Mark your calendars: we’re delighted to have experts from across our global studios speaking at Devcom this month on a range of topics including VR, Mobile UI/UX and Business Development.

Now in its 7th year, devcom is the official game developer event of Gamescom – the world’s largest video games event – which takes place in Cologne, Germany. Get the lowdown on the Sumo talks, what you can expect and where you can find them below:

[A still from Metal: Hellsinger VR – which is being brought to new life in VR by Lab42. Just one of the topics that will be explored during Devcom 2024]

STATE OF PLAY | LONG LIVE THE GAMES INDUSTRY

Kicking off Sumo’s sessions at the event is PixelAnt Games’ Studio Director Pavel Rohleder, who will be taking part in a panel about the current state of the games industry globally, how studios can foster a visionary approach for longevity, adaptability and to ensure the industry’s health for the future.

Expect to hear strategies to manage and reduce ballooning development costs, to understand the importance of long-term vision and strategic planning, and to gain insight into emerging trends and potential solutions to industry-wide challenges.

The Games Industry Is Dead, Long Live the Game Industry! is taking place on Monday 19th August at 1pm – 2.30pm (Central European Time) on Stage 13. More information can be found here: https://bizcommunity.gamescom.global/widget/event/devcom-developer-conference-2024/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMjAzNjYxNw==

FACING THE INTERFACE | CHALLENGES OF MOBILE UI/UX DESIGN

With the worldwide mobile games market expected to grow by 6.39% in the next three years and command almost a quarter of global gamers, it’s no wonder game developers are considering taking their titles to mobile. Luckily, Anett Jaschke – Lead UI/UX Artist at Atomhawk – will be bringing her knowledge of UI/UX Design for mobile to devcom.

In this session, Anett will dive into the key differences between UI/UX on PC and console VS mobile, the lessons developers can learn from each and what the future of UI/UX for mobile game development looks like.

You can catch Games at your Fingertips – Challenges of Mobile UI/UX Design on Monday 19th August at 3pm – 3.30pm (Central European Time) on Stage 3. More information can be found here: https://bizcommunity.gamescom.global/widget/event/devcom-developer-conference-2024/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMjAyMTkyNA==

360 EXPERIENCES | BRINGING GAMES TO VR

Looking to breathe new life into your game and bring it to a whole new audience? Hear from porting experts at Lab42 as they discuss taking a flat title to new worlds in Virtual Reality. Join Game Designer Benjamin Culff and Producer Ollie Cullen as they share their first-hand experience of porting beloved rhythm FPS game, Metal: Hellsinger, to VR.

Ben and Ollie will be discussing retaining the essence and identity of your IP when adapting it for VR , how to reimagine core gameplay and challenges developers might face when developing a multiplatform VR port.

Reimagining Your IP For Virtual Reality is happening on Monday 19th of August at 4.30pm – 5.30pm (Central European Time) on Stage 11. More information can be found here: https://bizcommunity.gamescom.global/widget/event/devcom-developer-conference-2024/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMjAzNjU3NQ==

TIME TO TALK | BUILDING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

To close the event, Business Development Manager at PixelAnt Games, Pavol Buday, will be talking about connections in the games industry. Whether it’s how to open doors, how to grow networks or just how to get a conversation started, this is the ultimate guide to how to build bonds that last.

Pavol will be demonstrating just how big the games industry is, and will explain the business development process sharing personal stories and his first-hand experience of making friends professionally. You’ll leave this talk with a new understanding of what it means to truly connect with other people, how to build bridges and a renewed sense of empathy and compassion.

Don’t miss Making Meaningful Connections (That Last) on Tuesday 20th August at 3pm – 4pm (Central European Time) on Stage 6. More information can be found here: https://bizcommunity.gamescom.global/widget/event/devcom-developer-conference-2024/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMjAyMTkwNg==

For more information about Devcom, visit the website.

Looking for an expert team to supercharge your game? See what Sumo Digital can do for you over on the Services Page.

Our Business Development team are headed to Gamescom this month and you can book in a chat by emailing BizDev@Sumogroupltd.com