CobraTekku Games, a German publisher specializing in indie games, made its Gamescom debut in 2024, presenting two titles to the public. CEO Stefan Dettmering explains why he chose Home of Indies as a partner—and why he will make the same choice again.
In 2018, after more than 20 years in marketing at Sony PlayStation, Electronic Arts, and Bethesda, I made the unusual decision to leave the corporate world and start my own business, BXDXO, offering independent marketing services. Typically, careers in the gaming industry follow the opposite trajectory—but for me, this was a deliberate step. I wanted to use my experience to help market games effectively without being bound by the rigid structures of major corporations.
Equally intentional was my decision in 2022 to found CobraTekku Games as an indie publishing label. My team and I are passionate about the creative diversity of the indie scene, but we also understand the challenges small studios face. Without significant resources for distribution and marketing, it’s tough for them to gain visibility. That’s why we launched CobraTekku Games—to support talented developers who can’t afford large-scale marketing efforts and to help them get the attention they deserve.
2024 marked a milestone for us: for the first time, we showcased two exciting indie projects at Gamescom—”The Edge of Allegoria”, a turn-based 2D RPG by Canadian developer Button Factory Games, and “KIYO – Bunny Tyranny”, a stealth platform-adventure from UK-based Pixel Rats. This event gave us the chance to shine a spotlight on these fantastic developers while also making a statement as a new indie publisher. And no one could have supported our debut better than Home of Indies.
Chris was always available, incredibly organized, and stayed calm even in the midst of chaos. […] We knew right away that we could fully rely on her.
Stefan Dettmering – CEO CobraTekku Games
Professional Support, Perfect Setup
We had been in contact with Chris from Home of Indies beforehand and had heard nothing but positive things about her work. The high-quality booth designs also caught our attention, so it quickly became clear that Home of Indies was the right fit for us. And we never regretted that decision.
We opted for a medium-sized booth with two gaming stations—an ideal setup. Our spot was at the edge of the Home of Indies area, ensuring plenty of foot traffic, while the three-wall layout gave us excellent branding opportunities. We brought our own tech and furniture, allowing us to tailor everything to our needs.
When we arrived on-site, the fully branded booth was already set up, so all we had to do was arrange our furniture and install our displays, which we had ordered from an event company. Communication with Home of Indies was seamless from start to finish. Chris was always available, incredibly organized, and stayed calm even in the midst of chaos. Watching how she managed everything so effortlessly gave us huge confidence in her team. We knew right away that we could fully rely on her.
Diving into the Gamescom Experience
Our Gamescom experience was wild—in the best way possible. Our three-person team took turns managing the booth—while we didn’t follow a strict shift system, everyone got at least an hour’s break. Additionally, the developers of “The Edge of Allegoria” and “KIYO – Bunny Tyranny” joined us, though they were mostly occupied with press and business meetings.
The interaction with visitors was fantastic. We handed out temporary water tattoos, which were a huge hit, and received tons of positive feedback on our branding—which was really rewarding. We had countless conversations, created a lot of social media content, and, most importantly, put our developers’ indie projects in the spotlight. Of course, we didn’t miss the Exhibitor’s Party. Events like these are perfect for networking while having a great time together.
Not everything went smoothly. Since we made the decision to attend Gamescom at the last minute, booking hotels for the developers was a challenge. Prices were high, and most accommodations were already sold out. Another lesson: we underestimated how much water we’d need. Talking to visitors all day without having drinks readily available was definitely not the best idea. Next time, we’ll be better prepared!
From Wishlist Growth to Real Connections
The response to both indie titles was great, which was also reflected in increased wishlist numbers. Since “The Edge of Allegoria” was close to release, it saw a slightly bigger boost compared to “KIYO – Bunny Tyranny”, which is set to release this year. So the true impact is yet to unfold. But one thing was clear: players were genuinely excited about both games.
The developers were absolutely thrilled by the whole experience and the appreciation they received. The positive reactions made it clear how important it is to step out of the digital bubble and connect with the community in person. Yes, attending an event like Gamescom is expensive, but it’s worth every cent. It’s not just about press coverage or leads; it’s about putting a face to your work and making your game truly tangible.
We’re Just Getting Started
Standing together as a team, sharing this experience, and feeling the energy from the gaming community was something truly special. And working with Home of Indies made the entire process incredibly smooth. Chris and her team proved to be reliable, patient, and professional partners who handled even the most stressful moments with ease.
Our first Gamescom appearance was just the beginning. We’ll be back in 2025 and we are certain that Home of Indies will help us maximize our success once again. We can’t wait for what’s next!
