Development
Xsolla at GIC Sprint 2026: powering connections in the heart of CEE
June 30, 2026•3 min
Central and Eastern Europe has one of the most energetic and fast-growing game development communities in the world, and the Game Industry Conference has long been its gathering point. This summer, GIC tried something new, and Xsolla was there for it.
A Fresh Take on a Familiar Stage
GIC Sprint made its debut at the Katowice International Conference Centre in Katowice, Poland, bringing the conference's signature blend of high-quality talks and serious B2B networking to Silesia in a format built for accessibility. Lower ticket prices, a more relaxed atmosphere, and a mid-year calendar slot made this edition something different: a genuine touchpoint for the community between the bigger seasonal events, rather than a scaled-down version of one.
"What impressed me most about GIC Sprint was that it didn't feel like a smaller version of the autumn event but rather it had its own identity, built around accessibility and real conversation,” said Blazej Krakowiak, Country Manager CEE at Xsolla. “The Silesia region by itself has a strong gamedev ecosystem and it’s also accessible to industry communities of neighboring countries. Our support for all the things which create relationships and enable deals felt right at home at the conference.” The result was an event that felt both familiar and refreshed, exactly the kind of space where real conversations happen. As a result, this year’s GIC Sprint was so successful that organizers and the city of Katowice have already announced the 2027 dates of GIC Sprint as May 5-8th. Where Xsolla Showed Up Xsolla sponsored the meeting system and meeting zone at GIC Sprint, two of the most practically valuable elements of any B2B conference. The meeting system gave attendees the tools to schedule and manage their conversations in advance, while the meeting zone provided a dedicated space for those conversations to take place. For a summer edition designed around connection and accessibility, it was the right place to be. Studios, publishers, and industry professionals across CEE used the space to sit down, compare notes, and explore what working together could look like. Why CEE Matters The CEE region continues to produce some of the most ambitious and creative game development talent in the world. Events like GIC and now GIC Sprint serve as critical infrastructure for that community, giving studios of every size the chance to build relationships that translate into real business outcomes. Xsolla's presence in Katowice reflects its ongoing commitment to showing up where developers are, not just where the biggest crowds gather. See You at the Next One GIC Sprint was a strong first edition and a clear signal that the CEE game development community has an appetite for more touchpoints throughout the year. Xsolla will be watching closely as the format grows, but in the meantime, Xsolla is looking forward to the main edition of GIC in Poznań this October. Xsolla will once again be supporting the community there by sponsoring the meeting zone and system, ensuring developers have the best possible environment to connect and grow.
"What impressed me most about GIC Sprint was that it didn't feel like a smaller version of the autumn event but rather it had its own identity, built around accessibility and real conversation,” said Blazej Krakowiak, Country Manager CEE at Xsolla. “The Silesia region by itself has a strong gamedev ecosystem and it’s also accessible to industry communities of neighboring countries. Our support for all the things which create relationships and enable deals felt right at home at the conference.” The result was an event that felt both familiar and refreshed, exactly the kind of space where real conversations happen. As a result, this year’s GIC Sprint was so successful that organizers and the city of Katowice have already announced the 2027 dates of GIC Sprint as May 5-8th. Where Xsolla Showed Up Xsolla sponsored the meeting system and meeting zone at GIC Sprint, two of the most practically valuable elements of any B2B conference. The meeting system gave attendees the tools to schedule and manage their conversations in advance, while the meeting zone provided a dedicated space for those conversations to take place. For a summer edition designed around connection and accessibility, it was the right place to be. Studios, publishers, and industry professionals across CEE used the space to sit down, compare notes, and explore what working together could look like. Why CEE Matters The CEE region continues to produce some of the most ambitious and creative game development talent in the world. Events like GIC and now GIC Sprint serve as critical infrastructure for that community, giving studios of every size the chance to build relationships that translate into real business outcomes. Xsolla's presence in Katowice reflects its ongoing commitment to showing up where developers are, not just where the biggest crowds gather. See You at the Next One GIC Sprint was a strong first edition and a clear signal that the CEE game development community has an appetite for more touchpoints throughout the year. Xsolla will be watching closely as the format grows, but in the meantime, Xsolla is looking forward to the main edition of GIC in Poznań this October. Xsolla will once again be supporting the community there by sponsoring the meeting zone and system, ensuring developers have the best possible environment to connect and grow.
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