WN Abu Dhabi'26

February 11-12, 2026
The online platform availability: January 28 - February 26, 2026

About

This event brings together 500 professionals from the global game industry for meaningful conversations and high-quality connections.

Day 1 features four interactive content tracks focused on real business challenges, with discussions, roundtables, and masterminds instead of classic talks. A dedicated Networking Area supports ongoing meetings and a Developer Showcase, followed by a Networking Dinner & Party.

For those looking to go deeper, Day 2 offers an exclusive networking experience in a different setting, designed for smaller groups and high-quality connections. The format prioritizes people, topics, and real interaction over traditional conference structures.

Who's Joining You at WN Abu Dhabi'26 (full list accessible via meeting system)

Nick Phipps

Product Owner (Growtopia)
Ubisoft

Varvara Iaffa

Head of Promotion and Cooperation with Mobile Platforms and Stores
MY.GAMES

Robert Bagratuni

CEO
Mundfish

Kirill Gurskiy

Managing Director
GEM Capital

Nick Matsokin

Executive Director
MGVC

Stoyan Angelov

Founder & CEO
Evedo

Philipp Mishchenko

Chief Marketing Officer
Jet Games

Romain Mardot

Strategic Partnerships Development Manager
Google

Walter Somol

Director, Epic Games Store Biz Dev
Epic Games

Roman Gurskiy

Managing Director
GEM Capital

What to expect at WN Abu Dhabi'26

Download program*
*may be updated

UTC+4

Four Houses. Four Core Domains of Decision-Making in Games

The video games industry has always been multidisciplinary. What has changed is the degree of interdependence between its key domains.

In 2026, decisions around financing, strategy, live performance, and production technology are no longer isolated:

  • M&A outcomes depend on LiveOps performance;
  • Market strategy is shaped by AI-driven production realities;
  • Growth and retention strategies influence valuations and investment appetite.

To reflect how professionals actually work today, WN Abu Dhabi is structured around Four Houses — each representing a distinct, yet interconnected, area of expertise that shapes business outcomes across the industry.

Expected formats include: peer roundtables, clinics, postmortems, workshops, and curated networking formats.

Feel free to move between Houses to enhance practical exchange between experienced professionals — founders, executives, producers, investors, and operators

I. House of Deals & Capital

This House is dedicated to the forces that reshape the industry at scale: acquisitions, strategic investments, valuations, and exit strategies.
Here, founders prepare for deals, investors assess risk and opportunity, and executives exchange hard-earned lessons from the negotiation table.

Who it’s for:
Founders, CEOs, CFOs, investors, BD leads, corporate development teams

Notable Members of the House:

Nikita Matsokin
MGVC
Kirill Gurskiy
GEM Capital

II. House of Strategy & Markets

Markets shift. Platforms evolve. Models rise and fall.
This House focuses on strategic clarity — helping studios and publishers make informed decisions in an increasingly volatile global landscape.
Expect fewer predictions, more frameworks — and honest discussions about what actually works.

Who it’s for:
Studio leadership, product strategists, publishers, analysts, senior producers.

Notable Members of the House:

Romain Mardot
Google
Varvara Iaffa
MY.GAMES

III. House of Growth & Live Operations

This is where games live — or die.
The House of Growth & Live Operations is dedicated to sustained performance: retention, monetization, user acquisition, content cadence, and live economies.
It is unapologetically practical, data-informed, and experience-driven.

Who it’s for:
Product managers, LiveOps leads, monetization designers, UA managers, analysts.

Notable Members of the House:

Nick Phipps
Ubisoft Abu Dhabi
Philipp Mishchenko
Jet Games

IV. House of Artificial Intelligence

This House is focused on real-world implementation — how artificial intelligence is reshaping production pipelines, LiveOps, business operations, and studio structures.
The emphasis is on workflows, ROI, governance, and integration — not hype.

Who it’s for:
CTOs, producers, tech directors, operations leads, founders.

Notable Members of the House:

Stoyan Angelov
Evedo
Noor Ul Ain Fatima
Bleeding Edge Studio

Speakers and program to be updated soon!

Location

Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa

High-end desert golf club with a sleek, sprawling clubhouse, 27 championship holes & dining options. All our activities will take place overlooking the golf fields! The upcoming event promises to be unique and truly exceptional.


Choose your tickets

Please pay attention that Game Studio Passes are reserved for companies that create original IP, with or without self-publishing.
PREMIUM PASS

Meeting System on WN Hub

Day 1 (11.02.2026) — Main Event

  • All Conference Activities
  • Interactive Content Tracks
  • Networking Area
  • Coffee Breaks
  • Lunch
  • Networking Dinner

Day 2 (12.02.2026) — Networking Yacht Cruise

  • Networking coffee before cruise
  • Themed lunch on the water
  • Roundtable discussions
  • Hotel transfer included

Early bird price until January 28

€550
€650
+VAT
1
STANDARD PASS

Meeting System on WN Hub

Only Day 1 (11.02.2026) — Main Event

  • All Conference Activities
  • Interactive Content Tracks
  • Networking Area
  • Coffee Breaks
  • Lunch
  • Networking Dinner

Early bird price until January 28

€399
€500
+VAT
1

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If you'd like to explore branding opportunities, please let us know!

Platinum Partners

Gold Partners

Silver Partners

Media Partners

WN Abu Dhabi Partners and Supporters

For Volunteers

Join the conference for free

Help the WN Conference Team and get a free pass to join the conference in Abu Dhabi.

Contacts

Got questions? Please let us know!

For any questions including payment issues, please contact us at welcome@wn.media.
Pavel Ryaykkonen

CEO & Founder
pavel@wn.media

Julia Lebedeva

COO & Partner
julia@wn.media
Telegram: @Julia_Lebedeva
LinkedIn: Julialebedeva

Elena Sidorova

Sales Director
elena@wn.media
Telegram: @elenassidorova
LinkedIn: Elena Sidorova

Oleg Nesterenko

Program Director
oleg@wn.media