Games Gathering 2021 Kiev — gamedev conference report

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Given that coronavirus continues to be a pressing issue, the organizers decided to hold Games Gathering 2021 in Kyiv in a hybrid format. On November 30 and December 1, online lectures were held on the Pine platform, where participants could get all the necessary information about the speakers and events. The platform also provided the opportunity to schedule meetings in advance and meet interesting people. A private party for speakers and business ticket holders was held on December 3rd. The main conference took place on December 4th and 5th at the Kyiv International Exhibition Center, marking the culmination of the event. Despite the emphasis on the offline format, the online component of the Games Gathering conference received significant attention. The lectures presented during the event were highly engaging and informative. The presentations were organized into several categories, covering a wide range of topics: from business solutions for game development and promotion to analytical perspectives on the current state of the gaming market. Aspects of game design, art direction, and the entire game production process were also covered. Participants were offered valuable advice that will be useful for both aspiring developers and indie studios. In addition, the program included a virtual party, which added a special charm to the entire event.

The lectures were led by experts in game development and related fields. Andrey Kosinsky, Senior AI Developer at 4A Games, creators of Metro Exodus, spoke about the fundamentals of battle design and the importance of constructing them correctly. Anton Ravin, Commercial Director at 1C Publishing, shared the nuances of deals with publishers. Valery Orlov, Senior Concept Artist at Ubisoft, discussed the necessary skills for successfully entering the art departments of large game development studios. These are just a few examples, as the lectures followed one after another with only a lunch break. Throughout the day, there were approximately 30 presentations on various topics, including representatives of such well-known companies as Riot Games and Google. This event was an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge in the gaming industry, which is especially important for professionals and beginners seeking to advance in game development.

The section dedicated to indie games is particularly noteworthy. Here, you can not only explore original projects but also chat with their developers to learn the stories behind their creation. This section features a wide variety of interesting games. One striking example is KOBOLOK, which reimagines the classic Kolobok story in a horror format, made in the style of the first PlayStation.

The main event of Games Gathering 2021 in Kyiv began on December 4 at 10:00 AM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, participation in the conference was only possible with a vaccination certificate. Nevertheless, this didn't stop several thousand people interested in video game development from gathering at the IEC. Many participants came cosplaying their favorite game characters, which created an atmosphere of true celebration and inspiration for developers and fans of the gaming industry.

Games Gathering 2021 in Kyiv featured approximately 50 different booths and locations, offering exciting opportunities for all participants. Developers had the chance to exchange experiences and find job openings or projects at company booths, while investors explored promising indie games. Visitors could participate in exciting contests, including carving a caramel fish figurine in the style of "Squid Games." This event became an excellent platform for communication, exchanging ideas, and getting acquainted with new gaming projects.

At the Games Gathering 2021 event, attendees had the chance to win valuable prizes from sponsors, including an Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and several Nintendo Switches. Even if luck wasn't on their side, attendees had the opportunity to earn gifts to suit all tastes by completing small challenges at the booths. Each attendee received a unique bag containing a selection of souvenirs and information about the studios present at the show.

Wargaming's booth stood out at the exhibition thanks to its display of a real T-34-85 tank. Visitors had the unique opportunity to win a test drive of this legendary combat vehicle. In addition, Wargaming representatives shared information about their future projects on the Unreal Engine, discussed the role of artificial intelligence in video games, and maintained interesting conversations about modern interactive entertainment.

The lectures continued to be held in an offline format, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the educational process. Four lectures were held simultaneously in each hall, making it impossible to attend all events. However, the presentations covered key industry topics, from idea generation to project performance evaluation. This diversity of topics allowed participants to gain extensive knowledge and new skills necessary for successful practice in the industry.

At Games Gathering 2021, the main star of the event was David Mullich, an experienced gaming industry professional who led the development of such iconic games as Heroes of Might and Magic 3 and I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. During his lecture, he shared fascinating details about the creation of Heroes of Might and Magic 3, which generated great interest among the audience. After the lecture, participants had a unique opportunity to take a photo with David Mullich, get his autograph, and discuss his creative path and the specifics of developing popular games.

In a separate indie developer zone, sponsored by Epic Games, visitors had the unique opportunity to interact with game developers and learn about their projects directly from the creators. This experience is inspiring, as it allows not only to explore game demos but also to receive detailed explanations of the concept, mechanics, and development process. This approach fosters deep interaction between developers and players, which is especially important for the indie sector.

For two days, the atmosphere of game development reigned at the Kyiv International Exhibition Center. The unique combination of events and activities created an incredible density of events, and only the most active participants were able to see everything and try every new product. Games Gathering 2021 Kiev concluded with a gala awards ceremony for the best indie projects and the announcement of the next event, Games Gathering 2022 Odessa, which will take place in six months.

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During the lecture "How to Create Your Own Game Studio from Scratch," the head of tinyBuild publishing asked the audience to raise their hands if they were developing their own game. Almost everyone in the hall, which seats over a hundred people, responded. This demonstrates that the game development industry is becoming increasingly popular and is actively penetrating people's lives.

Events like Games Gathering play a key role in developing professional networks and exchanging ideas. Even as remote work becomes more commonplace, the opportunity to meet like-minded people and discuss common interests remains vital. Face-to-face interactions can inspire the creation of a successful project that can attract an international audience, making such meetings especially valuable.

Be sure to check out the additional resources.

• Innovation in Game Design: How Yoko Taro Creates Games that Break the Barriers
• Politics and Propaganda in Video Games How Metro and Minecraft Attracted the Attention of Politicians
• A Year Since the Release of Cyberpunk 2077: From a Loud Scandal to Positive Reviews on Steam