Bridging the Gap Between Gaming and Business
The Hamburg Games Conference (HGC) 2024 successfully concluded, marking its 15th iteration with a notable assembly of international participants. Spanning over March 5 and 6, the conference hosted approximately 365 trade visitors and 42 speakers representing 255 companies, illustrating the event’s significance within the global games industry. Situated in the historic Altonaer Museum, the HGC facilitated a platform for industry professionals to deliberate on the prevailing circumstances and forecast the future direction of the gaming sector.
Key Highlights and Initiatives
The opening of the conference was graced by Hamburg’s First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher, who also engaged in a tour to better understand the challenges presently confronting the games industry. The agenda encompassed 17 talks, 5 panel discussions, and several specialized sessions including a workshop on funding challenges in Europe and a roundtable on artificial intelligence use cases within the gaming and entertainment industries. An intriguing Indie Arena Booth Pitch Royal was also part of the program.
Exhibitions in the Expo Area featured 20 games companies and service providers such as Alibaba Cloud, Giants Software, and Reactional Music, alongside various indie studios, offering ample networking opportunities facilitated through the MeetToMatch platform with over 470 meetings and an exclusive get-together event.
Under the theme “Gaming meets Business,” discussions spanned investments and licensing, current M&A trends, AI and technological innovations in game development, and best practice case studies, reflecting the industry’s dynamism and the conference’s role as a crucible for innovation and collaboration.
The conference also spotlighted the “Opportunity Ticket” campaign, sponsored by industry partners including Plitch, InnoGames, and Immutable, among others. This initiative extended free tickets to 70 individuals affected by recent layoffs, supporting their integration into new opportunities within the industry.
Industry Support and International Presence
The support from Hamburg-based companies and various sponsors underscored the collaborative spirit defining the HGC 2024. Advisory Board members and sponsors from Alibaba Cloud to Québec showcased the extensive backing that fuels the conference’s success.
Renowned speakers from companies such as Remedy Entertainment, The Sandbox, and Animoca Brands, among others, contributed their insights, further enriching the conference’s content and providing valuable perspectives to attendees.
The Hamburg Games Conference as an Industry Staple
The HGC 2024 has once again affirmed its position as a key event in the games industry calendar, bridging the realms of gaming and business. With its comprehensive program and the evident need for industry exchange, the conference continues to foster new collaborations and underline Hamburg’s status as a pivotal location for the gaming industry. Through initiatives like the Opportunity Ticket campaign, the HGC also demonstrates a commitment to supporting talent within the sector, ensuring the continued growth and dynamism of the games industry.
