MAY 10, 2023 | Skybound Entertainment Headquarters

The annual LA Games Conference returns on May 10th, 2023. 

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WHAT IS LA GAMES CONFERENCE?

LA Games Conference is a high-end favorite among game, media, and investment leaders for the high energy, focused environment for networking, meetings, and deal-making.

LA GAMES CONFERENCE DATES

LA Games Conference 2023 VIP Edition will be presented in-person on May 10, 2023 at Skybound Entertainment Headquarters.

CONFERENCE FORMAT

LA Games Conference will be hosted in-person for one day filled with fireside chats, roundtables, panels, and presentations on digital game investment, creation, distribution, marketing, and monetization. Stay tuned for speaker announcements!

2023 AGENDA

Speakers and details subject to change.


May 10, 2023

Welcome and Introductory Remarks

Please join us for our opening session as David Alpert, CEO of Skybound Entertainment ushers in the first ever 2023 LA Games Conference VIP Edition.

Research Presentations

Research presentation on investment trends in the game industry by Moritz Baier-Lentz, Partner at Lightspeed Gaming. Presenter: Moritz Baier-Lentz, Partner, Lightspeed Gaming

The State of the Game Industry

The global games market was projected to generate $184 billion in 2022, representing a 4% decrease from the previous year representing the first decline in 15 years, with game revenue coming from a mix of subscription services, downloadable content (DLC) and add-ons, as well as in-app or in-game purchase options for virtual items or game-enhancing experiences. This panel of industry leaders will discuss expectations for the industry in 2023 and the trends that are most likely to drive future growth. What does it take to make a successful game for console, mobile, tablets and PC in today’s environment? What genres – adventure/role playing games, puzzles, social games, strategy, simulation and others – are driving growth? How are consumer habits shaping the opportunities for market incumbents and new entrants alike?

Dealmaking and M&A in the Games Market

As market volatility and the cost of capital have increased, there has been a decline in deal activity and public and private market valuations, but there are also interesting new opportunities arising. This panel of investors and dealmakers will discuss the current environment for dealmaking in the games market and consider the opportunities presented. What are the new opportunities for the long-term oriented strategies focused on innovation in the sector?  What types of deals are being done?

The Role of Games in Franchise Building

As a global business with revenue of over $184 million, the games market is bigger than the music, film (box office) and publishing businesses combined. It is no wonder then that major movie studios, television networks and gaming studios are increasingly working together to focus on storytelling across mediums with a focus on building long-lasting entertainment franchises that engage audiences through the artful and well-planned use of multiple-media platforms. The panel will discuss the important role that game play and interactivity is playing in the future development of entertainment franchises.

Inclusive Game Design and Development: The Benefits to Franchise Development

“Games are a rich, expansive medium that allow players to explore the possibilities of other realms and realities. Diversity in these stories, mechanics, and environments allows games to appeal to a wide set of this potential player-base while allowing players to become enriched, inspired, and empowered by these games and the stories within them.” – IGDA 2022 Report Inclusive game design and development “not only empowers players who are often underrepresented, but also creates an impassioned fanbase, distinguishes the game and its design from competitors, and improves both user experience and public perception” (IGDA), offering a huge benefit to companies involved in franchise development to reach fans and audiences. This panel will discuss the steps and considerations from the corporate management team level to the development team level to be taken while designing and developing an inclusive game.

Games Marketing: Tapping the Creator Economy for Success

This panel of experts in games marketing and creator economy  will discuss marketing strategies and campaigns for marketing games on different platforms. What are the most effective strategies? What are the metrics that determine success?

Past Speakers Included:

Andrew Paradise

CEO and Co-Founder,
Skillz

Angela Roseboro

Chief Diversity Officer,
Riot Games

Ann Hand

CEO and Chairman,
Super League Gaming

Ashley Crowder

Co-Founder & CEO,
VNTANA

Barry Cottle

CEO, Scientific Games Interactive
(formerly Chief Revenue Officer, Zynga)

Ben Feder

President, International Partnerships (North America), Tencent Games

Bernard Kim

President of Publishing,
Zynga

Bill Young

Head of Games,
Twitch

Bonnka Lim

VP of Content Marketing & Partnerships,
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Brandon Cubillas

Head of Industry for App Gaming,
Google

Chris DeWolfe

CEO and Co-Founder,
Jam City

Chris Hewish

President,
Xsolla

Chris Petrovic

SVP, Head of Corporate Strategy, M&A and Business Development, Zynga Inc.

Craig Donato

Chief Business Officer,
Roblox

Dan Murray

Co-CEO,
Skybound Games

David Morin

Industry Manager for Media and Entertainment, Epic Games

David Perry

CEO & Co-Founder, VYRL.co
(formerly CEO, Gaikai, Acquired by Sony)

David Roberts

SVP, GM PopCap, Electronic Arts
(formerly CEO, PopCap Games- Acquired by EA)

Frank Gibeau

CEO, Zynga
(formerly President, EA Labels, Electronic Arts)

Frédéric Chesnais

CEO,
Atari Blockchain

Jaci Hays

Chief Corporate Alliance Officer,
FaZe Clan

Javier Ferreira

Co-CEO,
Scopely

Jesse Janosov

GM Xbox Community,
Microsoft

Joanna Popper

Global Lead, Virtual Reality Location Based Entertainment,
HP

John Pleasants

CEO, Brava Home Inc.
(formerly CEO, Playdom- acquired by Disney)

John Riccitiello

Chief Executive Officer, Unity Technologies

Jon Radoff

CEO & Founder,
Disruptor Beam

Jonathan Anastas

CMO, ONE Championship and ONE Esports

Jonathan Flesher

Head of Business Development,
Discord

Josh Yguado

President and Co-Founder,
Jam City

Julie Shumaker

Senior Vice President of Revenue, Unity Operate Solutions,
Unity Technologies

Kristian Segerstrale

CEO, Super Evil Megacorp
(formerly Supercell Investor/Past Board Member; Playfish (now EA) & Glu Mobile Co-Founder)

Kyu Lee

President,
GAMEVIL COM2US USA

Lars Buttler

Co-Founder & CEO, AI Foundation
(formerly CEO, Trion Worlds)

Laura Naviaux Sturr

Head of Business Operations and Player Experience,
Amazon Games

Leanne Loombe

Head of External Games,
Netflix

Lester Chen

Head of Gaming, Americas,
YouTube

Lydia Bottegoni

Executive Vice President of Story and Franchise Development,
Blizzard Entertainment

Mikko Setala

EVP, Rovio Entertainment Ltd. (formerly President - Rovio Animation Company)

Mitch Lasky

General Partner, Benchmark Capital (and former CEO, JAMDAT, acquired by EA)

Morgan Kruger

COO, MWM Universe

Nonny de la Peña

Founder,
Emblematic Group

Owen Mahoney

CEO,
Nexon

Randy Shaffer

Senior Sales Director U.S.- Xbox, Verizon Media
(formerly West & Central Region Sales Director, Xbox Advertising - Microsoft)

Richard Marks

Research Fellow,
Sony Interactive Entertainment

Rikard Steiber

Former President, Viveport,
HTC Vive

Rob Pardo

Design and Operations, Bonfire Studios
(formerly Game Designer/Former CCO - Blizzard Entertainment)

Samantha Ryan

Senior Vice President, Group GM, BioWare, Full Circle, Maxis, Motive,
Electronic Arts

Saxs Persson

Co-Chief Creative Officer, Mojang Studios,
Minecraft

Shara Senderoff

Founder & Partner,
Raised in Space

Soojeong Song

Gaming Vertical Lead, Google

Taewon Yun

General Manager, Global Publishing,
Super Evil Megacorp

Ted Schilowitz

Futurist,
Paramount Pictures

Tony Bartel

Former COO, Gamestop
(formerly President, Gamestop)

Yat Siu

Co-Founder and Executive Chairman,
Animoca Brands

Yvette Martinez-Rea

Chief Executive Officer,
ESL North America

2023 Sponsors Include:

Past Sponsors and Media Partners Included: