Published: 16.10.2026
The .games extension gives players and game makers a direct address for their projects. It suits game studios, esports teams, modding communities, fan clubs and reviewers. Use the availability form placed directly under this paragraph to see whether the .games name you want is still available.
Check if a .games domain is available .games Check
A short history
.games was introduced during the 2010s, when the naming system grew to include many new words. Gaming was among the topics that quickly found a natural home in the zone, because the word describes the subject of the sites that use it. Studios, communities and tournament organisers have registered names in it ever since.
Who runs it
As a generic zone, .games is administered under the framework of ICANN, and a registry operator maintains its database. Registrars sell the names to customers and handle orders, DNS changes and renewals. The registry publishes the terms for registration, so read them before you pay for a name.
Rules in practice
- Entry: any individual or business can apply, subject to the registry's terms.
- Technical rule: a label of up to 63 characters, using letters, digits and hyphens.
- Game servers: a name can point to a game server or a community site, provided the hosting can handle the traffic.
- Renewal: set auto-renewal, because a community site that goes offline is hard to restore.
Who uses .games
- Independent game studios that publish titles and updates.
- Esports teams, tournament organisers and league administrators.
- Fan communities, wikis and modding groups.
- Game reviewers, podcasts and video channels about games.
Strengths
- The word is clear and playful, and gamers understand the purpose of the address at once.
- It is short enough to fit on a box, a banner or a team shirt.
- For a studio, a stable name can outlive individual titles and carry the brand from one release to the next.
Things to keep in mind
- Game titles are often protected trademarks, so checks are essential before you use one in a name.
- A name tied to a single game can become outdated when the project changes.
- The zone is narrow in meaning, which limits its appeal for other kinds of business.
- Traffic peaks around launches and events, so the hosting must be ready for them.
Tips before you register
- Check game title trademarks and the names of existing studios before you choose.
- Name the studio rather than a single game if you plan several releases.
- Prepare a press page with logos, screenshots and contact details.
- Give publishers and press contacts a mailbox on the domain.
- Enable auto-renewal and keep a second name in reserve in case you rebrand.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to make games to use .games? No. Fans, reviewers, clubs and tournament organisers can use it too.
Is it safe to use a game title in a .games name? Check trademarks first. A domain can be free while the title is still protected.
Can I change from a game name to a studio name later? Yes. Set up redirects and update the links you control, so players can find the new address.
