The latest announcement for the Nordic Game conference reveals that developers behind Planet of Lana will be among the featured speakers.

The Nordic Game conference is set to take place from May 26 to 29 at the Slagthuset venue in Malmö. GamesIndustry.biz has received exclusive information about the newly added speakers and the event's innovative AI Track. As a media partner, GamesIndustry.biz will cover the conference in detail.

Adam Stjärnljus and Klas Eriksson from Wishfully, known for the game Planet of Lana and its follow-up, will share insights into the development journey spanning three decades. Their discussion will emphasize the perseverance required in game development over such an extended period.

Raw Fury's Juliette Auverny-Bennetot will divulge the "New Rules of Game Publishing," explaining what current-day publishers seek and how agreements are typically reached, while Trine Laier from Those Eyes studio will discuss innovative methods in game mechanics to deepen player engagement and evoke stronger emotions. Additionally, John Dower, with experience from Rockstar Games and Saber Interactive, will lead a session on the role of motion capture in contemporary game production. Amanda Gardfors Granberg and Alexander Benitez of Windup Games plan to focus on designing with the player in mind, offering guidance on crafting engaging gameplay loops.

Joining these speakers are Anna Norrevik from DICE, discussing the collaborative efforts behind Battlefield 6, and Gerardo Basurto of Embark Studios, who will delve into the success of Arc Raiders. A full list of speakers is available here, with more names to be unveiled soon.

The conference will also host the Nordic Pitch challenge, where developers have three minutes to present their games. In tandem, the Games Industry Network will offer a combination of social networking, industry database, event matchmaking, and private discussions.

AI Track

This year's event introduces a novel AI Track, organized by ImmerSynth Inc.

Featured speakers on this track include Alastair and Alexander Chamorro from Infinity Fiction, alongside advisor John Clark, formerly of Sega Europe, and Jeff Gardiner of Something Wicked Games. They will present "Human-Led AI: the Future of Role Playing Games," covering themes such as AI's role in storytelling and game design while maintaining IP, narrative, and player trust.

Odd Latent's CEO Tatu Petersen-Jessen will talk about starting an AI-focused development studio, and Ewa Antczak from Felixa will discuss creating safer online environments through a combination of psychology and technology. Additionally, Jan Schnyder from Nunu AI will address successful AI-driven game testing methods and their limitations in his talk "AI Game QA: What actually works today?"

Looking ahead to 2026, Nordic Game anticipates over 3,000 attendees and plans to showcase more than 100 indie games. Until April 30, tickets are being offered at a €100 discount.

Jacob Riis, the program director at Nordic Game, spoke to GamesIndustry.biz on how the rise of indie gaming reflects changes within the broader games industry.