devcom Developer Conference 2024 Announces New Speakers and Program Highlights

– devcom aims for 250+ speakers, latest highlights include Jason Latino from Larian Studios, Mihir Sheth from SIE Santa Monica Studio, Meghna Jayanth and more –

– First side-event program for #ddc2024 revealed, including new Networking dinner location and VIP & Business   Mixer –

– The Community Clubhouse learning and networking hub will take place at #ddc2024 –

The devcom Developer Conference 2024 is just one week away. Aiming for a full program with 250+ speakers and approximately 200 sessions across 15 stages, the conference is set to break new content records. #ddc2024 will start on Sunday, August 18, with the renowned Networking Dinner and will open its doors to conference attendees from August 19-20 at the new Confex Conference Center at the Koelnmesse.

Numerous representatives from the games industry will come together to exchange ideas and network ahead of gamescom. The conference will be a genuinely hybrid experience, with all sessions, exhibitions, participant profiles, and matchmaking options accessible simultaneously on site and online.

The program features sessions on 18 topics across all aspects of game development, with new additions such as Artificial Intelligence, Multiplayer, and VR & XR.

Latest session announcements include:

Chaos Menu or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Hug the Bear

Jason Latino | Cinematic Director at Larian Studios

• Not all the glitter is on the golden path. Join Baldur’s Gate 3 Cinematic Director, Jason Latino, as he reflects on some of the game’s biggest successes that he was dead wrong about and the conventional wisdom his team had to discard in order to give Larian Studio’s latest adventure its close-up.

Going to Valhalla in „God of War”

Mihir Sheth | Game Director at SIE Santa Monica Studio

• Join Mihir Sheth, the game’s co-Game Director, as he uncovers the story and strategy behind the opportunities, risks, challenges and rewarding outcomes that were met along the way when developing this surprise free DLC to one of Sony’s largest franchises in God of War.

Head Over Feels: Creating Complex Romances in Games

Narrative Panel | Adrienne Law (Larian Studios), Helen Hindpere (Disco Elysium), Meghna Jayanth (Sable, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Sunless Sea, Boyfriend Dungeon, This War of Mine); Host: Sarah Makdad (A Plague Tale: Innocence, World War Z, WHAT THE GOLF?)

• This panel is aimed at both aspiring and established Game Devs looking to create meaningful and compelling romances for their projects.

Finding your Apple Pie: How to rally a Team behind a Vision

Stéphane Roy | Former Vice President & Studio Head at WB Games Montreal

• Drawing from his 25 years of experience in the video game industry as a producer and then studio head, Stéphane Roy shares his observations and recipe for minimizing the risks of miscommunication within development teams.

Who Owns Cyberspace?

Thorolfur Beck Kristjonsson | Game Designer/Principle World Builder Speakers at NARC Limited

• A journey through the evolution of online worlds, from the MUDs of the early 80’s to modern-day MMOs, exploring how so-called virtual goods are as real as material ones in every sense of the word. The talk will demonstrate how in-game assets in online worlds can create personal wealth and contribute the identical values to nations’ GDP as physical ones do.

Side-Event Program to Complement the Conference

Every year, attendees and partners eagerly anticipate the extensive networking and matchmaking opportunities that are held alongside the devcom Developer Conference.

For the first time, Community Clubhouse, established in early 2023 by industry veterans to foster dialogue on Player Experience, Community Management, and Trust & Safety at prominent gaming conferences, is partnering with devcom to present a full day of programming on Tuesday, August 20. The event will feature dedicated stages, and the complete agenda will be announced at the beginning of August.

The Speaker & VIP Networking Dinner including the devcom Indie Awards on Sunday 18th August will be held at the Wolkenburg, a former monastery in the centre of Cologne, promising a unique and memorable event kick-off for all participants. In response to attendee requests, the event team has added a new matchmaking opportunity to the program for Business & VIP Pass holders with a Mixer, focusing on networking during the first conference day. A staple in the side-event program, the Run Club will once again take place every morning before the sessions. The conference days will conclude with the Sunset Mixer Party on Monday and the Developer Night & Courage Cologne on Tuesday.

Additional services for on-site conference attendees will include free water refill stations to stay hydrated, access to the Business Lounge with light catering for Business Pass holders, and the Speakers & VIP Lounge. #ddc2024 will also feature a Silence Room for attendees to take a break from sensory overload or simply catch their breath outside crowded spaces. The on-site Awareness Team will be available in this area and throughout the venue, ensuring they are approachable and ready to assist.

More speakers that have been added to the program:

Sasha Ciolac & Bert Zierfuss (IO Interactive)

Donald Barrett, Matthew Strasser, Terrance Cohen, Brittney Morris (Insomniac Games)

Moritz Lehr (CD Projekt RED)

Hytham Morsi, Osama Dorias & Caleb Epps (Brass Lion Entertainment)

Daniel Wewerinke, Wessel Mast (Guerilla)

Nickole Li (Mojang Studios)

Erwin Kho, Mikkel Svendsen (Geometric Interactive)

Philomena Schwab (Stray Fawn Studio)

Nina Kim (Rare Ltd.)

Alexandra Lia Grindean (Avalanche Studios)

Direct links for devcom Developer Conference:

All previously published information #ddc2024: https://www.devcom.global/ddc-2024

Ticket prices will increase on July 31: https://www.devcom.global/tickets

Link to the #ddc2024 Program: https://www.devcom.global/ddc-2024/program/

Link to the #ddc2024 Side-Events: https://www.devcom.global/ddc-2024/side-events/

Further information on the new Confex Center: https://koelncongress.de/en/locations/confex/

About devcom

devcom is host of the official developer conference of gamescom (devcom Developer Conference) and Europe’s largest community-based event for games industry professionals. Throughout the year, devcom provides content, events and services tailored to the games industry based on its core values of diversity, inclusion and sustainability.

devcom Developer Conference #ddc2024 will take place on August 18-20 (Sunday to Tuesday) at the Confex on Koelnmesse fairgrounds in Cologne, followed by a presence at gamescom from August 21-23.

devcom Developer Conference and all devcom branded formats are developed & organized by game events GmbH, a subsidiary of game – Verband der deutschen Gamesbranche (the German Games Industry Association and owner of the gamescom & devcom brand).