Impressions of The Conference 2023

The second edition of Gamesweek Zurich | The Conference took place on 16 & 17 November 2023.

200 participants and 30 domestic and international speakers discussed and presented various aspects of games, society, economy and technology.

During both days matchmaking meetings and networking events took place.

Gamesweek Zurich | The Conference: Day 1

Find the full programme of Day 1 here.

Everything is ready for the opening of the conference.
David Stark, conference host, welcomes the audience on day 1
Welcome Note by Anita Martinecz, Division of Business and Economic Development, Canton of Zurich
Attila Szantner, MMOS, speaking about scientific research and video games
Anton Poletaev, 110 Industries, in his talk “Building a portfolio”
Ralf Mauerhofer, Koboldgames GmbH, on the potential of serious games
Yoann Douillet, HEIG-VD, during his presentation “Games with Impact”
Game Funding Strategies Panel with Laurent Kempf, Cinéforom, Cécile Vulliemin, Pro Helvetia and David Stark
Nikola Cavic, SGA (RS) and Kathrin Radtke, game – Bade Wurtemberg (DE) telling “Whats going on abroad”
Maud Bleu, Women in Games France (FR) and Sharon Tolaini-Sage, Women in Games (UK) discussing the guide “Building a Fair Playing Field”
Keynote Speaker Peter Molyneux, 22cans (UK) about “The Future of Game Creation”

Gamesweek Zurich | The Conference: Day 2

Find the full programme of Day 2 here.

The stage is ready for day two.
Federica Nocerino, conference host, welcomes the audience on day 2
Welcome Note on Day 2 by Olivier Blanchet, French Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein (FR)
Welcome Note by Michel Kaeppeli on behalf of Swiss Game Developers Association SGDA
Frank Dietiker, SUISA (CH) discussing copyright issues related to games and music
Michael Wohlgemuth, SUISA (CH) providing insights into the procedures of music collective societies
Alexander Schmid, epartners (CH) hosting the legal panel with speakers Andrea Dufaure, Allen & Overy (FR), Luca Guidobaldi, Advant Nctm Studio Legale (IT), Elena Lefter, Wargaming (CZ) and Claas Oehler, IHDE & Partner (DE)
Jennifer Wacrenier, PEGI (BE) sharing firsthand insights of the criteria for game ratings and the process behind them
Vivian Frei, Department of Education of the Canton of Zurich (CH), Thomas Gerber, Kantonale Anlaufstelle Radikalisierung / gewalttätiger Extremismus, Kantonspolizei Zürich (CH) &
Dr Suraj Lakhani, University of Sussex, Extremism Gaming Research Network (EGRN) (UK) discussing games in the context of extremism.
Thorsten Busch, ZHAW Center for Corporate Responsibility (CH) discussing sustainable game development.

Farhanaz a.k.a Joy Elahee, Afrogameuses (FR) about diversity initiatives in the game development industry
Adrian Degonda, Zurich University of Teacher Education (CH) about games in education
Henning Metzmacher, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich – Game Technology Centre (DE), discusses the ETH GTC’s experience with educational games
Participants are enjoying refreshments after an intense conference day.

Volunteers

Volunteers after two days of hard work.

Swiss Game Awards Ceremony

After the conference, the Swiss Game Awards ceremony for the best games of 2023 took place. The awards ceremony is the highlight for Swiss game creators.

Opening speech by Min Li Marti, Member of Parliament

Find here the overview of the winners in the various categories:

Swiss Game Awards

Pictures by Quim Vilar