Devcom, the business-to-business gaming event, is making a bid to become the second-largest game developer event in the world, right after the Game Developers Conference (GDC). Stephan Reichart, the managing director of Devcom, revealed in an interview with GamesBeat that the event is expanding to a larger venue in Cologne, Germany, in hopes of achieving this goal. The new venue, Confex, is six times bigger than the previous one and is comparable to the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where GDC is held. By moving to this larger space, Devcom aims to accommodate a larger crowd and solidify its position as the second most important game developer event globally.
Devcom’s growth is evident in its speaker lineup. Kelsey Beachum, a renowned game writer and narrative designer known for her work on Outer Wilds, will deliver the opening keynote. Other notable speakers include Fleur Marty, executive producer at Fang & Claw, who will discuss project completion and team motivation, and Vladimir Lopatin, senior technical artist at Guerrilla Games, who will present a novel method for capturing physical wave simulation data in open-world games. Lucie Prunier, a producer at Don’tNod, will also share insights on building and growing cross-project technical departments in game development.
In addition to the impressive speaker lineup, Devcom’s new venue allows for a more extensive program. Last year’s event featured 160 sessions across 13 stages, but this year there will be 200 sessions across 15 stages. Devcom hopes to grow its audience by 30% and is launching a scholarship program to help underrepresented groups within gaming attend the conference for free. This initiative aims to provide a space for these individuals to network and grow their connections within the industry.
Devcom’s focus on networking extends beyond its scholarship program. The event will feature a retro gaming area and more games on display to create a more engaging and enjoyable experience for attendees. Devcom is also exploring ways to enhance matchmaking opportunities, allowing participants more time to network and meet potential collaborators.
Despite the challenges faced by the gaming industry, such as layoffs, Reichart believes that the worst is behind us. He sees a growing interest in business opportunities and a willingness to travel and meet people again. Devcom aims to capitalize on this by providing a platform for industry professionals to connect and explore potential partnerships.
With its expanded program, networking opportunities, and emphasis on inclusivity, Devcom is positioning itself as a leader in the gaming industry. The event’s growth and commitment to providing a valuable experience for attendees make it a strong contender for the second spot in the world of game developer events.
