and rooted in the region itself.”

The inaugural Game Dev Heroes Benelux awards will feature categories spanning game development disciplines as well as leadership, impact and achievement, with winners selected by a judging panel made up of developers and industry professionals from the region.

For more information and to submit a nomination, visit the Game Dev Heroes Benelux page.