WN Conference Istanbul’25

June 19-20, 2025
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The online platform availability: June 5 - July 4, 2025

About

WN Conference Istanbul'25 will take place on June 19-20, bringing together gaming industry professionals from around the world for two days of in-depth discussions, deal-making, and exclusive networking opportunities.

Day One will follow a classic conference format, with talks from industry experts, discussions on key trends, a developer showcase, and opportunities to meet potential partners.

VIP and Premium ticket holders will enjoy an exclusive boat cruise, featuring great food, drinks, and networking — all against the iconic backdrop of Istanbul.

It’s a tribute to the very first White Nights Conference, where it all began in 2012 - with a boat party full of ambition, creativity, and big dreams.

On Day Two, we’re preparing a variety of activities – including roundtable discussions, speed game dating, and investor pitches – to help you make the most out of the event!

Our Featured Speakers

Gökçe Oğuz

CEO
Boby.ai

Oz Silahtar

AI & Gaming Advisor

Arslan Kiran

Growth Lead Turkey at Moca Network
Animoca Brands

Mehmet Umut Ermeç

CEO
tiplay studio

Anastasiia Lebedeva

Account Manager
Allcorrect Games

Atakan Cankorur

CEO & Game Designer, Co-Founder
Arvis Games

Volkan Bozkaya

Co-Founder and CEO
Catoptric Games & Next in Game

Serkan Özay

Co-Founder & Creative Director
Hero Concept

Caglar Eger

CEO
exmox

Jascha Maijer

Director of Business Development, Games
Anzu.io

Abdus Samad

Director & Co-Founder
Finz Games

Ismet Gökşen

Founder & General Partner
Ludus Ventures

John Goodale

Advisor

Manos Yavroglou

Head of BD Razer Gold
Razer Inc

Our Advisors

Lisa Cosmas Hanson

President & CEO
Niko Partners

John Goodale

Advisor

Ante Vrdelja

Business Development Manager
Big Blue Bubble

Shum Singh

Managing Director & Founder
Agnitio Capital

UTC+3

09:30 - 10:30

Welcome Coffee

10:30 - 10:35

Welcome to WN Conference Istanbul'25!

An official introduction to the conference, outlining the agenda and key highlights for attendees.

Julia Lebedeva
WN Media Group
10:35 - 11:30
Panel Discussion

From Hyper-Casual to Steam: A Lifeline or the Next Trap?

The mobile market is shrinking. Steam looks like salvation — but is it? Let’s unpack the shift, the risks, and the reality.
The panel discussion is designed for founders, producers, marketers, and investors navigating mobile stagnation.

Key Talking Points:
- Why the sudden shift from mobile to PC?
- Is the Steam rush a bubble or the beginning of a new cycle?
- Which product, marketing, and budget strategies actually work on Steam?
- How do team structures and production pipelines need to change?
- What’s really being lost - and gained - in the shift?

ModeratorVolkan Bozkaya
Catoptric Games & Next in Game
Dilara Kececi
Lorien Accelerator
Atakan Cankorur
Arvis Games
Kirill Bushuev
Brightika
Mehmet Çakan
Teneke Kafalar Studios
11:30 - 12:30
Panel Discussion

In-House, Outsourced, or AI: What Works Best for Ad Creatives?

Creatives remain the backbone of performance marketing — yet creating winning assets has never been more complex. In this panel, we’ll get into the evolving landscape of creative production, where the pressure to deliver fast, cheap, and effective ads collides with limited testing bandwidth and rising competition.

With top concepts cloned within hours, outsourcing becoming increasingly template-driven, and AI disrupting traditional pipelines, how do leading teams stay ahead? We'll explore which models (internal, external, AI-assisted, or hybrid) actually deliver results today — and how to scale creative production without sacrificing quality or ROI.

Key questions for discussion:

  • How to generate original ideas that aren’t instantly copied
  • When outsourcing helps — and when it hurts
  • Playables and precision: is external help worth the risk?
  • The real role of AI in creative pipelines — today vs tomorrow
  • Scaling production with limited testing capacity
  • KPIs and success metrics: what should creative teams be measured on?
12:30 - 13:00
Solo Talk

How to Win at Video Game Marketing

Ante Vrdelja
Big Blue Bubble
13:00 - 14:00

Refreshments Break

14:00 - 14:30
Panel Discussion

How to Pitch to Gaming VCs (and Get Funded)

Gain insider tips on crafting compelling pitches and securing investment from leading gaming VCs.

İsmet GÖKŞEN
Ludus Ventures
14:30 - 15:00
Solo Talk

Today's World is Going Fractional: The Opportunities, Challenges and Frenetic Pace of Serving More than One Master

John Goodale
15:00 - 15:30
Solo Talk

Maximizing Rewarded User Acquisition: Strategies for Sustainable Growth in Gaming

Rewarded traffic can deliver high-quality users — if done right. In this session, Çağlar Eger from Exmox will share proven strategies for scaling rewarded UA campaigns without sacrificing ROAS or user experience. Learn how leading studios leverage reward mechanics to drive long-term engagement, reduce CPIs, and build sustainable growth across platforms.

You’ll walk away with practical frameworks for:

  • Identifying the right channels and partners for rewarded UA
  • Avoiding common pitfalls in incentive-based campaigns
  • Measuring and optimizing for long-term value over short-term installs
  • A must-attend for UA managers, growth leads, and monetization strategists looking to diversify their acquisition playbook.
Caglar Eger
exmox
Seyhmus Ölker
Mega Fortuna
15:30 - 16:30
Panel Discussion

The AI Dilemma: Where Will Our Future Specialists Come From?

As AI increasingly automates entry-level tasks and roles, many organizations are rethinking their need for junior specialists. This discussion will explore the long-term consequences of this shift: If companies no longer hire or train juniors, how will the industry cultivate the next generation of middle and senior experts? We’ll examine the risks to talent development, potential gaps in expertise, and what strategies businesses and educators might adopt to ensure a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals in an AI-driven future.

ModeratorOz Silahtar
Gökçe Oguz
Boby.ai
16:30 - 17:00
Solo Talk

Web3 Gaming: Beyond the Hype

Separate fact from fiction as experts discuss the real opportunities and challenges of blockchain and Web3 in gaming.

Arslan Kiran
Animoca Brands
17:00 - 17:30
Solo Talk

Indie Stories: From Near Bankruptcy to Profits

Filip Fischer
Charged Monkey

Speakers and program to be updated!

For Developers

Game developers will have an excellent opportunity to showcase their projects and attract the attention of industry experts.


Applications for the Developer Showcase and Indie Pitch will be accepted until June 17, 2025.

Choose your tickets

Please pay attention that VIP, ONLINE and GAME STUDIO PASSES are reserved exclusively for companies that create original IP, with or without self-publishing. Service provider companies can purchase EXPO PACKAGE only.
EXPO PACKAGE
  • Table with signage in the Expo Zone
  • Logo on the Event page
  • Schedule meetings at your table via the Meeting System
  • 2 Premium Passes

Only 7 spots left at this price!

€3,000
+VAT
1
VIP PASS
  • Meeting System on WN Hub
  • Lecture Halls Access
  • Networking Area Accessㅤ
  • Coffee Breaks
  • Pre-Party on 18.06
  • Networking Party on 19.06
  • Priority Registration
  • VIP Badge
  • VIP Lounge
  • VIP Seats in Lecture Halls

Early Bird price until June 5

€699
€799
+VAT
1
PREMIUM PASS FOR GAME STUDIOS
  • Meeting System on WN Hub
  • Lecture Halls Access
  • Networking Area Accessㅤ
  • Coffee Breaks
  • Pre-Party on 18.06
  • Networking Party on 19.06

Early Bird price until June 5

€399
€499
+VAT
1
ECONOMY PASS FOR GAME STUDIOS
  • Meeting System on WN Hub
  • Lecture Halls Access
  • Networking Area Accessㅤ
  • Coffee Breaks
  • Pre-party on 18.06
  • Networking Party on 19.06

Early Bird price until June 5

€299
€399
+VAT
1
ONLINE PASS
  • Meeting System on WN Hubㅤ

Early Bird price until June 5

€269
€319
+VAT
1
Get your ticket now!

Sponsors

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

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Last Year Sponsors

Last Year Partners

Partners

Location

Halic Congress Center

Sutluce Mah. Karaagac Cad. No.19 34445, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey

For Volunteers

Join the conference for free

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

For Students

WN Media Group is here to support rising talents. We’ve reserved a limited number of free tickets for students passionate about the video game industry!

Tell us why attending this conference matters to you and what you hope to gain from it. The most inspiring stories will earn free tickets, helping you to kickstart your journey in the gaming world.

Applications will be accepted until June 17, 2025

Students application form

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
LinedIn: Elena Sidorova

Antonio Pasalic

Program Director
antonio@wn.media