📌 DESCRIPTION:
This session takes a candid look at the evolving landscape of games industry investment, challenging the traditional "hit-chasing" mentality and exploring where real value will be created over the next few years. As consolidation intensifies, VC appetite shifts, and new disruptive technologies threaten to upend old models, investors and founders alike must rethink what success looks like: Are scalable platforms and IP-driven franchises the true future, or are the next major opportunities hiding in underexplored corners like applied AI, creator economies, or web3 infrastructure?

💡 KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
— Are content studios, platforms, or tools the best bets for outsized returns in the coming years?
— Bubble or opportunity: How should investors judge the latest waves of AI, blockchain, and UGC technologies?
— What are the real risks and rewards of investing in live ops, niche genres, and evergreen IP versus "moonshot" new titles?
— Should investors prioritize fast growth or strong communities and long-term engagement?
— How consolidation, layoffs, and regulatory scrutiny are reshaping dealmaking and valuations.
— Strategies for spotting opportunity beyond North America: overlooked regional trends, founder profiles, and disruptive business models.
— Reimagining portfolio strategy: Is it time to end the “spray and pray” era of games investing?

😊 WHO’S IT FOR:
— VCs, private equity investors, family offices, and institutional funds evaluating or expanding their gaming portfolios.
— Studio founders and entrepreneurs seeking funding or exploring M&A.
— Business development and finance executives across the games industry.
— Analysts, journalists, and observers tracking capital flows and big market shifts.
— Anyone with a stake to build—in the global gaming ecosystem’s next phase.

📌DESCRIPTION:
This session will examine how game publishing is evolving for 2025 and beyond, spotlighting the growing significance of co-development, the proliferation of AI-powered tools, and the shift toward player-centric partnership models.

💡KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
— The rise of co-development: collaborative models between developers, publishers, and technology providers to accelerate innovation and streamline production.
— Harnessing AI in publishing: from content localization and market analysis to predictive player insights and enhanced live operations.
— Evolution of player-centric partnerships: focusing on trust, transparency, community engagement, and sustainable monetization.
— Strategies for selecting and managing publishing partners that support creative vision and long-term growth.
— Navigating the global landscape: regional best practices, emerging markets, and adapting publishing tactics for cultural nuances.
— Case studies and predictions on how the next generation of publishing partnerships will impact discoverability, retention, and commercial success.

😊WHO'S IT FOR:
— Game developers, producers, and creative leads seeking to leverage co-development and new publishing models.
— Publishers and service partners looking to strengthen collaboration and support for studios.
— Product managers, community leads, and live ops specialists interested in player-centric strategies.
— AI and technology innovators in gaming, business development, and operations roles.
— Investors, analysts, and anyone tracking the future of game production, partnerships, and publishing trends.

Description to be added soon

📌DESCRIPTION:
This session will explore where the mobile games business is headed over the next 2–3 years, focusing on the rise of alternative app stores and webshops, the hybridization of monetization strategies, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI and cloud gaming. Industry experts will discuss how developers, publishers, and platforms can adapt to a landscape where distribution channels are diversifying, user acquisition is more complex, and player engagement strategies must continually evolve to stay competitive.

💡KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
— The impact of alternative app stores and webshops on mobile game distribution and revenue models.
— Hybrid monetization: blending in-app purchases, advertising, subscriptions, and new approaches to maximize engagement and revenue.
— The role of AI, cloud gaming, and other emerging technologies in shaping game development, marketing, and personalized player experiences.
— Strategies for user acquisition and retention in a privacy-focused, highly competitive market.
— The growing importance of live operations, evergreen titles, and leveraging established IP to drive growth.
— Regional trends and opportunities in mobile gaming, including the rise of puzzle and hybrid-casual games. Predictions for the next wave of innovation and disruption in mobile gaming.

😊WHO'S IT FOR:
— Mobile game developers and publishers seeking to future-proof their strategies.
— Platform and storefront operators interested in the evolving distribution landscape. — Product managers, marketers, and monetization specialists in the games industry.
— Investors, analysts, and business development professionals tracking mobile gaming trends.
— Anyone interested in the intersection of technology, business, and creativity in the world’s fastest-growing gaming sector.

What to expect:

• Unlimited beer, wine & soft drinks
• A variety of delicious finger food

Location: To be announced soon