Summer Game Fest 2023
Image: Summer Game Fest

It only feels like yesterday that we were getting geared up in preparation for last year's Summer Game Fest, yet here we are with Summer Game Fest 2023 - crazy, right?

Let's not dwell on the rapid passing of time, lest we fall into a deep well of existential crisis. Summer Game Fest 2023 is now the only overarching celebration of games over the month of June since E3 2023 was cancelled. Of course, companies like Microsoft and Ubisoft will showcase their upcoming slate of games on their own terms, but it certainly looks like Summer Game Fest is gearing up to supplant E3 as the go-to event over the course of the Summer. We'll be there this year, so look out for SGF-related features in the coming days.

This guide will tell you what you need to know in the run-up and during Summer Game Fest 2023. Should any fresh information get released in the coming days ahead of the big kick-off on June 8th, we'll be sure to update the below accordingly.

Summer Game Fest 2023 - What You Need To Know

What is Summer Game Fest?

Summer Game Fest, which started in 2020, is now an annual celebration of gaming, during which new titles are announced by publishers and showcased to media and general audiences alike.

While the festivities will kick off with an opening showcase in June, the event will essentially form a hub throughout the months of June and July, whereby partnered publishers can join in on the fun.

When is Summer Game Fest 2023?

Summer Game Fest 2023 kicks off on June 8th, 2023 with a live showcase hosted by the beloved organiser and Kojima's BFF, Geoff Keighley. After that, showcases will stretch across the Summer and encompass events both big and small from various publishers.

The opening showcase will take place on June 8th, 2023 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm BST / 9th June 5am AET.

Summer Game Fest Conference Times

As mentioned, Summer Game Fest will consist of multiple showcases during the Summer months. The below contains showcases that have been officially confirmed at the time of writing, and we will add more in as and when they're announced.

Event Date Times
Summer Game Fest 2023 Opening Showcase 8th June, 2023 12pm PT, 3pm ET, 8pm BST, 9th June 5am AET
Day of the Devs 8th June, 2023 2pm PT / 5pm ET / 10pm BST / 9th June 7am AET
Devolver Digital Presentation 8th June, 2023 3pm PT / 6 pm ET / 11pm BST/ 9th June 8am AET
Wholesome Games 10th June, 2023 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm BST / 11th June 2am AET
Capcom Showcase 12th June, 2023 3pm PT / 6 pm ET / 11pm BST / 9th June 8am AET

When Are The Other Summer Game Conferences?

These showcases take place around Summer Game Fest, but are not officially tied to the event.

Event Date Times
Guerrilla Collective 7th June, 2023 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm BST / 12th June 2am AET
Wholesome Direct 10th June, 2023 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm BST / 12th June 2am AET
Future Games Show 10th June, 2023 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST / 12th June 3am AET
Xbox Games Showcase & Starfield Direct 11th June, 2023 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST / 12th June 3am AET
PC Gaming Show 11th June, 2023 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 9am BSt / 12th June 6am AET
Final Fantasy XVI Pre-Launch Celebration 11th June, 2023 3pm PT / 6 pm ET / 11pm BST/ 12th June 8am AET
Ubisoft Forward 12th June, 2023 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST / 13th June 3am AET
RGG Studio 15th June, 2023 8pm PT / 11pm ET / 16th June 4am BST / 16th June 1pm AET

Who's Taking Part In Summer Game Fest 2023?

Regarding the Live Showcase itself, Keighley is understandably keeping much of it close to his chest at this time. He has confirmed that NetherRealm Studio's Ed Boon will be taking to the stage to showcase the very first gameplay footage for Mortal Kombat 1, and Remedy's Sam Lake will also be present to show off Alan Wake 2. The latter, sadly, won't be coming to the Switch at this time.

Summer Game Fest has confirmed that over 40 publishers will be taking part in the event this year, including:

Activision
Amazon Games
Annapurna Interactive
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Behaviour
Capcom
CD Projekt Red
Devolver Digital
Digital Extremes
Disney Interactive
Electronic Arts
Epic Games
Focus Entertainment
Gearbox
Grinding Gear Games
HoyoVerse
Kabam
Larian
Level Infinite
Magic the Gathering
Neowiz
Netflix
Nexon
Niantic
North Beach Games
Paradox
Pearl Abyss
Phoenix Labs
Plaion
PlayStation
Pocket Pair
Razer
Samsung Gaming Hub
Second Dinner
Sega
Smilegate
Square Enix
Steam
Techland
Tribeca Festival
Ubisoft
Warner Bros. Games
Xbox

For a look at the publishers partnered for the 2022 event, take a look at our previous guide.

How To Watch Summer Game Fest 2023

Nintendo Life will again be blogging the Opening Showcase and hosting the stream here, so be sure to join us on June 8th, 2023!

As for other showcases during the months of June and July, respective publishers will likely host the event on YouTube, Twitch, and other streaming platforms. Here at Nintendo Life, we'll determine which ones to livestream on a case-by-case basis, depending on how Switch-heavy the content is likely to be.

What's The Runtime For The Summer Game Fest 2023 Showcase?

The Opening Showcase will be roughly 2 hours in length.

Do I Have To Pay For Summer Game Fest?

Nope! All events will be completely free to view online. In fact, here's last year's Opening Showcase in case you'd like a sneak peek:


Let us know in the comments below if you have any specific questions regarding Summer Game Fest; we'll be sure to update the guide on a regular basis to ensure all content is as up-to-date as possible.