50 publishers, investors, and international agencies from 12 countries, over 180 Italian teams, more than 1,000 one-on-one business meetings, and over 15,000 viewers for the Italian Video Game Awards ceremony
The sixth edition of First Playable, the business event for the video game sector organized by IIDEA (the association representing the industry in Italy) and the Toscana Film Commission – Fondazione Sistema Toscana, in collaboration with the ICE Agency and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, concluded with great satisfaction. This edition confirms the success of an event that in just a few years has become a key international meeting point for Italian and international professionals.
The initiative, which took place this year from July 3 to 5 in Florence at Cinema La Compagnia, the House of Cinema of the Tuscany Region, and the Innovation Hub of Nana Bianca, featured panels, business meetings, workshops, awards, and networking moments. Over 500 industry professionals attended the event, including 50 companies from 12 countries (Australia, Canada, Cyprus, South Korea, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, USA) and over 180 teams of Italian video game developers. Through the Meet To Match platform, more than 1,000 business meetings were scheduled. There were also in-depth moments: during the kick-off conference, 11 international speakers took the stage, and with the support of sponsors, 9 workshops on business or technical topics were conducted. The Italian Video Game Awards ceremony, broadcast exclusively on the Twitch channel of media partner Multiplayer.it, was watched live and online by over 15,000 viewers.
For the first time this year, First Playable established a country partnership with France, thanks to the collaboration of the Institut Français Italia, the cultural diplomatic network for the promotion of French culture abroad, SNJV (Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo), the association representing professionals and video game production companies in France, and CNC – Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée, the public body responsible for implementing multilateral policies in cinema, audiovisual, and video games.
Thalita Malagò, General Director of IIDEA, stated: “The 2024 edition of First Playable was a great success, consolidating the event as a premier meeting place for the Italian video game developer community and strengthening its role as an international showcase of excellence for the Italian video game industry. The support from central and local institutions was crucial, confirming the strategic importance of the initiative for promoting Made in Italy in the video game sector. We look forward to 2025 with new ideas to further develop the initiative.”
Stefania Ippoliti, Director of Toscana Film Commission, commented: “For the Tuscany Region, this long-standing partnership with IIDEA and the continued focus on the Italian video game world is a source of great satisfaction, confirmed by the surprising numbers that indicate rapid growth. But more importantly, the quality of the projects is the most encouraging premise for the future.“
Italian Video Game Awards
The awards ceremony was hosted by Giordana Moroni and Pierpaolo Greco, historical faces of the Italian media partner Multiplayer.it, who broadcast the event in live streaming exclusively on its Twitch channel. During the evening, 6 dragon tail-shaped statuettes were awarded to the winners of this edition, selected by an international jury composed of Meg Clarke, Senior Game Scout, Team 17, Raphael Colantonio, President and Creative Director, WolfEye Studios, Diego Grammatico, Business Development Executive, Games London, Vincenzo Lettera, Editor in chief, Multiplayer.it. For the first time this year, the fifth juror was represented by the aggregate vote of IIDEA members
The winners of the Italian Video Game Awards 2024:
Best Italian Game
• Mediterranean Inferno – Eyeguys/Santa Ragione
Best Italian Debut Game
• dotAGE – Michele Pirovano
Outstanding Art
• Universe for Sale – Tmesis Studio
Outstanding Experience
• Mediterranean Inferno – Eyeguys/Santa Ragione
Outstanding Italian Company
• Untold Games
Outstanding Individual Contribution
• Elisa Farinetti – Broken Arms Games
