adminGalaxies Showcase has carved out a place in the busy games-event calendar by offering a focused alternative to sprawling presentations. Founded by Chris Thomas, the twice-yearly event combines game announcements with a tightly planned, one-hour runtime. Its approach aims to give viewers a varied selection while creating opportunities for both established publishers and independent developers.
Thomas says the original idea was to make the kind of show he wanted to watch: a polished production that respects viewers’ time. Rather than dedicating long stretches to a single franchise, Galaxies uses what he describes as a “tapas-style” mix. Each game receives a brief appearance, so viewers can move on to another title without sitting through lengthy segments they may not enjoy.
Image credit: Galaxies Showcase
How Galaxies Showcase found its audience
Thomas launched the project after ten years leading video game sales at Twitch’s UK office, following earlier sales roles at GameSpot UK and Videogamer. His industry contacts helped him assemble a small team: his partner, Ari Raad, curated the games, while Seb Ford’s production company DoubleJump supported the show. Outside Xbox’s Jane Douglas became its regular host.
The first broadcast was a significant financial risk. Thomas had left Twitch and had only enough money to cover recording in a small Croydon studio. A single paid co-stream was arranged with CohhCarnage, while Streamers Connected and other Twitch creators joined without payment. By the end of the first show, 120 Twitch co-streamers had signed up.
Publishers and developers were invited to take part at introductory pricing, with no guaranteed audience figures. Konami, Remedy, Krafton, Kepler, and Team17 joined the first lineup, which included new Expedition 33 gameplay and Twitch drops for Black Desert Online. The event debuted in March 2025 on Twitch and was also co-streamed by IGN.
Co-streaming helped the broadcast reach a much larger audience after Asmongold picked it up, contributing to a seven-figure view count across Twitch and YouTube. Thomas recalls that the show reached about 23,000 concurrent viewers. The response encouraged participants to ask when the next event would take place, while interest from developers and publishers helped bring more exclusive announcements to later editions. The second show opened with the world premiere of cyberpunk shooter Defect; the third featured seven world premieres, including titles from Bandai Namco, Astragon Entertainment, and PQube.
Chris Thomas | Image credit: Galaxies Showcase
Balancing paid placements and curation
Galaxies mixes paid slots with selected games that appear without a fee. The balance depends partly on commercial demand, but Thomas says variety remains a priority. A lineup dominated by one genre, such as Soulslikes, pixel-art games, or racing titles, would not serve the broad audience the showcase is designed to reach.
The commercial model is intended to help smaller studios gain exposure. Revenue from companies with marketing budgets can support opportunities for indie teams and solo developers who might not otherwise be able to afford a place in a large showcase. For developers assessing an event, it is useful to ask about the audience, presentation format, and placement terms before committing a marketing budget.
Keeping the Galaxies Showcase focused
As the production has grown, the team has invested more in its stage and visual presentation and brought in partners to extend its reach. The format may continue to evolve, including with post-show programming, but Thomas says the main broadcast will stay limited to 60 minutes. That clear runtime gives viewers a practical expectation and helps the event maintain its distinctive pace.
Thomas is not treating growth as a goal in itself. He says progress can mean improving the quality of the games, building recognition, or becoming a destination for enthusiastic viewers—not simply increasing revenue. For participating developers, the aim is to reach people who are genuinely interested in discovering new games.
Why Galaxies Showcase stands out
In a crowded calendar of digital presentations, Galaxies Showcase differentiates itself through concise programming, a mix of paid and curated placements, and an emphasis on discovery. Its early growth shows how a carefully defined format can attract both viewers and industry partners. For audiences looking for a fast-moving range of announcements, and for smaller studios seeking visibility, its focused approach offers a distinct option.
