A MAZE. / Berlin – International Games and Playful Media Festival
International Festival for Independent Games and Playful Media
About A MAZE. Berlin
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What is A MAZE.?
Founded in 2012, A MAZE. / Berlin is now the most important German festival for independent games beyond the commercial mainstream. Where gamescom in Cologne is the industry spectacle and Devcom the developer conference, A MAZE. is the platform for art games, experimental game designs, narrative formats, performance games, and playful media—games that are more art and experience than product.
silent green as a Venue
The festival's main venue is silent green Kulturquartier in Berlin's Wedding district (Mitte borough). The complex on Gerichtstraße is a former crematorium and now functions as a cultural center—its distinctive dome, cemetery garden, and workshops give the festival an extraordinary atmosphere. Additionally, A MAZE. uses Panke Culture in Wedding and HAU — Hebbel am Ufer in Kreuzberg.
Award Program: A MAZE. Awards
At its core are the A MAZE. Awards—one of the most prestigious awards for independent games worldwide. Submitted games compete in several categories (Most Amazing Game, Most Magic Mention, Human Award, etc.), decided by an international jury. Winning games from previous years have often gone on to achieve greater recognition.
Program Strands
The festival program is spread over four days and several strands:
- Showcase: Hundreds of games to play, curated and freely accessible
- Awards Ceremony: Award presentation in a festive setting
- Talks & Panels: Presentations by developers, theorists, artists
- Workshops: Hands-on sessions on game design, tools, storytelling
- Performances & Live Events: Playful performances, concerts, game theater
- Engage: Bazaar, Marketplace, Volunteer program
- Nightlife: Festival bar until late at night
Who Attends
The audience is a mix of game developers (from solo developers to studios), players, art students, theorists, and curious Berlin cultural enthusiasts. International guests make up a large portion—A MAZE. is one of the few game festivals with a genuine festival atmosphere (rather than a conference feel) and enjoys a strong reputation in the global indie game scene. The Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg is a funding partner.
A MAZE. Berlin — edition 2026
The anniversary edition celebrates 15 years of A MAZE. — since 2012, the festival has evolved from a small Berlin initiative into one of the central hubs of the international indie game scene. Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg is once again a funding partner.
silent green Kulturquartier in Wedding remains the main venue. The former crematorium complex, with its dome hall, studios, and garden, offers an unusual setting for game showcases, talks, and performances. Panke Culture (Wedding) and HAU – Hebbel am Ufer (Kreuzberg) serve as two satellite locations with special programming.
Programme A MAZE. Berlin 2026
Program strands for the 15th edition:
- Award Program: Submissions closed, jury has been working since February 2026 — nominees announcement in April, awards ceremony on Friday evening (May 15)
- Showcase: approx. 80–120 selected independent games and playful media works to play, curated by the A MAZE. team
- Talks & Panels: Presentations in the silent green venue, topics include Game Studies, Diversity in Games, AI Applications, Storytelling
- Workshops: Hands-on sessions on Game Design, Twine, Bitsy, AR/VR, Tabletop, and more
- Performances & Music: Playful performances and concerts in the late evening, festival bar in the silent green garden
- Engage: Bazaar, Marketplace, Volunteer and Community program
Detailed program (times, talk slots, workshop registration) available from the end of March 2026 at 2026.amaze-berlin.de. Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 15, evening at silent green.
Highlights A MAZE. Berlin 2026
- 15th edition of the festival — anniversary celebration
- silent green Wedding as the main venue
- A MAZE. Awards ceremony on May 15
- 80–120 showcase games from the international indie scene
- Talks, workshops, performances, festival bar
- Funded by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg
Prices A MAZE. Berlin 2026
4-day pass and day pass with student discounts. Awards Ceremony ticket bookable separately. Specific prices from March 2026 on the festival website. Advance sales via 2026.amaze-berlin.de.
Practical information — A MAZE. Berlin
Getting There
silent green: U-Bahn U6 Wedding, then 5 min walk. Panke Culture: U-Bahn U8 Gesundbrunnen. HAU: U-Bahn U1, U3 Hallesches Tor or U6 Mehringdamm.
Tickets
4-day pass, day pass, and Award Ceremony ticket bookable individually. Advance sales via amaze-berlin.de. Discount for students.
Tip
Long queues at the Showcase floor are normal. Expect waiting times for popular games. The festival bar at silent green is the central meeting point.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a A MAZE. Berlin al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place A MAZE. Berlin
silent green, Panke Culture, HAU – Hebbel am Ufer
Gerichtstraße 35, 13347 Berlin