Soulven has confirmed that My Dear Emma, its narrative-driven first-person adventure, will be available to play in demo form at gamescom 2026, with the team present in Hall 10.2 for hands-on sessions and direct discussion
Indie studio Soulven has announced that its upcoming narrative adventure, My Dear Emma, will be available for hands-on play at gamescom 2026. The team will be present in Hall 10.2 at Booth D06, within the "Indie Burg" area, offering attendees the chance to experience the latest demo build and speak directly with the developers. No appointment is required for press, media or content creators, with the studio encouraging drop-in visits throughout the event.
Playable Demo and Developer Access
My Dear Emma is described as a first-person narrative adventure focused on exploration and emotional storytelling. At the booth, visitors will be able to play the most recent demo version, which is expected to take around 20 minutes to complete. The development team will be on hand to discuss the project's story, design approach and production process, providing additional context for those interested in the game's direction and mechanics.
For those preferring a scheduled session, Soulven has provided a contact email for arranging a dedicated time slot, with a stated response window of up to 48 hours. This approach is intended to accommodate both spontaneous and planned coverage, reflecting the studio's aim to make the demo accessible to a broad range of attendees.
Event Details and Access Conditions
Gamescom 2026 is set to take place in Cologne, Germany, with Hall 10.2 hosting a significant number of independent developers. My Dear Emma's presence at Booth D06 places it among a curated selection of indie projects, with the "Indie Burg" area designed to highlight narrative-driven and experimental titles. The demo is open to all press, media and content creators attending the show, and no prior registration is required for access to the booth or the playable build.
According to the studio, the demo session is structured to fit within a typical press schedule, allowing for both gameplay and follow-up discussion. The team has not specified any platform exclusivity or release date for My Dear Emma at this stage, and the current build is presented as a work in progress. This approach is consistent with other indie showcases at gamescom, where early access to playable content is often used to gather feedback and build awareness ahead of launch.
Genre Context and Industry Trends
My Dear Emma joins a growing list of narrative-focused indie games making their debut at major European events. The emphasis on atmospheric exploration and emotional storytelling places it within a genre that has seen increased attention in recent years, particularly as independent studios seek to differentiate themselves from larger, action-oriented releases. The hands-on demo format at gamescom mirrors the approach taken by other titles such as Supermarket Simulator, which was recently announced for Nintendo Switch 2 and highlighted in a recent NGB report on upcoming indie launches.
While My Dear Emma's full release date and platform line-up remain unconfirmed, its presence at gamescom signals a commitment to public engagement and iterative development. The studio's willingness to offer direct access to the team and the playable build suggests a focus on transparency and community feedback as the project moves towards completion.
In the context of gaming events, a public demo refers to a limited, pre-release version of a game made available for hands-on play at conventions or showcases. These builds are typically designed to highlight core mechanics and narrative elements, but may not represent the final quality, performance or content volume of the finished release. For indie studios, such demos are a key tool for gathering feedback, generating press coverage and building early interest among both players and media.
