We had the chance to interview two speakers of this year’s Pocket Gamer Connects and ask them about their expectations and why their lectures are so important to them.
UnityContainer What is the topic of your lecture?
Oscar Clark I’ll be looking after the Indie Track at PocketGamer Connects. This means that I’ll be the audiences guide all day taking you through all the discussions about the opportunities and challenges for smaller developers wanting to make games where design really matters. We will be looking at every area from Creativity, Understanding Players, Choosing Tools and Partners as well as, of course, Delivering Delight.
UnityContainer Why is this specific subject so important for you personally?
Oscar Clark This is the best of times and worst of times to be an indie developer. We have the best tools and the largest audiences than ever before in the history of games, but at the same time we face some of the biggest challenges including finding the right monetization model, how to get discovered and having to learn to be our own retailers.
This is a time where we have choices we can build games as art, as products and most importantly as services. We can make retro games or break out and make games which never would have been possible 10 years ago. The only certainty is change; but who knows maybe if we get it right we can still have the next $billion game.
The format we are planning for these sessions is also really important. We will have great speakers of course; but after each panel we will open questions first to our Indie Heroes. These veterans of game development will have the chance to cross-examine what the speakers have said; allowing us all to get deeper more meaningful insight than at other conferences. To me that is what makes PocketGamer Connects stand out; because we get both the insight and review from experts who are willing to explore each topic properly.
UnityContainer What should your listeners take home with them when leaving Pocket Gamer Connects?
Oscar Clark PocketGamer Connects is the event where you will meet the most influential players in the industry people who know the most about the industry come to share their knowledge and learn from each other. Its a place where we take games seriously.
UnityContainer In general: What are your expectations for this year’s Pocket Gamer Connects?
Oscar Clark This will be an unmissable event whether you want to meet influential industry leaders, to do the business of games or simply to learn more about this ever changing space.
UnityContainer What are the most exciting developments in the gaming industry for you at present (technically and economically)?
Oscar Clark I remain fascinated to see how developers can create meaning in their games that players want to share through social media and that their friends find entertaining.
UnityContainer What is the topic of your lecture?
Wilhelm Taht Not so much of a lecture, more of a special session with quick paced presentations from a selected group of industry luminaries. It will be great 🙂
UnityContainer Why is this specific subject so important for you personally?
Wilhelm Taht I think the setup for PG Connects is perfect for doing something creative. And knowing how fun Helsinki can be in June, I’m expecting this to be a session that will be remembered.
UnityContainer What should your listeners take home with them when leaving Pocket Gamer Connects?
Wilhelm Taht Smiles. Hopefully.
UnityContainer In general: What are your expectations for this year’s Pocket Gamer Connects?
Wilhelm Taht Well, there already was one PG Connects in January and it was great! Great talks, good meetings, stellar evening program. So I’m expecting something even bigger from the Helsinki one.
UnityContainer What are the most exciting developments in the gaming industry for you at present (technically and economically)?
Wilhelm Taht From both a technical and economical standpoint; we’re seeing more and more very senior teams going the entrepreneurial route. For strong teams, there is still a massive opportunity in free to play mobile / tablet games, no matter what the industry is telling you. If you can create high quality and strong F2P games, you will be able to raise financing for marketing (or partner with a publisher).