The 40th Pocket Gamer Connects Conference: A Gathering of Gaming Professionals in Helsinki
In 2014, the first Pocket Gamer Connects Conference brought together professionals from the gaming industry for networking and knowledge sharing. Held in Helsinki, Finland, it was chosen as a location due to its reputation as a hub for gaming innovation and mobile talent. This year, the 40th Pocket Gamer Connects Conference returned to Finland, welcoming over 1,200 professionals who came to participate in talks, panels, recruitment opportunities, and networking events. It was a testament to the collaborative nature of the city.
The conference drew attendees from 41 countries, representing more than 510 companies, making it an international affair. Over 150 top speakers, including representatives from leading local and global brands such as Digital Turbine, Ubisoft Redlynx, and EA Games, shared their insights and expertise with the attendees.
The Event Venue and Exhibitors
The conference took place at the Wanha Satama venue, a historic building that provided a bright and business-like environment for the two-day event. The show floor was filled with almost 50 exhibitors, showcasing their goods and services to the attendees. Among them were over 20 indie developers who had the opportunity to present their games.
Award Winners and Partners
During the conference, attendees had the chance to vote for their favorite showcased game. The Audience Choice Award, sponsored by ByteBrew, was won by SULPHUR by Perfect Random. Additionally, the Perfect Random team won the Very Big PC Pitch, while Boogiz emerged as the winner of the Very Big Indie Pitch mobile edition.
Global Game Jam served as the conference’s official indie partner.
A Celebration of the Finnish Games Industry
The Steel Media COO, Dave Bradley, expressed his gratitude for the incredible atmosphere at the Helsinki event and praised the Finnish games industry for its sense of community. He mentioned the various activities and parties that took place, including the IGDA Leadership Summit, which further showcased the vibrant nature of the industry.
Looking towards the future, Bradley expressed excitement for the 10th-anniversary celebrations of Pocket Gamer Connects in 2024.
Upcoming Pocket Gamer Connects Events
The positive feedback from the Helsinki conference has highlighted the growing demand for PG Connects events. For those who missed the Helsinki conference, there are more opportunities to participate in upcoming live events.
From November 4th to 5th, PG Connects Jordan will take place on the shores of the Dead Sea, returning to the MENA region. Super Early Bird pricing is available for a limited time.
In January 2023, the flagship Connects conference will return to London, marking the start of Pocket Gamer’s 10th anniversary year. Early bird tickets are already available.
Get Involved Today
If you’re interested in sharing your knowledge and expertise with the gaming community, Pocket Gamer Connects invites esteemed producers, developers, executives, and leaders in the space to lead sessions at their upcoming conferences. You can complete their speaker submission form or contact them directly to discuss further.
For those looking to put their brand in front of the global mobile games industry, there are various sponsorship opportunities available. Interested parties can reach out to the Pocket Gamer team for more details.