How to get investment for your video game in 2026

During Game Republic's Investment Summit at MCM Comic Con in London on October 23, editorial director Jon Hicks spoke with Lirui Ding, Nick Cavander, and Cassia Curran about investment in the games industry in 2026. Ding emphasized that investment opportunities still exist, but they are more difficult to access. He suggested a combination of funding sources, such as Kickstarter, government grants, and informal investors.

Cavander agreed, pointing out that developers should avoid publishers and consider self-publishing due to unfavorable terms. Barclays' Eagle Labs can be a valuable networking opportunity. Curran mentioned that venture capital firms are increasingly focusing on project financing instead of traditional equity funding, which makes more sense given current market conditions.

VCs are looking for potential 10x returns within ten years, so game developers should focus on creating a 10x return opportunity, ideally with a franchise model. This means planning for multiple games over the next decade. Curran recommended contacting successful independent game developers who have excess funds but no clear plans for them, such as Outersloth and Evil Landfall.

Publishers are now focusing on specific genres, such as incremental idle games and tidy-up games, rather than chasing trends. However, this doesn't mean developers should hastily create an idle game. Curran noted that publishers are more likely to invest in games with existing traction or marketing, making it difficult for indie developers to find a publisher due to the high volume of pitches received.