DevGAMM 2021 Results: Offline for the First Time in a Year and a Half

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The conference took place at the Radisson Slavyanskaya Hotel, and Pine served as a platform for operational communication. Participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the schedule, schedule meetings with interested individuals, plan their time, and learn about DevGAMM events. Visitors had access to:

• Showcase with the opportunity to present their game at a booth.
• Career wall with career offers from game development companies.
• Quest, which gave 373 participants the chance to win one of 30 prizes. Among them were a PS5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch, a classic NES console, and an Apple Watch.
• Expo - booths of large companies and publishers.
• Round tables - closed discussions for groups of up to 10 people.
• Game Garage - mini-consultations lasting 25 minutes with game development industry experts.
• Game Roast - already legendary humorous, but extremely useful show. What happens when you take five games, five developers, five gamedev experts, and mix them with alcohol?
• Parties that allowed you to light up after business networking over a glass of sparkling wine.

Over two days, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the event's program was rich and clearly structured. Participants were treated to 38 lectures delivered by leading gaming industry experts. The lecture topics covered various aspects and segments, allowing for a deeper dive into current issues and trends.

• business and management;
• analytics and marketing;
• indie;
• technology and development;
• game design and storytelling;
• MIX (discussion of several topics at once);
• art and visuals in games.

Speakers at the event included:

• Viktor Savyuk, founder of the Dendy trademark;
• Yuri Trufonov, CTO of Playrix;
• Vera Velichko, CEO of Owl Studio;
• Anton Pavlov, producer of tinyBuild;
• and others.

The autumn DevGAMM discussed current topics, including UX testing of video games, indie development, investments and analytics. All presented presentations will be available for viewing in two months on the event's official YouTube channel. This is an excellent opportunity for developers and gamers to learn about new trends and ideas in the video game industry.

At the conference, a particularly engaging discussion with Viktor Savyuk evoked nostalgic memories of the iconic gaming console. A passionate talk by 1C Game Studios creative producer Albert Zhiltsov about the intricacies of his profession also captivated the audience. A unique presentation by Hive founder and producer Anton Volkov required a redesign of the main stage, adding to the dynamic atmosphere of the event.

Representatives of Unreal Engine technology once again served as the conference's general sponsor. Over the course of two days, developers presented more than 20 projects created using the Unreal Engine 4 engine at 12 branded stands. These projects demonstrated a wide range of platform capabilities and attracted the attention of event participants.

The conference received support from companies such as Playrix, Green Gray, MyTona, tinyBuild, Xsolla, VK, My.Games, and many other leading players in the game development industry. These organizations are actively involved in the development and promotion of new technologies and trends in gaming, underscoring the importance of the event for industry professionals.

Nearly 80 different projects were presented at the showcase, including new exclusive announcements. Russian studio Ice-Pick Lodge presented the debut gameplay trailer for the adventure game "Remember." This video was specially created for the DevGAMM 2021 event. The game is expected to be released in the second half of 2021. In addition, the team is working on two other projects: "Neuro Fairytale" and "Franz." The first game offers a unique take on the classic evolution genre through the lens of bio-horror, while the second is a personal project of creative director Nikolai Dybovsky, known for his work on the games "Pathologic" and "Turgor."

One Day More, a game from Watt Studio, was presented at DevGAMM 2021. The game tells the story of a young woman named Hannah's journey as she strives to overcome her inner demons. This game immerses players in a deep psychological atmosphere, exploring themes of self-acceptance and personal growth. One Day More offers a unique gaming experience based on the character's emotional development and struggle with internal conflicts.

The first offline DevGAMM is significantly different from the online format. Live communication, exchange of ideas and knowledge create a unique atmosphere conducive to immersion in the world of the game development industry. Representatives of Watt Studio emphasized the importance of face-to-face meetings for establishing contacts and exchanging experiences in this field. This event provides participants with the opportunity not only to discuss current trends but also to establish important connections, which is key to career development in the gaming industry.

A representative of AppQuantum, a company specializing in publishing mobile games, shared his impressions of the conference. He noted the significance of the event for the industry and emphasized the relevance of the topics discussed. Participation in the conference provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and establish contacts with other professionals in the field of mobile gaming.

The PR manager at AppQuantum is responsible for strategic public relations management and brand promotion in the market. Primary responsibilities include developing and implementing PR campaigns, interacting with media and bloggers, and creating content that highlights the uniqueness and value of the company's products. The PR manager also analyzes the effectiveness of communications strategies and maintains the corporate image, ensuring a positive perception of the company among the target audience. Essential skills for this role include excellent communication skills, creativity, and teamwork. Working at AppQuantum, the PR manager helps strengthen the company's position in the market and build customer trust.

DevGAMM was very busy, with many useful meetings and practically no free time. I plan to review the recordings of the presentations. Over the two days, at our booth, we met and talked with dozens of professionals from development, art, game design, and other fields, both those already working in the gaming industry and those just planning to enter it. The AppQuantum booth attracted a lot of attention; various studios approached us with offers for publishing and co-development. Our producer, Lena Bugakova, shared insights at the roundtable discussion "New Trends in Mobile Game Operations." We accumulated a wealth of information for presentations over 2020–2021. The joy of returning to in-person events was palpable at the conference. People have missed face-to-face interaction, and the opportunity to meet so many familiar faces over two days was incredibly rewarding. We will definitely be back.

Daria Vasilevskaya, Marketing and PR Manager at Adsup LLC, an agency specializing in mobile app and game promotion, shared her impressions of the event. She noted the importance of such events for sharing experiences and gaining new knowledge in mobile marketing, and also emphasized the importance of networking for successful product promotion in the modern digital space. In a rapidly changing market, such events allow professionals to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to new trends.

The Marketing and PR Manager at Adsup LLC is responsible for strategic planning and implementation of marketing and PR campaigns. The main objective is to increase brand awareness and attract the target audience. Responsibilities include market analysis, content development, media relations, and corporate reputation management. An effective manager must possess excellent communication skills, creative thinking, and an ability to analyze data. Working at Adsup LLC provides unique opportunities for professional growth and development in marketing and PR.

The DevGAMM conference was held in accordance with the best traditions of the gaming industry. Attendees had the opportunity to meet not only familiar experts but also representatives of young, developing companies. Such events facilitate networking, finding new clients and partners, and creating successful joint projects. We encourage you to actively participate in the roundtable discussions—this is an excellent way to exchange experiences, which plays a key role in our industry. We expect even more new participants at the next DevGAMM conference, which will only strengthen our community.

The Unreal Engine booth featured the project "Bright Lights of Svetlov", developed by Vladimir Cholokyan. Despite this, this project is being developed by one person, and the game looks quite impressive. The title belongs to the quest genre with elements of a walking simulator. The plot centers on the story of an ordinary Russian family that disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The player will explore the atmosphere of an ordinary apartment in a multi-story building in the city of Svetlov and solve a complex case by solving various puzzles. Vladimir participated in the DevGAMM conference for the first time and shared his positive impressions of the event, which emphasizes his desire to develop the project and exchange experiences with other developers.

The developer of Bright Lights of Svetlov specializes in creating high-quality software and innovative lighting solutions. Our team focuses on developing unique products that improve quality of life and ensure efficient use of resources. We strive to implement cutting-edge lighting technologies to offer our customers reliable and energy-efficient solutions. Bright Lights of Svetlov actively develops projects that meet modern market demands and user needs, while providing a high level of service and support. Our goal is to become a leader in lighting development, offering our customers only the best products and solutions.

I participated in DevGAMM for the first time and was initially hesitant due to the specifics of my project. Gameplay-based games allow you to quickly grasp the basic mechanics simply by picking up a gamepad, while story-driven quests require deep immersion, which is difficult to appreciate in a short period of time. However, my concerns were unfounded. Many people gathered at the booth, actively playing and sharing their comments. The average playtime was higher, with some participants spending up to half an hour playing. I practically never left my table throughout the showcase and constantly interacted with attendees. Showcasing a project you've been working on for a long time can be challenging, especially when you see someone getting lost or struggling with the game. However, the showcase was a valuable experience for me, allowing me to better understand how my project is perceived by the audience.

It was crucial for the participants to express their suggestions for improving the gameplay. Some discussions escalated into serious genre debates. I won't be making any significant changes to the game, as the release is scheduled for the near future. However, I have compiled an impressive list of minor tweaks that will help improve the final version of the game.

Overall, I wasn't expecting anything special and wasn't planning any significant events. I wasn't interested in seeking investment, and my project turned out to be too niche for publishers. Furthermore, it's important to experience the entire process firsthand at least once. I also anticipated more media coverage, including from the press and streamers, as this could significantly help my project. Overall, the event was well-organized. The only negative aspect was the long line for the pre-party, which initially confused me. However, the free drinks and snacks made up for it considerably.

Along with many interesting projects, I also made new acquaintances with teams from large companies. For example, Wargaming recently announced the opening of a new studio in Moscow, called Wargaming RED. This studio's first project will be a yet-to-be-announced cross-platform title developed in Unreal Engine 4. At the conference, attendees had the opportunity to meet the new team, complete quests, and receive unique souvenirs. This event provided an excellent platform for sharing experiences and learning about new developments in the gaming industry.

The name Wargaming RED fully reflects the studio's goals: it stands for Research, Experiment, Develop. Our office is focused on creating a new cross-platform online game and will become a regional center of expertise in development for PC, as well as console and mobile platforms. Over the next three years, we plan to grow our team to 250 people. We are currently looking for developers specializing in C++ and Java to strengthen our team and achieve our goals.

If you weren't able to attend the exhibition and learn about opportunities to join a new studio, you can view the list of openings here. DevGAMM attendees had the opportunity to view 210 job postings from leading game development studios at the careers booth. Don't miss your chance to find an interesting job in the gaming industry.

Seats at 15 round tables were quickly taken. The meetings were divided into three tracks, discussing key issues facing technical specialists, the future of the MMO genre, outsourced game design, and other relevant topics. Experts from Ciliz::W4, Owl Studio, AppQuantum, devtodev, Pixonic, and other well-known companies served as moderators. These discussions facilitated the exchange of experiences and ideas, which is crucial for the development of the gaming industry.

Games Garage, a new initiative from DevGAMM, generated significant interest and engagement among participants. The event was organized by Ravenage. Over 150 individual consultations were held within a single day at Games Garage with representatives from companies such as Wargaming, Fat Pony, Belka Games, Azur Games, and Borscht. Furthermore, 940 official meetings between participants were registered at the conference. This underlines the high level of interaction and interest in the video game industry.

The beloved Game Roast is back, where games were judged by Slava Lukyanenko, Maxim Fomichev, Azamat Baizulaev and Mikhail Chuprakov. Alex Nichiporchik rightfully received the crown for the most active participation at the conference. After a close battle, EDBG developer and founder Alexander Chertilin emerged victorious, taking home a frying pan autographed by the experts. Game Roast continues to attract gamers and developers, remaining an important platform for discussing new products and trends in the gaming industry.

The traditional DevGAMM Awards were unable to delight attendees of the in-person event this year. However, everyone has the opportunity to present their game at the DevGAMM Awards Fall 2021 ceremony, which will be held online. Developers will be able to compete for a $40,000 prize pool. Nine nominations offer a prize starting at $4,000 for the winner. These nominations include:

• Grand Prize — $4,500 (the main prize of the competition);
• "Best Game Design" — $4,500 (judged by game designers);
• "Best Visuals" — $4,500 (judged by artists);
• "Best Audio Design" — $4,500 (judged by audio designers);
• "Best Narrative" — $4,500 (judged by writers);
• "Best Indie Game" — $4,500 (nominated for indie games);
• "Best PC Game" — $4,500 (online and single-player PC games);
• "Best Mobile Game" — $4,500 (nominated only for mobile games);
• "Best Student Game" — $4,000 (student games only) projects).

All award nominees will receive additional prizes from sponsor Xsolla, as well as the opportunity to win unique privileges in the special "Xsolla Choice" category. This opens new horizons for participants and creates additional incentives for success in their fields.

You can upload your game to the competition until October 1st. The nominees will be announced on November 2nd, and the awards ceremony will be available on the official DevGAMM YouTube channel on November 19th at 6:00 PM Moscow time. Participate in the competition to showcase your developments and gain well-deserved recognition in the gaming community. Don't miss the chance to present your game to a wider audience and compete with the best projects.

Two days of intense communication and dynamic events have come to an end, but the largest event for game development professionals continues. The DevGAMM Fall 2021 ceremony, scheduled for November 17-19 in an online format, is now ready to welcome participants. October and November promise to be interesting and eventful for everyone who is passionate about game development.