2025 Conference Programme

Housemarque was one of the companies taking advantage of the beginning of the rise of PC gaming and started developing games in 1995. This talk is discussing how different the times are now compared to three decades ago from a small game studio perspective. Comparing the times when the company was started to now being one of the PlayStation Studios gives a unique perspective on how the games industry has changed over the years.

The talk is for everyone interested in game studio development.

Session Takeaway

• How game studio growth impacts strategy, culture, and opportunities over time
• Key lessons from Housemarque's evolution from indie beginnings to AAA development
• Practical insights on balancing product development with company growth and sustainability

Ilari Kuittinen
Housemarque

Whilst AI has been used in game development for years, AI has been in the public spotlight for the last couple of years in response to the evolution of the technology following the introduction of publicly available Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT. This has driven increased scrutiny from regulators, strikes by actors concerned that AI could threaten their livelihood, questions over diversity and inclusion caused by biased training datasets and various court cases being filed for IP infringement claims.

This session will look at these issues and suggest how the games industry can use AI to make great games to improve consumer experiences, whilst ensuring that it is using AI responsibly and ethically.

Session Takeaway

• The ethical issues a studio needs to consider when deciding how and where to use AI in game development
• Examples of positive and controversial uses of AI in game development
• Ethical design principles that can be adopted when using AI
• Practical pointers on how to use AI ethically

Jonty Cowan
Wiggin

Bridging the gap between the expectations and the reality of management in game development. This session delves into the major mistakes leaders often make and the crucial takeaways that can turn those mistakes into successes. Gain insights on navigating the complex landscape of game development management and learn strategies to enhance your leadership skills and drive your team towards success.

Session Takeaway

• Attendees will be able to calibrate themselves and their leaders
• They will be inspired to lead teams by preventing micromanagement, fostering creativity, and creating sustainable work environments
• The session will also cover effective communication, building trust, and leadership growth strategies to drive innovation and empower teams

Liudmila Siachko
Wargaming

Co-development; it’s not just outsourcing—it’s a partnership. In this talk, Alix Taylor-Searle, AAA co-development producer, will break down what makes co-dev successful, from building trust with clients to aligning goals and delivering on expectations. Drawing from her real-world experiences on Sea of Thieves and beyond, she will explore the essential producer mindset, practical processes, and key communication strategies that turn external teams into trusted collaborators.

Whether you’re new to co-dev or looking to refine your approach, this session will give you actionable insights to help your team thrive in a shared development space.

Session Takeaway

• Practical tips on how to build trust with a co-dev client through good communication, shared vision and evidence of work
• Understand how to effectively manage scope creep when working with co-dev clients
• Best practice for maintaining long-term relationships with co-dev clients

Alix Taylor-Searle
Third Kind Games

Everyone is saying it: the global games industry is in a tough spot. Raising money for game development is more challenging than ever. And yet, opportunities remain. Deals continue to be done.

Fresh from raising nearly £130 million in December – Europe’s largest gaming fundraise in 2024, second only to the Epic-Disney mega-deal globally – Aonic hasn’t slowed down with its investments in games companies. In January, it invested £8 million+ in Turkish studio Mega Fortuna, with an option to acquire for nearly £60 million.

In this panel, Aonic co-founder and Chief Product Officer Olliver Heins will reveal what investors are looking for when injecting cash into games studios, the process of actually making such investments and what founding companies can expect from it all. He will be joined by a range of fellow experts in the gaming investment space, whether from the perspective of those investing in studios, studios receiving investment, publishers offering funding on a project basis, or similar.

Space will be given for the attendees to ask questions of the panel, with candid answers given to help demystify the investment process.

Session Takeaway

• What: As a games studio in 2025, what are the avenues for investment?
• How: Advice from investor and developer side on standing out as a worthy investment
• Why: The key reasons why investments are worth pursuing (and why, in some cases, they might not be)

Olliver Heins
Aonic

A case study of The Werewolf Experience a restricted 6DoF interactive branching narrative VR piece where players have to use their own voice to howl like a wolf to trigger the branches in the story. It played Cannes and was the top attraction at the NEUU Space in Tokyo for three months. We will also look at the long-tail of the experience as it continues to monetize through VR arcades, site-specific events, and home release. We will also look at why Narrative VR is the next big thing as LBE shooting events become more and more passé.

Session Takeaway

• Options for monetization of VR games and narratives and who to contact (and why)
• Key overview of current VR ecosystem
• Why and what interactions work for VR pieces and how to counter problems

Christopher Morrison
Reality+, LLC

How piracy groups operate (group structures, processes, servers, crack-tools) and how I know. Why preventing cracked pre-release and release-day builds is protecting revenue, growth, investor confidence, industry reputation and the valuation of games. Performance loss because of anti-piracy tech. Temporary ownership of games because of anti-piracy tech. How to create your own anti-piracy tech.

Session Takeaway

• Understanding piracy
• How to avoid common mistakes when making your own anti-piracy solution
• How to create your own anti-piracy solution without reverse engineering experience

Anonymous
Roosens

The UK games industry thrives on creativity, innovation, and diverse perspectives. Raise the Game is the industry’s leading initiative driving progress in equality, diversity, and inclusion. Attendees will gain insights into the new Raise the Game Fund, which will now provide direct support to individuals and organisations championing EDI initiatives. They will also learn about the Video Games Industry Census, which establishes an evidence-based approach to tracking diversity, and the Raise the Game Community, which enables peer learning and best practice sharing. This session will outline actionable strategies for businesses of all sizes to implement meaningful change.

Session Takeaway

• Understanding the importance of structured EDI initiatives
• Practical steps for accessing Raise the Game funding and resources
• How data and community-driven collaboration can create lasting impact

Samantha Ebelthite
Amplified Games

The games industry is in upheaval. Studio closures and layoffs are at an all-time high, creating existential challenges for individuals, communities, and companies. Meanwhile, the climate crisis threatens to upend ecosystems and economies alike. Now more than ever, we must rethink how we balance business priorities with planetary care. Economics has largely been reduced to the pursuit of profit, chasing short term gains. The result? A vicious rat race that leaves behind the core principle of managing and caring for our shared home. This principle is the original meaning behind the word economics.

In this talk, Jennifer Estaris explores how integrating sustainability into game development can drive both creative innovation and measurable business success.

She will share lessons from award-winning, mass-reaching games, highlighting Playing for the Planet’s Green Game Jam, with deep dives into the liveops activations of Subway Surfers, Love & Pies, and Monument Valley 2 & 3. The talk will also examine innovative jams like the IGDA Climate SIG Microjams and the recent Citizens Assembly Game Jam, as well as the critical role of energy efficiency in reducing costs and emissions.

In a saturated market where player attention is a scarce commodity, innovation is essential for long-term success. This session will equip attendees with actionable insights on leveraging sustainability and impact strategies to enhance engagement, boost KPIs, and most importantly, create games that resonate deeply, engaging hearts and minds for years to come.

Session Takeaway

• Practical strategies to make a compelling business case for sustainable design, whether from a big company or an indie studio
• Examples of creative approaches that align environmental stewardship with profitability
• Use-cases that can inspire approaches to reinvigorate the player community, making a positive impact with players and the world
• Insights into how initiatives like Playing for the Planet and the IGDA Climate SIG can amplify your efforts

Jennifer Estaris
ustwo games

In today’s remote and hybrid work environments, fostering meaningful connections and improving team dynamics can be a challenge. This session delves into how gamification and behavioural insights can offer fresh solutions for modern team building. Explore practical methods, real-world examples, and innovative ideas to inspire engagement, strengthen collaboration, and boost morale across distributed teams.

Perfect for anyone looking to rethink team building with creativity and technology at its core.

Session Takeaway

• Practical strategies to integrate gamification into team-building initiatives
• Insights on leveraging behavioural science to enhance team dynamics
• Tips for creating scalable, inclusive solutions for remote teams

Chiara Santevecchi
Teem Camp

Neurodiverse individuals bring exceptional strength, creativity, hyperfocus, attention to detail, and resilience—that can transform teams and foster innovation. However, these unique talents often go unrecognized or underutilized due to a lack of understanding about neurodiversity and its impact on team dynamics. 

In this session, we’ll explore the unique strengths of neurodiverse individuals contribute to the gaming industry, supported by actionable insights. From creativity that drives innovative game design to hyperfocus that ensures precise execution, attendees will gain a deep appreciation for the value of neurodiverse minds. We’ll also address practical strategies for fostering inclusion and creating supportive team environments. Topics include tailoring workflows, using technology to improve communication and accessibility, and providing meaningful accommodations that empower neurodiverse team members to thrive. We’ll highlight how to overcome biases, build psychological safety, and foster a culture of trust and collaboration.

Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways, including steps to start open conversations about neurodiversity, strategies for developing inclusive hiring practices, and tools to support team members’ unique needs. By embracing neurodiversity, you’ll not only drive innovation and creativity but also build stronger, more inclusive teams that set your studio apart in a competitive industry.

This session is for anyone this session is for everyone, from the curious to the already passionate about creating inclusive, and high-performing teams—no prior knowledge of neurodiversity required. Let’s unlock the extraordinary potential of neurodiverse talent together.

Session Takeaway

• Neurodiversity as a Strength:
  Neurodiverse individuals bring unique problem-solving, creativity, and perspectives that drive innovation
  Recognizing these "superpowers" enhances team performance
  

• Inclusive Environments Lead to Success:
  Flexible accommodations and open communication foster well-being and productivity
  Mental health awareness benefits the entire team
  

• Personalized Approaches Build Stronger Teams:
  Adapting to individual needs creates a culture of trust and collaboration
  Embracing diversity ensures long-term team success.

Katherine Mould
Keywords Studios

Using my experience of running IndieBI, Robot Teddy, and Uwu Biz, I will be taking the audience through all the ways you are likely leaving money on the table. You might have 1 title that's doing pretty well, or a large collection of back catalogue titles – it will be relevant to anyone already selling videogames. From things as simple as changing your pricing in Poland, to going through each platform's specific discount cool-down rules, to random acts of business development you might not know about, you will leave the session with information you can immediately act upon to increase your revenue, without sacrificing your long-term prospects.

My teams are directly responsible for managing 100s of millions of dollars of revenue a year, all from independent (not AAA) companies. I'll be able to share our strategies, dive into research that we haven't shared before, and showing you that with a little bit of effort on the less exciting parts of running a company, you can seriously boost your revenue and protect your studio’s future.

Session Takeaway

• Simple ways to increase revenue on all platforms, without sacrificing brand power
• Information about where you can sell your game that might not be obvious to you
• How to secure your studio’s stability by spending time gardening your portfolio of titles

Callum Underwood
IndieBI / Uwu Biz