Overview
The two days will be packed with opportunities to learn about the region’s games industry and about the hottest global games topics.
The Summit is divided into individual talks, fireside chats with key figures and expert panels. And each day will conclude with guided roundtables, breakout sessions where everybody will be encouraged to chat with our industry insiders on important subjects.
There will also be time for informal networking, pleasant meals, and activities in the desert. Please check your email for more information.
Summit Programme
DAY 1 (NOV 30th)
08:30 | Doors open and registration
09:25 | Welcome to PGC Leaders Summit Riyadh
• Chris James, Steel Media
• Kadri Harma, Nine66
09:40 | Keynote: The National Gaming and eSports Strategy (KSA): Beyond a country plan for the industry
• David Fernandez, Sandsoft
10:10 | 10 Trends that are shaping the Global Games Market
• Chris James, Steel Media
10:25 | Panel: State of Play in the accelerating MENA market: Last 5 years and next 10
• Chris James, Steel Media [moderator]
• Kadri Harma, Nine66
• John Lacey, Level Infinite, Tencent Games Global
• Mohamed Zaher, Niko Partners
• Hussam Hamo, Tamatem
• Kamal Aittah, Game Hermits
11:20 | Break
11:30 | The State of Games and Esports in the Middle East: the Current Landscape and Future Growth
Mohamed Zaher, Niko Partners
11:50 | Panel: What it takes to succeed in the MENA market. Tips, tricks, trends and tastes
• Dave Bradley, Steel Media [moderator]
• Musab Almalki, Spoilz
• Oliver Kern, Nine66
• Kamal Aittah, Game Hermits
• Hussam Hamo, Tamatem
12:35 | Lunch
13:30 | Fireside Chat: Lessons from the front line: Building and selling globally successful games businesses
• Chris James, Steel Media [moderator]
• Chris Calderon, Gamejam
14:00 | Roundtable: Growing an ecosystem: What do we need to do to grow the MENA games industry?
14:00 | Roundtable: Managing difficult market conditions: How to run and grow your games company in a recession
14:00 | Roundtable: MENA market Q&A: What essentials do we need to know to arrive and thrive in the region?
14:50 | Break
15:20 | Depart for Nox desert camp trip
20:00 | Dinner
21:30-22:30 | Return to Crowne Plaze
DAY 2 (DEC 1st)
08:30 | Doors open and registration
10:10 | Welcome to PGC Leaders Summit Riyadh Day 2
• Chris James, Steel Media
• Kadri Harma, Nine66
10:15 | Games Investment Update: The Story so far for M&A, Investment and Public Markets
• Chris James, Steel Media
10:35 | Panel: Where is the smart money going? Where is the savvy money invested?
• Chris James, Steel Media [moderator]
• Sean Lee, Wargaming
• David Chang, Tyr Advisors
• Louis Gresham, March Gaming
• Anuj Tandon, JetSynthesys
• Kadri Harma, Nine66
11:20 | Break
11:40 | Panel: The Next Big Things: web3/blockchain, metaverse, XR, cloud gaming, Games Pass, more?!
• Dave Bradley, Steel Media [moderator]
• Patrik Wilkens, TheSoul Publishing
• Bozena Rezab, Gamee
• Chris Calderon, Gamejam
12:25 | Panel: Gaming 2030: New tech, trends and models. How to plan your business for the next 5-10 years
• Kay Gruenwoldt, Nine66 [moderator]
• Peeyush Gulati, Savvy Games Studios
• Patrik Wilkens, TheSoul Publishing
• Yahsir Qureshi, Sandsoft
• Jonty Barnes, Formation Games
• Jamy Nigri, Genvid
13:10 | Lunch
14:00 | Regeneration Driven by the Games Industry
• Georg Broxtermann, Games Forest Club
14:20 | Roundtable: Investor connecting: What are investors looking for? How is fund-raising changing? How to get the best deal in a tougher market
14:20 | Roundtable: Games publishing 2023-30! The biggest challenges now and next – and how to deal with them!
14:20 | Roundtable: The next big thing? Which opportunities should we embrace in new technology (blockchain, VR , AI?) and how do we take advantage?
15:20 | Break
15:30 | The PocketGamer.biz Top 30 MENA Game Makers reveal!
16:00 | Break and close
17:30 | Depart for Soundstorm Music Festival [VIP ticket holders only]
An alternative 19:00 dinner in Riyadh is possible for other attendees. Please check your email for details.
00:30 | Return to Crowne Plaza from Soundstorm [VIP ticket holders only]
