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Pocket Gamer Connects, the leading international conference series for the global games industry, is coming back to San Francisco on March 17th to 18th, 2025.
This must-attend event will unite more than 750 industry professionals for two days of learning, pitching and networking. Attendees will dive into expertly curated conference tracks exploring the latest trends in mobile, covering everything from industry growth engines, user acquisition, and HTML5 to the investment landscape, monetisation, and UGC.
One of our expert speakers is Filip Dvorak, CEO and founder of Filuta AI, who is set to host the talk Effortless Game Testing with Planning Agents.
We spoke with Dvorak to hear more about mobile’s biggest opportunities, his goals in the space, the next big disruptor and more. We also went through a number of quick-fire questions.
PocketGamer.biz: What’s the most common mistake you see being made in the games sector?
Filip Dvorak: One of the most common mistakes is relying too heavily on manual testing and scripted QA processes. Many studios still follow outdated testing methodologies that don’t scale with modern game development.
AI-driven planning agents can automate gameplay testing, drastically reducing test script maintenance and catching issues early in development.
If you could give other mobile games companies one piece of advice, what would it be?
Embrace automation and AI-driven testing early. The more you integrate intelligent agents into your workflow, the more time and resources you save. AI can playtest at a scale and depth that humans cannot, uncovering design flaws, balance issues and bugs faster and more efficiently.
Where are the next big opportunities in the mobile games market?
The biggest opportunities lie in AI-assisted game development, procedural content generation and intelligent automation. AI can dynamically adapt gameplay, personalise player experiences and optimise monetisation strategies in ways that were previously impossible.
Another emerging area is cross-platform and cloud-based gaming, allowing seamless transitions between mobile, PC and console.
What’s the most important KPI for you and why?
Retention rate is a crucial KPI because it reflects how well a game keeps players engaged over time. If a game has high install rates but low retention, there’s a fundamental issue with gameplay, progression or user experience. AI-driven analytics and automated testing can help studios refine their design to improve retention.
What is your biggest aspiration or goal in mobile gaming?
My goal is to revolutionise game testing and development through AI-driven automation. By making intelligent planning agents more accessible to studios of all sizes, we can dramatically improve game quality, reduce production costs and enable developers to focus more on creativity rather than debugging and QA.
What company do you most admire in the mobile games world?
Supercell stands out for its ability to create engaging, long-lasting mobile experiences while maintaining a player-first approach. Their iterative development process and focus on quality over quantity set a strong example for the industry.
“AI can dynamically adapt gameplay, personalise player experiences and optimise monetisation strategies in ways that were previously impossible.”
Filip Dvorak
What do you think the next big disruptor in mobile games will be?
AI-powered dynamic game design. Rather than static levels and scripted AI, we will see games that adjust difficulty, content and interactions in real time based on player behavior. This will not only enhance engagement but also make games feel more personalised.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the mobile games industry today?
Sustainability. With rising user acquisition costs, market saturation and an increasing reliance on aggressive monetisation, many studios struggle to balance profitability with player satisfaction. AI-driven analytics and automation can help by improving player engagement without relying solely on monetisation tactics.
What leaders/pioneers in games do you find inspiring?
Sid Meier for his approach to game design, focusing on giving players meaningful choices. Also, John Carmack for his technical innovation and contributions to AI in gaming.
More recently, Demis Hassabis and his work with DeepMind’s AI applications in games are paving the way for new possibilities.
What developments do you think have been undervalued by the mobile games industry?
AI-driven testing and game balancing. Many studios still rely on manual QA, which is slow and inefficient. Automated planning agents can significantly accelerate testing while providing deeper insights into game mechanics and difficulty curves.
What’s your favourite mobile game?
Hearthstone. It’s a great example of how well-designed mechanics and AI-driven matchmaking can keep a game engaging for years.
What game from another company do you wish you had worked on?
Into the Breach. Its elegant turn-based mechanics and use of deterministic AI create an experience that feels both strategic and highly replayable.
What game do you think offers something new and exciting that hasn’t yet hit the mainstream?
AI-driven roguelikes that generate unique gameplay experiences each session. While some early versions exist, the full potential of AI-generated game design is still untapped.
What game has been on your phone the longest?
Chess.com. I’ve played chess since I was six, and it remains one of the best examples of a game that benefits from AI-driven matchmaking and adaptive difficulty.
“Mobile gaming constantly evolves, and AI-driven automation is opening up new ways to enhance game development and player experiences.”
Filip Dvorak
The mobile space evolves at a much faster pace than console and PC gaming, but is there a console or PC trend that you think has potential within the mobile space?
Procedural content generation and AI-driven dynamic difficulty. These features, popular in PC and console games, can be incredibly powerful in mobile games to provide endless replayability and personalised experiences.
What is the most overhyped trend from the last 12 months and why?
Blockchain-based play-to-earn games. While the concept is interesting, many implementations prioritise monetisation over gameplay quality. Without a solid game foundation, these models often collapse.
What key trend should we be paying attention to in the next 12 months?
AI-driven game testing and automation. As games get more complex, AI will play an essential role in streamlining QA, balancing gameplay and adapting experiences dynamically for players.
What role do NFTs play in the future of games?
NFTs could enable true digital ownership, but their success depends on how they are integrated. If they enhance gameplay rather than serve as a monetisation gimmick, they could have long-term value.
Is hypercasual gaming here to stay?
Yes, but it will evolve. Hypercasual games will likely incorporate more AI-driven engagement strategies to improve retention and monetization.
Tell us your thoughts on cloud gaming?
Cloud gaming is one of the most promising trends. As mobile hardware improves and internet speeds increase, cloud gaming will allow high-quality experiences without the limitations of device specs.
When not making/selling/playing games, what do you do to relax?
I enjoy creative writing, travelling, snowboarding and mountain climbing. I also have a deep interest in psychology and AI research.
What do you enjoy most about working in the mobile games industry?
The rapid pace of innovation. Mobile gaming constantly evolves, and AI-driven automation is opening up new ways to enhance game development and player experiences.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received that you can pass on to others?
“Build systems, not just solutions.”
Whether in game development or AI, creating scalable systems ensures long-term success and adaptability.
What was your first-ever mobile phone?
A Nokia 3310. A classic that introduced me to mobile gaming with Snake.
What was the fundamental appeal of the mobile games industry that brought you to it?
The ability to reach a massive, global audience with innovative AI-driven solutions. Mobile games are at the forefront of AI adoption and I saw an opportunity to revolutionise how games are tested and developed.
“Build systems, not just solutions.”
Filip Dvorak
What sessions are you planning to attend at PGC San Francisco?
Sessions on AI in game development, automated testing and emerging trends in game design.
What topics do you want to hear more about at industry events?
AI-driven automation in game testing, procedural content generation and adaptive difficulty systems.
Can people get in touch with you at the event? What sort of people would you like to connect with?
Absolutely. I’d love to connect with developers, QA teams and executives looking to integrate AI-driven automation into their game development pipeline.
Who are your ‘Don’t miss’ speakers at industry events?
Experts in AI-driven game design and procedural content generation.
What would you like to see more of from events in the future?
More focus on practical AI applications in game development, including workshops and real-world case studies.
Lastly, what is one way attendees can prepare for your discussion?
Consider the biggest pain points in your game development workflow, especially in testing and balancing. My session will cover how AI-driven planning agents can help address these challenges efficiently.
