guildford.games Developer Summit 2025 Schedule & Speakers

Attendees will be welcomed by Culture Track host Steve and Finance Track host Sam before Carl Jones - Founder, MacconJones and former COO at Cloud Imperium Games - opens the event with a keynote speech.

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Join us for a talk focused on building high-performance dev teams, where Graham McAllister, an organisational psychologist specialising in the games industry, will share his expertise on what makes development teams thrive. Drawing on his experience with One Shared Vision, Graham will explore how aligning teams around a shared vision can unlock their full potential. This session offers practical strategies to enhance collaboration, improve team dynamics, and drive success in game development.

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Join us for Creating Hyper Engaged Teams, hosted by Steve Cuss of The Gameplan Consultancy. Drawing on his extensive experience in team dynamics and organizational success, Steve will explore strategies to foster engagement, collaboration, and productivity within development teams. This session will provide actionable insights on building a motivated workforce, aligning team goals, and sustaining high performance in the fast-paced world of game development. Perfect for studio leaders looking to take their teams to the next level.

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Join Lauran Carter in conversation with Dylan Beale of DPS Games for Hard Mode Heroes: DPS and the Russia-Ukraine War, a powerful and inspiring talk about the extraordinary efforts that earned DPS the Hard Mode Hero Award at the guildford.games Awards last year. Dylan will share the incredible story of how DPS Games evacuated their development teams—along with their families and pets—across borders during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, overcoming immense challenges to relocate them safely. This session offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the resilience, humanity, and leadership required to protect the people behind the games in the face of crisis.

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Join us for an engaging session with Tamsin O’Luanaigh, former Chief People Officer at nDreams, as she shares her expertise on the critical role of culture in building successful, resilient game development teams. Drawing on her extensive experience in talent development and organisational leadership, Tamsin will explore how fostering a positive and inclusive studio environment can drive innovation, collaboration, and long-term success in the games industry. Perfect for anyone interested in the people behind the games.

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Join us for a talk focused on funding fundamentals, where Simon Byron of Yogscast will explore the role of publishing in funding and supporting game development. Simon will share insights on what publishers look for in a pitch, how to establish strong partnerships, and the key ways publishers can help your studio succeed beyond just financial investment. Whether you’re seeking a publishing deal or curious about how the process works, this talk is packed with essential advice for developers.

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Join us for an exclusive round table discussion with David Gardner of London Venture Partners, where we’ll explore the art and strategy of pitching for funding in the games industry. With years of experience as a leading investor, David will share his insights into what makes a compelling pitch, how to stand out to potential backers, and the common pitfalls to avoid. This interactive session is a unique opportunity to gain expert advice, ask questions, and learn from one of the industry’s top venture capitalists. Perfect for studios looking to secure investment and take their ideas to the next level.

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Join us for What Do VCs Look for in a Games Investment Partner, hosted by Aaron Loeb from Griffin Gaming Partners. This session will provide a deep dive into the key factors venture capitalists consider when evaluating potential investments in the games industry. Aaron will share his expertise on building strong partnerships, presenting a compelling case for investment, and understanding the value VCs can bring beyond just funding. Ideal for studios seeking to attract and collaborate with top-tier investors.

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Join us for Funding Journeys: Lessons and Insights from Studio Leaders, where James Brooksby of Absolutely Games and Megan Ralph of Kindred Games share their personal experiences navigating the complex world of securing funding. From pitching to investors to overcoming challenges, this panel will provide invaluable advice and real-world stories to help studios better understand the funding process. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this session is packed with insights to guide your journey. Hosted by Sam Collins.

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