Making sure you start the year in style, Pocket Gamer Connects London is happening on 13-14 January 2015 at Vinopolis.
And tickets are available now.
So to give you a hint at what you can expect, we're shining the spotlight onto our speakers to provide a deeper look at the personalities who will be taking the stage at PG Connects London 2015.
Seen it. Done it
Matt Spall is a veteran of the games industry with a 27-year-career working in companies like The Sales Curve (later Sci), Virgin Interactive, Psygnosis and Take 2.
He co-founded his first business, Morpheme, in 1999 specialising in mobile content (then WAP), eventually winning a BAFTA and two Develop awards.
Matt took the company through a number of ownership and focus changes over a number of years moving away from mobile, into casual games, then internet content.
Matt has now co-founded a new business, Invisiplay, that’s building a platform to change the way people consume online video and interactive content through their existing home entertainment systems and mobile devices.
Pocket Gamer: We’re showcasing the Best of British at Pocket Gamer Connects so how much of an impact have British game developers had in your gaming life?
Matt Spall: British game developers have had a huge impact in my gaming life.
Growing up a gamer in the 70s and 80s exposed me to a huge number of games built in the early days of the industry and early pioneers like Jeff Minter, Matthew Smith, Tony Crowther, Eugene Evans and John Ritman, to name but a few, have really shaped what I expect and love from games, even now.
Why is user acquisition such a challenge in the mobile business today?
I've always found picking your targets very carefully can be good - produce something for a niche that is under-served, or one that has room for more of the same.
Produce something for a niche that is under-served.Matt Spall
It's incredibly hard to establish a new brand or innovate cross category, and those who try without monumental marketing support will likely fail.
What are the major challenges currently facing games businesses when publishing abroad?
It's relatively easy to create a groundswell of interest in a product in your home territory: there are usually people who can, and will help you get exposure.
Once you move into a new territory, even without language barriers in the way, the familiarity with locals becomes weak.
Finding a few influential local people can pay dividends, maintain relationships when you can, and where possible, reciprocate.
How can indie developers adapt to survive in the mobile economy?
Partner and listen.
Will new technology like wearable tech and VR change the mobile landscape?
Non-intrusive tech, like smartwatches, and control systems like the Myo armband (below) are likely to succeed more so than overt wearables like Google Glass (or whatever it becomes).
Mobile is still a very personal domain, where a user's screen on their mobile device is still very much their own space, The extension of that space out into the world is one that needs to be handled carefully.
What are you most looking forward to at Pocket Gamer Connects?
To listen and learn about how the market has changes, and where it's likely to go. And the bar : )
What’s your prediction for the mobile gaming industry in 2015?
- Charging models will continue to change with new and innovative approaches to the way product is monetised.
- Collaborations will become more prevalent with brands and licenses not normally associated with mobile.
- Location will finally actually have a place in gaming (yeah, right!)
Grab your tickets for Pocket Gamer Connects London 2015 here!
Don't forget to keep up-to-date with content from our speakers via the Speaker Spotlight hashtag.
And you can check out videos of our speaker talks from PG Connects Helsinki 2014 here.
