Following the Developer Conference 2023 held at the Koelnmesse Conference Center East from August 20th to 22nd, the organizers have shared new record-breaking statistics from all aspects of the event, along with insights into shifts in participant interests and demographics. The conference witnessed a 28% growth with 3,400 industry professionals in attendance. The addition of the new partner events "Xsolla Game Night" and "Courage Cologne" attracted thousands of additional guests. The demographic profile of the conference attendees now boasts an 80% seniority rate, marking a 14% increase. Every third participant has been working in the video game industry for a minimum of seven years or more. The demand for premium offerings such as Business and VIP & Networking passes, along with partner options, was notably high due to their inclusion of most side events, facilitating interactions among peers in the gaming industry. According to participant feedback, networking emerged as the primary motive for attending the Developer Conference, closely followed by the outstanding speeches.

Aside from the surge in participant numbers, the program featured over 250 speakers across more than 160 sessions on 13 stages. These encompassed a wide range of insightful analyses on contemporary subjects like AI and its applications in various facets of game development, mental health, leadership and corporate culture, and brand building. The Devcom's opening keynote, "The Psychology of Play: The Power of Understanding Your Players," was delivered by Anna Brandberg, Lead UX Designer at The Outsiders (Funcom Stockholm). This was followed by the panel "Beneath The Return of Monkey Island: Q&A with LeCrew," featuring Dave Grossman, David Fox, Paul Toderas, Rex Crowle, Ron Gilbert, and Zoe Nguyen Zhan. The entire ddc2023 was streamed live on the gamescom.biz event platform and will soon be available as video-on-demand (VOD).

"My team has done an exceptional job preparing for #ddc2023, and I'm as grateful as I am proud to host this immensely important conference for the industry with them. We had already anticipated significant growth for the event in July, as international interest drove pre-sales up by 40%. It's been wonderful to listen to so many experts and thought leaders here in Cologne. Their expertise and willingness to share have once again positioned devcom as one of the most crucial conferences in our field. While we can't wait to see our participants again, I'm already inviting all industry professionals to the devcom Developer Conference 2024 – and they can secure their passes now." - Stephan Reichart | Managing Director at devcom

In addition to the return of established side events like the highly anticipated Networking & Executive Dinner, developer networking parties at the end of each conference day, and the FLINTA* Meet Up, the organizers offered exclusive experience tours in Cologne for speakers and VIPs and enhanced the devcom Pitch it! concept. Alongside their new partner, Xbox & ID@Xbox, they transformed it into a networking mix for developers, publishers, and investors. Newcomers included Xsolla Game Night, inviting participants to an exciting tabletop gaming event, and Courage Cologne, which showcased more than 40 games during the devcom Developer Night.

As the devcom Developer Conference 2023 concludes, several upcoming events have already been announced:

Next year's edition has been announced in the 2024 Ticket Shop, with discounts available until September 10th.The online summit "Safer Spaces at Games Industry Events" is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024. It's aimed at organizers of international events and will present the outcomes of the Safer Space Survey conducted during ddc2023.A new edition of the devcom Summit is planned for the first quarter of 2024.

This figure represents a slight decrease from last year's count of 3,500 attendees, which included supplementary side events. However, the organizers of Devcom 2023 proudly highlighted that this edition marked a new record for conference attendance.

Based on feedback provided by participants, the primary motivation for joining Devcom this year was networking opportunities, followed closely by the chance to engage with talks delivered by over 250 speakers across 160 sessions held throughout the three-day duration.

The lineup of speakers encompassed a diverse range of insights, including a keynote address by Anna Brandberg from Funcom, a Q&A session centered around "Return to Monkey Island," and a panel featuring experts from the African games industry, hosted by Vic Bassey, co-founder of Games Industry Africa.

The allure of partner events, such as Xsolla Game Night and Courage Cologne, significantly contributed to the overall appeal of Devcom, as highlighted in the conference's closing report.

Devcom's Managing Director, Stephan Reichart, remarked, "With international interest boosting pre-sales by 40% even before July, we were already anticipating significant growth in our event. It was truly inspiring to have so many industry experts and thought leaders gathered in Cologne. Their expertise and willingness to share made Devcom yet again one of the pivotal conferences in our field."

In terms of attendee demographics, this year witnessed a 14% rise in the seniority level, with a substantial 80% of participants identified as occupying senior, lead, or director positions within their respective organizations.

Amidst the deluge of video game film adaptations, Ron Gilbert, the creator of Monkey Island, recently shared his reservations about the game's potential transition to the silver screen. Speaking at a panel called "Beneath The Return of Monkey Island: Q&A with LeCrew" during Devcom, Gilbert expressed skepticism about the suitability of Monkey Island for a movie adaptation.

The panel, focused on the latest addition to the Monkey Island series, offered insights into the game's development. Amidst the discussion, a fan posed a question during the Q&A session about the feasibility of adapting Monkey Island into a live-action or animated film.

Gilbert's response shed light on a prior movie project that had been initiated after his departure from the series. He remarked, "I know there was a movie [project] after I left that they started to do but I don't know what happened and why it was cancelled." 

It's likely that Gilbert was referring to the animated project that was in the works at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) in the late 90s to early 2000s, which was explored in a previous feature for Polygon in February 2021. While this endeavor had input from the game's original creators, including writer and artist Steve Purcell, it faltered due to financing challenges faced by ILM.

Addressing potential future adaptations at Devcom, Gilbert expressed his concerns, particularly regarding the central character, Guybrush Threepwood. He voiced his apprehension that a film or TV show might misrepresent Guybrush and undermine his nuanced attributes.

Gilbert elaborated, "I think he works well in an interactive medium where the player can identify through him, but I would worry if there was a Monkey Island cartoon or TV show that Guybrush would turn into too much of a buffoon. And he's not a buffoon at all".

Continuing his point, he remarked, "He's caused a lot of damage but he always has really good intentions. And I'm not convinced that would translate into a film well. That would kind of worry me".

Devcom, the global industry event that unites game creators and related sectors under one roof, is back with a renewed vigor after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year's focus leans toward hybrid participation, featuring an array of video presentations and numerous hand sanitizing stations, all emblematic of the event's dedication to safety.

The event's venue, Congress-Centrum Ost Koelnmesse, radiates an unmistakable vibe. Notably, the event's goody bags proudly bear the sponsorship of Giants Software, the masterminds behind Farming Simulator. This German powerhouse developer, acclaimed for their collaborations with the EU, John Deere, and EIT Food, leaves no room for ambiguity in their promotion of sustainable farming practices.

Early attendees are treated to the breathtaking sight of Cologne's sunrise, a precursor to exploring the venue before the crowds gather. The sheer scale of the building and the multitude of booths on display provide an irrefutable testament to Devcom's significance.

For those unable to attend in person, online participation remains an option. While virtual attendance might lack the in-person networking and lively parties, it offers a chance to partake in the insights of the notable speakers lined up for this year.

Devcom's ability to compress such an abundance of content into just two days is truly remarkable.

What Awaits Attendees

Early risers who opted for an early tram ride are in for a treat, securing prime seats for keynote sessions. 

Amidst the bustling environment, Xbox graciously sponsors the "Silent Room", a tranquil retreat where attendees can momentarily escape the hubbub while remaining connected to live streams throughout GDC23. This gesture underscores Devcom's commitment to making the experience manageable for even the most seasoned event-goers, who are no strangers to the whirlwind nature of such gatherings.

Fitness enthusiasts can join the Devcom run club, which sets off at 08:00 daily—an admirable feat deserving of its own accolade. Speaking of accolades, keep an eye out for the announcement of our Top 50 Game Makers of 2023, slated for today. In the meantime, you can revisit last year's winners here and begin speculating about this year's roster.

Stay tuned as we provide comprehensive coverage of Devcom—ranging from meetings to keynotes—live as it unfolds. And when the curtain falls on Devcom, we'll seamlessly transition into the latest highlights from Gamescom.

Graphics Galore: "Hieronymus" by Rhenus Vina Musica @hieronymus_game Blockbuster: "The Occultist" by Pentakill Studios @pentakillstudios Creative Overkill: "Tom the postgirl" by Oopsie Daisies Studio @o.opsiedaisies

Make sure to check out the sessions by Marie Havemann, Ari Arnbjörnsson, Terrance Cohen & Joris Schnabel!

Let's dive into the past and let us show you some photos we like

FACEIT is known for creating developer and community tools that power online multiplayer games. Hear from Maria Laura Scuri, VP of Labs and Community Integrity, and Marcel Menge, SVP of Engineering, on “The tools needed to create inclusive competitive multiplayer games” on Tuesday at 3pm on Stage 2.

We're thrilled to reveal a fresh lineup of distinguished speakers.

Meet them at booth C.1 and check out their speaking sessions: “Enjoy the Game: The State of the Industry”, “Rewarding ways to p(l)ay” & “How to create the perfect Pitch”.