Pocket Gamer Connects 2024 Celebrating a decade of uniting the games industry

As we close out an incredible year, it’s time to celebrate the remarkable milestones achieved at the Pocket Gamer Connects 2024 conferences. Not only did it mark its 10th anniversary, the global games industry gathered in record numbers, making this year a powerful testament to the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and business opportunities in the games industry. Let’s break down the phenomenal stats that defined our 2024 events!

Pocket Gamer Connects welcomed an astounding 8,750 attendees in 2024, a community of creators, developers, publisher, investors, service and tool providers and more brought together to discuss how we can all work together.

• 690 expert speakers shared insights, trends, and strategies, offering invaluable knowledge across the industry’s most pressing topics.

• 3,410 companies joined us this year, representing the entire ecosystem of the industry.

• Our attendees hailed from 72 countries, underscoring Pocket Gamer Connects’ role as a truly global platform.

In 2024, our commitment to meaningful connections was stronger than ever. While the main events feature impactful keynotes and thought leadership from industry experts, its the array of networking opportunities that really sets Pocket Gamer Connects apart. The opportunities we provide help create informal environments where professionals can exchange ideas and build lasting connections. We facilitated 8,456 meetings through our networking platform and events, creating opportunities for collaboration, investment and growth.

At Pocket Gamer Connects 2024, 2,000+ indie studios had the opportunity to showcase their projects and innovative ideas through a variety of engaging formats. Dedicated expo areas allowed developers to present their games to attendees, offering live demos and interactive sessions. The Big Indie Zone provided a spotlight for studios to display their projects and recieve direct feeback. Additionally The Very Big Indie Pitch sessions and panel discussions enabled indie developers to share their stories, challenges, and creative processes. These platforms not only helped studios gain exposure but also facilitated meaningful conversations that could lead to future collaborations, investments, or publishing deals.

The ever-popular Publisher SpeedMatch proved to be a major success. The demand was evident as 133 developer studios connected with 38 publishers, building new partnerships and laying the groundwork for future successes. The format fostered a lively atmosphere and opened the door to valuable business opportunities for all participants.

Meanwhile, the Investor Connector offered a platform for driven developers and strategic investors to meet. Interest was strong, with developers eager to pitch their projects and explore potential collaborations. Following a thorough selection process, 26 investors participated, giving developers a valuable chance to showcase their ideas and seek funding. In total, 50 developer studios took part, highlighting the industry’s drive for innovation and growth.

These fringe events facilitated meaningful conversations and cultivated new partnerships, supporting the ongoing development and success of the games industry.

Pocket Gamer Connects continues to be a catalyst for growth, discovery and partnerships. Whether you were seeking new business opportunities, looking for funding, or simply exploring the latest trends, 2024 was a year filled with possibilities.

Much like new connections, the conference offered new opportunities in the conference and to celebrate the industry. We saw the introduction of the The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024, which celebrated the top businesses and individuals propelling the region’s games industry forward. After weeks of public nominations and deliberations by our panel of 80 expert judges, the winners were announced at the Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects.

Similarly, the winners of the inaugural Jordan Games Awards were revealed at Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan 2024. This was established to recognise the best game development teams and companies positioning Jordan as a key player within the MENA games industry. The awards were the result of nominations and voting by industry members themselves.

We also celebrated record-breaking numbers of companies attending in London, marking a milestone for the event. In addition, Pocket Gamer Connects held its biggest-ever US event in San Francisco. The conference in Helsinki saw first time features such as the IGDA Chat Corner and the Career Zone AND brought the second largets Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki event to date.

As we reflect on these incredible numbers, we’re reminded that our community’s passion is what drives Pocket Gamer Connects. Thank you to everyone who attended, spoke, shared, and connected this year. Here’s to another year of collaboration and to ‘thrive in 2025’!

Stay tuned for more exciting news and opportunities at Pocket Gamer Connects 2025 conference series – we can’t wait to connect again!