Herofest 2026 features Swiss indie games at BernExpo venue

Fans of games, cosplay, and tabletop gaming gathered at the BernExpo site for the Herofest 2026 opening day, where long queues stretched out to the nearby tram stop. The annual gaming and pop culture convention, which has operated since 2018, filled its new festival hall with participants on Oct. 3, 2026, according to a report by plattformj.ch. Attendees encountered a large crowd on Friday as visitors arrived for the start of the event, passing attendees dressed in elaborate costumes such as an undead figure from the Midgard medieval market, characters Haku and No-Face from the anime film Spirited Away, Luigi carrying Mario, a member of the furry scene named NeonSharko, and a trio celebrating the manga Black Butler.

BernExpo Venue Draws Crowds for Cosplay and Swiss Indie Games

While elaborate costumes inspired by manga and anime franchises drew heavy attention in the main halls, a dedicated indie games area highlighted projects developed entirely within Switzerland. Plattformj.ch reported that local developers spent years working on these titles alongside regular jobs, relying on modest budgets to build their projects with significant creativity and love for the gaming world.

Among the local projects on display was “Furei – Journey of Two Spirits,” created by programmer Micha Schmid and composer Reina Burkhalter under their studio Harpy Seal Games. Marking their first convention appearance, the pair wore kimonos to match the Japanese aesthetic of their cooperative puzzle adventure. Players control the character Sora and a fox named Nyssa to solve puzzles and lift a curse cast by the Phoenix Furei.

Schmid and Burkhalter stated they spent roughly two years building the game together, with Burkhalter, who holds a bachelor’s degree in composition, composing an original soundtrack. A demonstration version of the title is slated for release late in 2026, ahead of a full launch planned for 2027.

Development Journey Behind Riverbound

Another local title featured in the indie zone was “Riverbound,” developed by Melchior Zimmermann and Roger G.M. The project originated at a rapid development event known as a game jam before sitting dormant due to competing life priorities, plattformj.ch reported.

Zimmermann noted that external work commitments delayed further development until earlier in 2026. The gameplay of "Riverbound" splits into two distinct phases, requiring players to load cargo onto a vessel before steering it safely down a canal filled with obstacles.

The Swiss games platform and convention continue to support local creators who develop independent software alongside professional careers.