Announcing Game Conference Guide 2.0, new year, new look, new features
Game Conference Guide Insights - January 2025
As you may have noticed, Game Conference Guide has changed a bit. The new version has been launched. Welcome to the Game Conference Guide 2.0.
The month of January is usually reserved for breaking down the data, zooming in on metrics and presenting the insights in annual Year in Review. The launch of new version of the website takes the priority here. Worry not, the Year in Review is coming up in February, you won’t miss the findings nor how many days you would spend conferencing if you would sacrifice your time to attend each event out there.
The launch of the new Game Conference Guide was delayed so many times for so many different reasons, I started to think, should I just skip the 2.0 version, and focus on what will come after? I remember showing the first prototype at gamescom 2023 and bragging about it. We have hit limits of the plugins we have been using; we switched to completely different new ones, we had to find a workaround and finally used a duct tape to put it all together. The most important thing is, the new version is live, and you can check it out, if you haven’t yet.
So why the new version?
PARTNER OF THE MONTH
The devcom Leadership Summit 2025, taking place on February 19-21, 2025, in Lisbon, is dedicated to creating a secure and open environment where top-level professionals can network and tackle critical industry challenges in an exclusive, confidential setting.
Among the C-Level managers and directors attending is Shawn Layden, former President of Sony Interactive, joining prominent participants including Jehanne Rousseau (formerly Spiders), Natasha Skult (MiTale), Lars Janssen (Deck13), Yves LeYaouanq (Focus Entertainment), and Lisa Kretschmer (IO Interactive).
A Program to foster real impact
In collaboration with industry leaders, the team behind Europe’s leading developer conference, has developed a three-day program centered on personalized networking, expert insights, and meaningful discussions. To foster these conversations, six expert-led roundtables are held, each focusing on a key theme and supported by potential subtopics designed to inspire and guide dynamic, meaningful discussions:
Leadership & HR
Production & Operations
Business, Strategy & Innovation
Design, Creativity & Player Experience
Tech & Tools in Game Development
AI in Game Development
Unlike traditional conference formats, the Leadership Summit emphasizes a confidential setting, enabling attendees to share experiences and strategies openly.
Why This Matters Now
The gaming landscape is still evolving at an unprecedented pace, with new technologies, shifting market dynamics, and heightened player expectations presenting both opportunities and challenges. devcom’s Leadership Summit offers a much-needed safe space for leaders to navigate these complexities together and refine their approaches to ensure sustained growth and innovation.
Since the launch in October 2020, I was adding features I didn’t plan to have on the website initially. It started as a dashboard for a lot of data I was gathering and at the beginning it was not to supposed be used how it is being accessed now. New features were added (Calendar, Showcases, Deadlines) but not a lot of you noticed or used them. It was clear the website needs a more straightforward design, and I had to declutter the main page.
Until a few weeks ago, the graphs were still prominent feature on the website for example. They took space, they delayed the loading of what is important and why you all are accessing the website in the first place. So, they had to go. I am trying to find a better place for them and add more visualization by creating a dashboard for all the data nerds out there. For now, graphs were sunset.
Did you know Game Conference Guide had an archive with almost 1500 events covering 2020 – 2024? No? Archive is another feature that was put on hold. This section will be under construction, the dataset needs to be reorganized. It works like a time capsule, and I have been using it to cross reference the events. But for now, it has been sunset.
I believe most of the time you are spending in the tables, looking for your new event and not reading how to use the website. And for this, all the text has been rewritten and a lot of it is simple gone.
For those, who have bookmarked Showcases or Deadlines, I must disappoint, the old bookmarks won’t work, but here are the new ones leading directly to your favourite sections:
What else is new?
The design or fresh coat of paint (look at the rounded edges) was not the main priority, but it was needed. The new version has a similar look & feel and the partners section is getting more spotlight.
The stars of the new design are these three buttons (pictured above). They are switching between different tables; they load in one go and you do not have to have multiple windows open. Yes, they are simple tabs, but for me, these are magic.
Events, Deadlines & Showcases are still separated, but they are so close now.
Tables shows more events at a glance, 15 to be exact at a given time. Deadlines and Showcases for now don’t have any limit, but with increased numbers, the pagination will be introduced.
The whole website runs on a faster and more secure backbone, which you should feel from the moment you visit the website.
Since the games industry moved to a new place, Game Conference Guide is on Bluesky as well. A lot of events, groups and communities are still on Twitter / X, so it won’t be the full move yet. The Bluesky account will start posting about new events very soon.
The new Game Conference Guide has been delayed many times, but it is finally here. I am very happy with it. We switched it with minimum downtime (the site was down for about 15 minutes in total) and without any mistakes. Everything works, it is faster and a little prettier. And it wouldn’t be possible without help from my good friend Marcel Klimo with steel nerves. Thank you, man!
Do let me know what you think about the new version. Are you missing any feature?
Suggest it.
And if you find a mistake, do bring it forward.
I have been testing this one for a long time, but you know how it is. Fresh pair of eyes can see it in a different light.
Stay tuned for all the data breakdown and some interesting math in the upcoming Year in Review report coming in February.
In the meantime, go and check out the scheduled 2025 events. The are 125 of them now. More will be added in upcoming days, weeks and months, as they are announced.
[Game Conference Guide is helping you find your next games industry events & showcase.]
Thank you for reading and supporting Game Conference Guide. Consider sharing it with your peers, colleagues, and community.
Pavol Buday, curator @ GCG