Indie On The Roof 2026 by XD and TapTap

About this Event

🎟️This is a curated gathering, intentionally kept small and focused:
We welcome developers, publishers, and investors to apply here
Invites will be reviewed and sent out in batches on weekdays. Thanks for your patience and understanding!
*Thanks so much for the overwhelming response! Due to the high number of applications, we may not be able to accommodate everyone.

Indie on the Roof: Shanghai 2026

Indie On The Roof returns for another evening of games, ideas, and the people behind them.

Developers, publishers, media, and investors come together to play upcoming games, discover new projects, reconnect with old friends, and meet new collaborators—all above the historic skyline of Nanjing Road.

Good games. Great conversations. See you on the roof.

Game Demos

Walk the rooftop, pick up a controller, and discover what's next.

Meet developers, play games still in development, share feedback, and stumble upon your next favorite indie before everyone else.

Indie Talks

Skip the fluff. Keep the good stuff.
Short talks from developers, publishers, platform teams, and fellow creators—sharing what they're building, what they've learned, and what's next.

Spotlight Pitch

Have a game, an idea, or a team you're building?

Step onto the Spotlight stage for a quick live pitch. Whether you're looking for a publisher, collaborators, funding, or simply want more people to know about your game, this is your chance.

Open Mic

Take the rooftop stage, put your game on the screen, and share what you're building.
No sign-up needed—just jump in whenever you're ready.

Role-Based Matchmaking

At check-in, you'll receive a role badge:

Developer · Publisher · Media & Influencer · Investor & Platform

A simple way to find the people you're hoping to meet and make conversations easier to start.

Rooftop Drinks & Bites

We'll be spending the evening on the rooftop overlooking Nanjing Road, with drinks, snacks, music, and one of the best sunset views during ChinaJoy.

Free entry. No drink tickets. No formalities.

Come as you are.

Demo&Pitch Applications

Interested in showing your game?

Apply to host a demo station or give a Spotlight Pitch.

We welcome games of every genre and from every region. Space is limited, so applications will be reviewed and selected teams will receive confirmation by email.

Demo

Demo stations use standing-height cocktail tables with power provided. Laptops, Steam Decks, handhelds and controller-based setups work best. Because space is limited, we recommend avoiding large desktop or full keyboard-and-mouse rigs.

Spotlight Pitch

Looking for publishers, teammates, feedback, funding, or simply an audience?

Apply for a Spotlight Pitch and share your game live.

About Us

Founded in 2012 and listed on HKEX in 2019, XD is a seasoned game publisher and developer with a strong track record of success across both PC and mobile. XD has published several million-selling indie hits, in addition to creating over 30 in-house titles across all major platforms with a team of 1,600+ professionals. XD is also the founder of TapTap, a leading mobile game platform with a strong indie community. Deeply rooted in a global player ecosystem, XD is committed to supporting indie creativity and helping developers bring their visions to life.

Founded in 2016, TapTap is China’s leading mobile gaming platform and community. With over 60 million registered users and 41.8 million monthly active players, TapTap has facilitated more than 800 million game downloads. Proudly offering 0% platform fees, TapTap stands as the largest premium Android game marketplace in China, fostering a vibrant and engaged community of developers and gamers alike.

Questions about the event or showing your game? Drop us a line at — we'd love to hear from you.