For the first time ever, The Very Big Indie Pitch made it's way to Barcelona. It all took place during the first ever Pocket Gamer Connects to take place in Spain: Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona. The conference provided its traditional networking opportunities, many fantastic talks, panels, and active fringe events, including Investor Connector, Publisher SpeedMatch and, of course, the Very Big Indie Pitch.
We had a fantastic first year, with developers from all over the country gathering to enjoy talks, panels, and fringe events at one of our largest ever debut events.
The Very Big Indie Pitch was, this time, divided into two days, one for PC and one for mobile. Developers battled it out to see which games caught the eyes of our panel of experts. The pitchers had only five minutes to impress each judge before moving on to the next table. It's like indie game speed dating, with pitchers rapidly switching from judge to judge. Featuring a wide variety of games and genres, along with business models, there was a lot for the judges to take into consideration when picking their winners.
After the pitch, our judges got together to deliberate, providing tons of valuable feedback on the games and pitch style. Each developer received feedback, but only three games made it to the top - and of those, only one game swiped the legendary Golden Baseball Bat.
For this specific Very Big Indie Pitch, we saw 20 indie developers pitch to our judges. There was a massive variety, from story-driven games through puzzles to retro titles, but there can only be one winner.
First Place - The Midnight Barber by Omaet Games (Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC)
The Midnight Barber is a narrative rhythm game set in a supernatural 1970s Barcelona. You play as a quiet, night-time barber who listens as much as they cut, uncovering the hidden stories of clients through rhythm and presence. Each haircut is a conversation, each beat a choice.
As players sync their movements to evolving rhythms, they navigate branching, non-linear narratives full of small revelations and emotional twists. It’s not about skill or speed, but about tuning into others, slowing down, and creating space for reflection. Strange things may stir in the night, but at its heart, The Midnight Barber is a game about care, connection, and the quiet power of being there for someone.
Second Place - Hexplorando by Video Games Without Borders (PC)
Create wonderful and limitless landscapes inspired by the real world with this cozy 3D sandbox game. Unlock international landmarks and discover hidden gems in puzzle mode... and then use them all to reinvent the world in your creations!
Hexplorando takes famous places, landmarks, and creates fantastic puzzles around them. Our judges really enjoyed the pitch itself along with the concept of the game, and felt it had a strong chance at standing out amongs other tile-based puzzlers.
Third Place - Roombattle by Dust Games (Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC)
Roombattle is a party fighting game where players take control of customizable vacuum cleaners and compete in lively battles—without the usual violence of the genre. Instead of attacking, the goal is to pop your opponents' balloons while protecting your own. Along the way, players can also enjoy a variety of fun and unpredictable minigames. Designed for friends, families, and players of all ages, Roombattle is all about bringing people together in a lighthearted, accessible, and entertaining experience. Meet up with your friends, customize your vacuum, and get ready to battle in different rooms to claim victory!
Roombattle had a confident pitch, showing off a multiplayer with a unique spin to it. Our judges felt it was super fun and playful, making it a stand out game.
Want to show off your exciting new game? We host Big Indie Pitch events throughout the year, so make sure to regularly check our upcoming events page over on BigIndiePitch.com.
