12 essential sessions to attend at Devcom 2024

This week in Cologne is set to be a dynamic one, with both Devcom and Gamescom drawing gaming industry professionals from all corners of the globe.

Devcom kicks off with a two-day conference, featuring over 250 speakers addressing significant industry challenges across more than 200 sessions.

The complete program is extensive, and to assist attendees, the GamesIndustry.biz team has highlighted select standout sessions expected to be particularly engaging.

The Devcom Developer Conference 2024 takes place from Monday, August 19, to Tuesday, August 20, at Koelnmesse, Cologne. Further details can be found on the event's official website.

Monday, August 19

A Case for Better Story Integration — or, "I Am Begging You People To Stop Calling It A Story Wrapper"
10am-11am, Keynote Stage – Confex Expo Floor

Kelsey Beachum, writer and narrative designer for Outer Wilds, will kick off Devcom with a keynote addressing how every game component contributes to storytelling, moving beyond traditional dialogue and cutscenes.

The Global PC and Console Games Market, Forecasts, and Trends for 2024
11.30am-12.30pm — Stage 5 - Xsolla Stage - Confex 2 Floor

Devan Brennan from Newzoo will present the latest statistics and insights regarding the global PC and console gaming markets, encompassing revenue streams, consumer behavior, and projections through 2027.

Surviving Eight Years as an Indie Studio: Tools Kept and Tactics Scrapped
12.30pm-1.30pm — Stage 14 - Confex 3 Floor

Philomena Schwab, CEO of Stray Fawn Studio, will share key insights from her studio’s journey, discussing substantial lessons learned and strategies indie developers can utilize to overcome industry obstacles.

A Glimpse Behind the Curtain: Content Considerations for Indie Publishers in 2024
1.30pm-2:30pm — Stage 14 – Confex 3 Floor

Jasper Barnes, Team17's head of game scouting, will elaborate on the processes indie publishers undergo when selecting new projects, providing developers clarity on the elements that contribute to a title’s success.

How to Lose a Player in 10 Days
3pm-3.30pm — Stage 5 — Xsolla Stage — Confex 2 Floor

Feras Musmar, product director at TTK Games, will delve into player retention challenges in non-live service games and share strategies to prevent players from leaving before fully engaging with the title.

The Art of Closing
5.30pm-6.30pm — Stage 14 - Confex 3 Floor

Fleur Marty, producer at Ubisoft Montreal, will offer insights into one of the more understated yet pivotal phases of game development—closing—and share best practices for ensuring quality in final deliveries.

Tuesday, August 20th

Going to Valhalla in 'God of War'
11:30am-12:30pm, Stage 1 – Confex Expo Floor

Mihir Sheth, co-game director of God of War Ragnarök, will discuss the development of the game’s first DLC and its significance within the franchise as well as its impact on fans.

Exploring Ethical Horizons: The Challenges of AI-Generated Art
12pm-12:30pm, Stage 11 – Confex 3 Floor

Judy Ehrentraut from Red Meat Games will focus on the necessity of training AI models with ethically sourced content to ensure fair compensation for artists and creators while exploring the broader implications of AI.

Tackling Sexism and Resistance to Diversity in the Modern Games Industry
1:30pm-2:30pm, Stage 8 – Call for Change Track – Confex 3 Floor

Jamie Christensen and Cecilia Luna from Bytro Labs will discuss the ongoing challenges that women and LGBTQ+ individuals face in the game industry, examining historical progress and potential short- and long-term solutions.

Demystifying Creativity
3pm-4pm, Stage 1 – Confex Expo Floor

Fawzi Mesmar, Ubisoft’s VP of global creative, will delve into the essence of creativity in game development, blending insights from psychology and neuroscience with personal experiences.

AAA Graphics are Dead
4pm-5pm, Stage 1 – Confex Expo Floor

Matt Radford, CEO and creative director of 5th Corner, will examine the next phase for AAA gaming, focusing on the evolution of photorealism and lessons learned from notable projects like Uncharted and The Last of Us.

Cozy Futures: Challenging Traditional Game Design
4pm-5pm, Stage 17 – Confex 3 Floor

Ustwo Games director Jennifer Estaris will moderate a panel with notable figures discussing innovative approaches to game design that prioritize diverse aspects of creativity.