WN Abu Dhabi'26

二月 11-12, 2026
The online platform availability: 二月 4-26, 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.

For those looking to go deeper, Day 2 offers an exclusive networking experience on the yachts 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

Robert Bagratuni

CEO
Mundfish

Bahaa Hamza

MENA Analyst
Niko Partners

Kirill Gurskiy

Managing Director
GEM Capital

Walter Somol

Director, Epic Games Store Biz Dev
Epic Games

Ilman Shazhaev

Founder & CEO
Dizzaract

Eric Husny

Senior Investment Associate
Impact46

Sali Elagab

Value Creation & Strategy Associate
Shorooq

Nick Matsokin

Executive Director
MGVC

Stoyan Angelov

Founding Member @ Arcana / Founder & CEO @ Evedo

Noor Ul Ain Fatima‏

Co-Founder & CGO
Bleeding Edge Studio

Emre Han

Head of BD
Dizzaract

Philipp Mishchenko

Chief Marketing Officer
Jet Games

Inna Gosteva

CBDO
Digital Vortex

Roman Gurskiy

Managing Director
GEM Capital

Boris Kalmykov

CEO & Co-Founder
Hypemasters

Muhammad Zeeshan K.

Technical Director - Online
Ubisoft

Joseph Saade

Operations Manager
DigiPen Institute of Technology

Ali Al Hamwi

Founder & CEO
SIFOR GAMES

Ozgur Ozalp

EVP of Business Development (MENATI)
PlaySide Studios

Elio Polizzi

Production Director
Hypemasters

Raymond Yan

Senior Executive Vice President, Special Initiatives
DigiPen Institute of Technology

Pieter van der Pijl

CEO & Co-Founder
Triple Dragon Limited

Alexey Sobolev

Strategic Partnerships Manager, Google Play
Google

Vincent Ghossoub

Co-Founder
Nifty Craft

Mario Rizzo

Co-Founder & CEO
Artisan Studios, Inc.

Mahmoud Zeidan

Director of BD (MENAT)
PlaySide Studios

Jobaidur Rahman

Founder & CEO
Consistency Core Services

Stanisław Fiedor

CBDO
Elympics

Stanislav Sychenkov

Senior Business Development, Eastern Europe
Unity

Kristina Frolova Lasenko

Founder
Activation Group

Peter Tolochkov

Founder
EvaAI

Shahrukh Zafar

Associate Producer
Ubisoft

Aleksandr Gaidash

Delivery Producer
Royal Ark

Sho Sato

CEO at LUDiMUS Inc, Chairperson of IGDA Incubation SIG

What to expect at WN Abu Dhabi'26

Download program*
*may be updated

UTC+4

On the Water – Space to Breathe, Time to Connect

Day 2 moves the WN experience out of conference rooms and onto the water. Instead of tight schedules and structured formats, you get open air, more freedom, and conversations that unfold at their own pace.

The goal is simple: give you the space to deepen connections, digest what you heard on Day 1, and leave Abu Dhabi with not just notes and action items, but actual relationships you want to keep.

10:00 - 12:00

Networking Coffee at the Hotel

Unhurried coffee and conversations: a chance to find familiar faces from Day 1, meet new people, and set intentions for the day in a relaxed setting.

12:00 - 13:00

Transfer from Hotel to Yachts

Group transfer to the marina, with plenty of time for informal chats and introductions as the city gives way to the water.

Group transfers to the marina depart at 12:00 sharp — please don't be late, as we want to ensure smooth timing for everyone.

13:00 - 14:00

Networking Lunch on the Yachts

Share lunch on deck while Abu Dhabi passes by. Seating is mixed to encourage cross-discipline and cross-region conversations in a setting that feels more like a private retreat than a business event.

Roundtables at Sea (One per Yacht)

Each yacht hosts an informal roundtable, focused on open, story-driven discussion rather than formal presentations. Expect honest talk about bets, mistakes, and next moves in an environment where it is easy to speak freely.

14:00 - 15:30
Roundtable Discussion

Why Some Great PC/Console Games Never Get Funded

A candid look at team mistakes and pitch flaws that stop quality games from getting funded.

Inna Gosteva
Digital Vortex
14:00 - 15:30
Roundtable Discussion

People Management Challenges in Gaming: Retention, Burnout, and Relocation

Participants will discuss ways to keep good teams together, burnout from crunch time, and relocation struggles for global talent.

Petr Frolov
Insajt Immigration & Accounting Services
16:00 - 17:00

Transfer Back to the Hotel

Return to the hotel with time to decompress, finish a conversation from the boat, or simply enjoy a quieter end to two days of intensive industry connection.

Speakers and program to be updated soon!

Indie Pitch Host & Jury

Inna Gosteva

CBDO
Digital Vortex

Kirill Gurskiy

Managing Director
GEM Capital

Sali Elagab

Value Creation & Strategy Associate
Shorooq

Roman Gurskiy

Managing Director
GEM Capital

Mikhail Petrov

Founder
New Edge

Stanisław Fiedor

CBDO
Elympics

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.


Networking area

Day 1: Roundtables, experience exchange

Day 2: On the Water

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
€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
€500
+VAT
1

Increase Brand Awareness and Lead Generation

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