AG French Direct 2026 — 40 francophone games revealed, 30 demos available now

The francophone showcase that's cementing its place

AG French Direct took place tonight at 6PM, streamed on YouTube and Twitch with a 15-minute pre-show hosted by journalist Salomé Lagresle starting at 5:45PM. The ActuGaming-organized event broke its own records this year: 40+ games presented, around 30 demos available as soon as the broadcast ended, and for the first time, full real-time English dubbing handled by Ryan Highley. The evening ran approximately two hours.

What sets AG French Direct apart is its unapologetically local and independent focus. No multinational AAA titles, no overhyped platform announcements. Instead, studios of a few dozen people — often based in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, or Montréal — present projects they've spent years crafting. The 2026 edition also introduces a Bilibili broadcast with Chinese subtitles, opening the door to the Asian market for studios that previously had zero visibility in that region.

The announcements that defined the evening

Maseylia: Echoes of the Past was one of the evening's most anticipated moments. This independent action RPG long awaited by the francophone community finally revealed its official release date. Developers showcased an extended gameplay sequence featuring fluid combat, a striking art direction with ochre tones and organic architecture, and an open world built around vertical exploration. Expectations had been high since the last demo — the presentation delivered on the promise.

Nocturnal 2 showcased new gameplay sequences, confirming the 2D action-adventure sequel is on track. The original Nocturnal won players over with its fire/darkness aesthetic and demanding platforming. This second installment appears to amplify both dimensions: environments are more varied, fire mechanics look considerably deeper, and developers mentioned a reworked progression system offering more freedom.

Wonderfall left an impression with its striking concept: Paris buried in sand. This platform and exploration game with clean visuals offers a post-disaster Paris where landmarks half-emerge from dunes. The team — just a handful of people — delivered a playable demo immediately after the show, and early Steam impressions are positive.

Heave Ho 2 received a developer diary from Le Cartel Studio, detailing design decisions for this sequel to the chaotic cooperative game. The original Heave Ho stood out for its physical humor and uncontrollable multiplayer situations. The sequel promises more ambitious content: new modes, extended customization, and denser levels.

Silent Planet – Elegy of a Dying World revealed its gameplay for the first time. This atmospheric RPG with dynamic environments showed how the game's biomes evolve in real time based on player actions and the planet's condition. The technical execution looks polished for an indie project, and the sound design shown in the demo is particularly strong.

30+ demos available right now

AG French Direct maintains its tradition of releasing playable demos at the end of the show. In 2026, 30+ demos are available on Steam as soon as the broadcast closes — more than in previous editions. This is one of the event's most tangible aspects: players can test games immediately rather than waiting for a Gamescom or Nintendo Direct for a potential trial version.

For indie studios, a working demo is a statement of good faith toward potential players. It's also a direct commercial lever: every hour spent in a demo statistically translates to more Steam wishlists, and therefore better algorithmic visibility at launch. Several studios present at AG French Direct have seen their wishlists double in the 24 hours after the event in previous editions.

A show looking beyond the francophone world

Adding real-time English dubbing by Ryan Highley comes from a straightforward observation: the English-language gaming press — which drives the bulk of global platform traffic — largely ignored AG French Direct in previous years. Not from disinterest in the content, but because watching a two-hour show in French was an effort few English-speaking journalists made. That barrier is now removed.

The Bilibili broadcast with Chinese subtitles targets a different but equally promising market. China is the world's largest gaming market by active player volume. For studios like those featured at AG French Direct, Bilibili exposure can mean contacts with Asian distributors and publishers — an outlet that simply didn't exist before.

The pre-show and student projects

Before the main show, Salomé Lagresle hosted a 15-minute segment dedicated to student projects from French game design schools. It's a segment often fast-forwarded on other shows, but here it carries a different weight: teams of 4–6 students presenting their first playable projects, sometimes at a presentation quality comparable to established studios. Several student games featured in previous editions found a publisher in the months that followed.

Verdict — a record edition, a platform that's growing

AG French Direct 2026 confirms the event has become a reference for anyone following francophone indie games. The quantity (40+ games), presentation quality, and internationalization ambition all delivered. If the demos hold up to their promises — and early Steam feedback seems to suggest they do — this edition could be the one that moves AG French Direct from a community event to a show recognized in international gaming calendars.

If you missed the show tonight, the replay is available on ActuGaming's YouTube channel. And if you're looking for where to start with the demos, Maseylia, Wonderfall, and Silent Planet are the three to try first.