What It Feels Like… A Year of Meetups in Review
It’s noon in Berlin. The air is humid, but the sun is beginning to break through. On the way to the GodotCon venue, enthusiastic indie developers greet each other, many of them showcasing their games for the very first time.
What does it feel like to be part of the Godot community and the events that W4 has proudly supported this year? Game development events like these are more than just showcases—they’re spaces to deeply connect with creators, understand their aspirations, challenges, and needs, and collaborate to help them achieve their goals. As light raindrops mingle with bursts of sunlight over the Berlin convention center, the cheerful atmosphere of GodotCon perfectly embodies the spirit of Godot—a spirit that W4 is proud to foster.
At an event like GodotCon, you experience a whirlwind of emotions. You meet creators of all ages—indie developers, established studios, students, and industry veterans—all united by their passion for game development. From booths presenting innovative projects to inspiring talks about breakthroughs in game technology, every corner of the event brims with creativity and excitement.
Behind the buzzing energy lies the simple joy of a developer showing their first game. “I’ve made my first game! Would you like to try the demo?” they ask, beaming. Events like these are about moments like that—developers eager to share their work and connect with a community that truly understands.
GodotCon 2024
GodotCon 2024 was filled with innovation, collaboration, and a celebration of the Godot community. The first floor was abuzz with indie developers showcasing their games—some ready to be ported to platforms like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. On another floor, discussions revolved around interactive storytelling and new ways to create immersive experiences. It was clear that the heart of game development lies in empowering creators. As a proud sponsor, W4 was thrilled to see developers inspired by talks that highlighted the intersection of innovation, performance, and new creative possibilities.
Clay John’s Vision for Rendering and Creativity
As Godot’s rendering team leader, Clay’s talk wasn’t just about technical updates; it was a call to creators to push their visual storytelling to the next level.
He delved into potential advancements like Deferred Rendering and Shader Templates, tools designed to make ambitious scenes more manageable without compromising performance. For indie developers, these updates mean the freedom to dream bigger—crafting intricate environments and effects that once seemed out of reach.
One of the most memorable moments was when Clay discussed the balance between cutting-edge technology and accessibility. By listening to community feedback, the rendering team ensured these updates weren’t just innovations but solutions tailored to real-world developer needs.
Pedro’s conference: Unlocking the Power of Performance
As developers filled the room for Pedro’s conference, the excitement was palpable. He shared how Godot’s revamped multithreading architecture allows games to run faster and handle more complexity. Attendees learned how these improvements could make a tangible difference, from smoother animations to more detailed environments.
For many, the talk wasn’t just about technical know-how; it was about unlocking the potential of their games. Pedro’s passion for performance was problem solver for many, and by the end of the session, the audience left armed with practical tips to enhance their projects.
Click here for the complete talk
David Snopek: Expanding Horizons with XR
David Snopek’s demo-packed session brought a glimpse for the VR community—one where Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) are accessible to all.
He showcased how Godot’s integration with OpenXR and Meta Quest empowers developers to create immersive experiences, complete with hand tracking, pass-through AR, and spatial anchors. David emphasized that these advancements weren’t just about the technology—they were about opening doors. For indie developers, XR can be a daunting field, but with Godot’s evolving tools,like C++ library and many more, GDExtension helps the VR community to reach their virtual players.
Click here for the complete talk
W4: From Godot’s Humble Beginnings to Shaping the Future of Game Development
A packed audience buzzed with excitement as Juan Linietsky took the stage, blending humor and nostalgia. Between playful remarks about the number of mates (and Argentinians) needed to build a game engine, he shared the story of Godot's journey—one of passion, perseverance, and a vision to empower developers worldwide.
The W4 team followed, each member sharing personal stories that reflected their dedication. Nicola spoke about the foundation of Godot, Fabio’s love for programming shone through as he detailed key breakthroughs, and the rest of the team conveyed how their shared efforts aim to bridge Godot’s open-source roots with the real-world needs of game developers.
From easing console porting with tools like W4 Consoles to creating cloud solutions that simplify multiplayer game development, each initiative is designed to ensure developers—whether they’re indie creators or established studios—can focus on what they do best: making incredible games.
Click here for the complete talk
GDC 2024: Where Godot’s Open-Source spirit shined brighter than ever
Attendees got hands-on with indie games, heard success stories of seamless console ports, and learned how W4 is making it easier than ever for developers to bring their visions to life. The pavilion was a bustling space that brought together developers, students, and industry veterans alike. The booth showcased 11 indie developers, industry-leading partners, and cutting-edge projects.
For many visitors, it was their first time seeing Godot in action, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Even industry studios dropped by to discuss their own experimentation with Godot and the challenges they hoped to tackle.
Meanwhile, co-sponsors like Synty Studios and Ramatak demonstrated tools designed to simplify workflows and empower creators. The Mirror drew crowds with its open-source multiplayer game creating solution, and Robot Gentleman impressed with polished games running smoothly on Godot.
Hosting such a prominent space reaffirmed our mission to empower developers with solutions like:
- W4 Consoles: Simplifying console porting with one-click tools.
- W4 Build: Streamlining cross-platform builds to save developers time.
- W4 Cloud: Enabling seamless multiplayer integration without the infrastructure headaches.
These tools aren’t just about efficiency; they’re about turning indie dreams into industry-ready realities. From casual meetups at GitHub HQ, among the W4 team, the event reminded us why we do what we do.
GDC2024 allowed us to connect face-to-face, fostering warm and meaningful connections with both indie developers and industry leaders.
As we leave behind the warmth of San Francisco, we head to Europe, Spain.
Cuenca: at the sunlight of medieval Castles creating solutions
While Berlin’s GodotCon’s rain turned into rays of sunshine, and GDC illuminating new ideas and inspiring projects, our next stop brought us to Spain—Cuenca, a land of historic castles and breathtaking landscapes. For a team spread across the globe, Cuenca bridged distances, aligning our goals and reinforcing a sense of belonging.
Cuenca was more than a corporate meetup; it was a moment to pause and reflect amidst the awe-inspiring backdrop of a centuries-old castle. Between team-building excursions and strategy sessions. In this unique setting, discussions about Godot’s features and tools grew into moments of inspiration, teamwork, and solutions, renewing our commitment to the developers we serve—ensuring that every tool, solution, and update we create is built on a foundation of empowerment and accessibility.
From the sunset of Cuenca, we journeyed across the globe to Japan, where we took part in the iconic Tokyo Game Show.
Tokyo Game Show: Alliance with Gotcha Gotcha Games
With Godot gaining momentum in the region and players eager to learn more about the tools reshaping game development in Japan. The response to our demos was incredible, sparking conversations about how our solutions can empower developers to elevate their projects to new heights.
Gotcha Gotcha Games brought W4 Games to Tokyo Game Show 2024, where the bustling atmosphere of the Indie Games Area was filled with curiosity and excitement. Visitors at Booth 09-W50 explored demos powered by Godot, including our standout showcase: Hamsterpocalypse, a MVP demo that is a live demonstration of the full potential of W4 Consoles, W4 Cloud, and W4 Build in action.
As we reflect on the insights and connections forged in Tokyo, we set our sights on the future. The energy and feedback we received at TGS only strengthen our commitment to creating tools that developers worldwide can trust and enjoy. Next stop? Argentina’s Expo Eva and Godot’s Meetup.
Expo EVA Argentina: Bridging Passionate Students and Professional Indie Devs
In the heart of Buenos Aires, within the majestic Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Cultural Center, one of the largest cultural venues in Latin America, Expo EVA Argentina brought together the vibrant talent of South America's independent game developers. This iconic eight-story building, originally the Buenos Aires Central Post Office, served as the perfect stage for the region's most exciting game development projects.
At Expo EVA, a carefully curated selection of independent games competed for the chance to showcase their demos to a broader audience. Among the featured projects, over ten were developed with Godot, representing a mix of indie developers, university students, and small entrepreneurial teams.
W4 was proud to support this thriving community. Our presence at Expo EVA included an engaging booth where visitors could participate in trivia, contests, and Q&A sessions about Godot. In addition, Lisandro Lorea delivered a comprehensive and inspiring keynote on Godot and W4’s solutions, captivating attendees with insights into game development and tools that empower creators.
To celebrate with the local community, we hosted a special meetup at Destello, Buenos Aires’ most beloved gamer bar. The event was an opportunity to connect with developers on a personal level, sharing ideas, projects, and dreams in an atmosphere of camaraderie and creativity.
Expo EVA reminded us of the passion and ingenuity that define South America’s indie game developers, and it was an honor to be part of such a memorable celebration of talent and innovation.
From rain to Brainshower of projects: Building Brighter Paths Together
Whether at industry-wide conferences or intimate team gatherings, these meetups remind us why we do what we do. They’re spaces to share stories, exchange ideas, and witness the unwavering dedication of indie developers and the creative spark that brings us all together.
Let’s continue to forge new ideas and create opportunities that make game development accessible, powerful, and inspiring. Together, we’re shaping the future of gaming, one step, one story, and one connection at a time.
So, what does it feel like to build paths together?
At W4, we’re glad to have been part of your journey this year, supporting you as you brought your projects and games to life. Thank you for allowing us to accompany you on this adventure and for sharing your dreams with us.
If you’d like to learn more about our journey or join us at an event in 2025, keep an eye on our updates.
Together, we’ll continue to grow, innovate, and support the incredible creators in the Godot community!
