The Hamburg Games Conference announced the speaker and partnership line-up for the 2021 edition which will run from March 16-17. Speakers include renowned game industry executives from Devolver, CD Projekt Red, Valve, Adobe, Electronic Arts, InnoGames and The Mix. The digital B2B conference has partnered with MeetToMatch for matchmaking in the business area, so attendees can watch conference talks, sessions and hang out at the bar afterwards, all in the comfort of their own browser.
With a focus on the topic of “Discoverability”, speakers at the Hamburg Games Conference include Joel Dreskin (The Mix) who will discuss visibility for indie developers and Robbie Paterson (Devolver) on ‘How to not be like Devolver Digital’. CD PROJEKT RED’s Carolin Wendt will present how to successfully manage game communities and Allan Cudicio (Twin Drums) session on “The Kickstarter Marathon of the Wagadu Chronicles”, will delve into tips and tricks when it comes to crowdfunding. Panels will include “How to Network Online”, Mental Health in the Home Office (with Electronic Arts, Adobe and InnoGames) and a Games Development Q&A with Steam’s business team.
Additional partnerships include the Federal Ministry of Digital Infrastructure who will focus on games funding opportunities (whilst showcasing IP from its funded teams in the Virtual Expo), the Goethe Institute whose Creative Ports games will be streamed by German streamers “Indiestrolche” and the Quartet of Game Culture feuilletonist event about video game culture.
The 2021 edition aims to help developers and publishers to find new ways to discover and engage with their audiences in a world without physical events, but with more distribution models, online platforms and stores than ever before. Networking and making new connections are an essential part of the games industry and in a world where citizens are unable to travel beyond borders, the Hamburg Games Conference 2021 employs the most advanced digital framework for its B2B Virtual Multiplayer Conference.
“In a world on hold with the Covid-19 pandemic, the biggest challenge for games developers and publishers is to discover new ways to find and build a consumer audience for their IP”, said Dennis Schoubye, Project Lead Gamecity Hamburg. ”Whether you are a student, a founder of a gaming start-up or a seasoned games industry executive, our first B2B Virtual Multiplayer Conference will offer the perfect platform to do business within the games industry”.
The Hamburg Games Conference Business Area in association with MeetToMatch and Xsolla, will allow developers and publishers to discover their perfect partner via a virtual showcase with video calls inside the browser. Studios can showcase their upcoming games through the Virtual Expo to hundreds of B2B partners. Attendees can create a virtual avatar and explore the Expo through their browser. In association with Creative Ports and the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the Start-Up Day will deliver a full day’s program specifically for start-ups and fledgling game studios featuring talks, panels and networking.
