Secret Sauce 2026 - Showcase & Steam Event Application
Use this form to apply for the Secret Sauce 2026 Digital Showcase and Steam Event! Applications close on February 19th at 11:59PM PT.

Got questions? Email secretsauce@offbrand.gg and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

We’re celebrating all things indie gaming with another year of the Secret Sauce Showcase! offbrand games and Open Sauce are coming back in 2026 to highlight dozens of exciting upcoming indie games across a variety of sizes, genres, and vibes. 

Secret Sauce 2026 will feature:

  • An exclusive online digital showcase the weekend of July 18-19 (co-streamed by Ludwig, gaming outlets, & more creators to be announced!)
  • A weeklong Steam event & sale (July 17-23)
  • An open expo for indies at Open Sauce 2026 in San Francisco (July 17-19)

FAQs
I'm not able to travel to San Francisco to exhibit. Can I still apply to the showcase / Steam event?
Yes! In-person attendance is totally optional (but highly encouraged - everyone who attended last year saw amazing foot traffic so we highly encourage exhibiting if you can!)

What is the cost to participate if accepted?
Participation in in the showcase, the Steam Event, and the in-person exhibition is free! 

I want to participate in the Steam event, but I don't have any announcements for the showcase. Can I still apply?
Yes! All games selected for the showcase and exhibited on-site will automatically be featured in the Steam event, but we'll also be selecting additional titles to round out our lineup for the Steam event.

My game is already released. Can I still apply?
Yes! For the showcase, we'll be prioritizing games which can offer exclusive content / trailers, but both released and unreleased games are eligible. 

For the Steam event, we're looking to strike a good balance of released and upcoming games, so we highly encourage you apply either way!

I only want to exhibit in-person. Should I still fill out this form?
No! This form is specifically to apply to the digital showcase and Steam Event.

If you are looking to also apply for the in-person exhibition, you can do so here beginning February 12.

Why should I apply to Secret Sauce?

Last year’s showcase was a massive success, co-streamed by offbrand games founder Ludwig alongside a Gamespot co-broadcast and trailers hosted on IGN channels. Secret Sauce 2025 peaked at 20k concurrent viewers, with nearly 2 million minutes watched and ~300k unique viewers reached.

Participating games enjoyed huge spikes in traffic and wishlists, collectively piling up over 100k new wishlists in the week of the event!

For 2026, offbrand is actively working to secure even broader co-streamer and media coverage!
Email *
What are you applying for? *
Games that apply for the digital showcase will still be considered for the Steam event even if not accepted! You do NOT need to submit two applications.
Studio Name *
Contact Email *
Name of Primary Contact *
Game Title

If you are submitting multiple games for consideration, please fill out the form once for each game.
Game Summary *
Has your game been announced to the public? If yes, please link the Steam page. *
Link to game if announced (Steam preferred) *
Has your game been released? *
Release date if unreleased
Publisher name, if any
Game Genres *
Game Engine *
Please link your active social media channels *
Open Sauce as a conference is an event that celebrates innovation and unique ways of thinking. 

What ways has your team done things differently or forged new paths in game development? (e.g. Does your game utilize a custom controller scheme?) 
Do any members of your team (particularly leadership) come from a background that is typically underrepresented in game development? *
If yes, please explain and provide additional context!
Have you used generative AI for the development of your game, or do you plan to use it later? (e.g. ChatGPT, Midjourney, Copilot, etc.) 
 *
What is the size of your development team? *
Has your game been featured in other game showcases? If so please list them.  *
Games accepted into the showcase livestream must be prepared to submit a 30-60 second trailer of new content or announcements. What new content would your trailer contain?

(If only applying to the Steam Event, please write "n/a")
 *
If accepted into the showcase, we will have several spots for developers to submit development diaries highlighting their team, process, and any unique stories they may have. 

Would your team be interested in filming and submitting a short video for the showcase? 

(If only applying to the Steam Event, please select No)
 *
To sustain our work, we reserve a small number of spots in each showcase for sponsors. 

Would you like to be considered for a sponsored spot? If your game is selected, you will receive more information about sponsorship options.
 *
(OPTIONAL) Please use this space for any additional information or concerns you would like us to know.
 *
A copy of your responses will be emailed to .
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