Mobile Mavens: The expert's guide to surviving Gamescom

• Learn the layout and leave time between meetings. Get ahead of the consumer crowds on Wednesday morning. Plan which parties you can attend and who your connections are…
• Our experts have got you covered

Gamescom and DevCom are just around the corner! Whether you're attending for the first time or have been in the past, it's essential to be prepared. 

To help with those preparations, we asked our Mavens for their thoughts and advice on how to survive and get the most out of the event. 

Here’s what they had to say…

Oscar Clark

Chief Strategy Officer at Fundamentally Games

Gamescom is possibly the biggest event of the year for game developers (although that’s debatable with GDC!)

It helps if you can stay in the city - the other side of the river than the Kolnemesser - as that’s where all the parties will be.  

I sign up for all the parties I can and then decide at the time which I can actually make it to. It's super unfair on the event organisers, I know, but it's hard to keep track otherwise. Wednesday is a nightmare! It’s the day everyone wants to hold a party!

Decide if you need to do dinners or networking.

Dinners are better for building relationships, BUT you only get to speak properly to a handful of people. Networking events allow you to be a social butterfly and meet a lot of people.

MeetToMatch is great, but are they the specific people you are trying to talk to? You need to dig deep and separately research who are the ‘gatekeepers’ versus the ‘decision makers’ you always want to talk to ‘decision-makers’.

Do stay for Friday and walk the consumer halls. It’s an incredible experience to see tens of thousands of people, many in cosplay, delighting about the upcoming games, queuing for hours to see a trailer which will be released next week, and maybe get a chance to play a short early demo. This will remind you why we do this and who it's for. It's good for the soul.

Martine Spaans

Owner at Tamalaki

• Schedule time between your meetings to walk from place to place. The halls can be a bit of a maze.

• If you want to see the consumer halls, do so on Wednesday morning before the crowds come in.

• Bring a refillable water bottle. Cologne in August is typically quite hot, and the tap water is safe to drink. 

• There are a lot of parties at the end of the day, some in the trade visitor halls themselves, others in the city centre. Pace yourself!

Aaron Ludlow

Product Director at Playstack

Your Gamescom ticket allows you to use local transport for free, thanks to the hospitality of the local Cologne government, which is well worth taking advantage of.

Set aside time on the business-only day on Wednesday to check out most of the conference halls. This is both to familiarise yourself with the area (it's huge!) and to take a look at the other stands. On all other days, these halls will be packed with eager gamers.

Look for the 'business only' entrances. All other entrances can be incredibly busy on public days, and you will likely be in and out of the conference centre regularly for meetings. 

There are a lot of entrances/exits. There's a good chance some of your meetings will be outside the conference centre, so make sure you take the correct exit! 

It really is a marathon and not a sprint! Although the three days (or five if you are at DevCom) will go incredibly quickly, remember to keep hydrated and get enough sleep at night.

Gamescom is a great networking opportunity, so stay healthy and take advantage of it!

Sharon Fisher

Global Head of Trust & Safety at Keywords Studios

• Plan and strategise.

• Know who you want to meet with, research their company and background.

• Be yourself, and stick to your values. You will meet with very smart and seasoned people. There’s no point in pretending you know it all; they will know you don’t, and you will lose a chance to learn and an opportunity to earn their trust.

• Be curious! Ask questions and chat with people around you; it's amazing what a “How is your day going?” can do in an elevator, bus or walk.

• Be kind! Come from the right place, care, be on time (apologise if you’re not), and make connections with others when possible.

• Have fun! We are in the video gaming industry because we like to play! This industry is THE best because of how fun, creative and bright we are, so enjoy every minute!

• Bonus: Hydrate! You’ll be running around, with little sleep, hot weather and pressure on, your body needs it!

Claudia Heiling

Co-Founder and COO at Golden Whale Productions

Gamescom is the ultimate gathering for anyone passionate about gaming, celebrating creativity, technology, and innovation.

When it comes to preparing for Gamescom, I always make sure to take a vacation shortly before the event to ensure I'm full of energy to hit the show floor and network.

I also plan which mixers and side events to attend, while remaining open to unexpected opportunities. After the show, I prioritise following up on conversations within a week, even if it's just with a thank you note. This step is crucial as it shows our respect for your time and contribution.

My final tip would be to think about how to be memorable to those you meet. Branded merch can work, but it's also too often disposable. We'll have a stash of the famous Austrian chocolate marzipan “Mozartkugeln” at the Golden Whale booth!

John Wright

Vice President, Mobile Publishing at Kwalee

• Make sure to group your meetings per location per day. If you’re doing them in the event hall, group them for the morning, and then do the ones in the hotels in the afternoon. It’s a 15- 20-minute walk between them, so if you go back and forth one after another, you’ll never make it.

• Prepare for a sweat box, keep cool, pack water and a hand fan.

• When ordering a Kolsch, order two at once, as the first one will be gone before you know it!

Jacki Vause

CEO at Dimoso

If you haven’t done this already, mentally prepare for a huge event. If it’s your first time, it can be overwhelming.

Set your expectations: Everyone is there to do business and at speed. Make sure you have all your aims and expectations clear, realistic, and prioritised. When you first get there, take time to acclimatise and get your bearings. As much happens outside the event as inside it, so get a good idea of your environment.

Many contacts can be made in the most unplanned of places: in a line or getting a drink at the pub. Be ready with your contact details (a business card or a readable QR code), depending on your preferences. A lot of people bemoan the new digital exchanges of contact details, so get some business cards printed if you can.

Also, whatever form of information exchange you use, make sure you make a note when you get the new contact. There will be hundreds of new people to meet, and making a quick note will help you remember your follow-up.

Personally, I like to share my LinkedIn QR code and send a ‘hello’ message straight away with a note on follow-up there and then.

Finally, have a search in advance for the parties. There may still be some room on the guest lists, especially if you are a customer!

Valeriia Diu

chief partnerships manager at Gameram

• Arrive early to visit key booths before B2C days start; otherwise, you may waste time in lines moving between halls.

• Wear light, breathable clothing and make sure your shoes are super comfortable. After my first day, my feet were blistered, and I nearly melted from the heat. So, dress wisely and choose footwear that will help you survive the conference marathon!

• If you’re interested in specific regions (e.g., Brazil, South Korea, UK), make sure to have a catalogue or website link for all projects they represent (indie PC, Mobile, Art outsourcing, etc.)

• Take pictures with everyone and of all booths that catch your interest (your PR manager will thank you).

• Update your LinkedIn name to include "Gamescom" and search for attendees using "Gamescom 2024."

• Schedule meetings with companies that interest you and outsourcing firms to discuss your needs; you might connect with someone immediately.

• Attendees fill out their profiles on the Gamescom biz app a week before the event, so the app might not be very informative, but you can find out which studios will be present and contact them on LinkedIn.

• Plan which evening events you’ll attend. Seasoned business developers usually have links to all the parties; aim to visit at least 2-3.

Meeting spots:

• Coffee spot: Cozy veranda near the conference

• Breakfast: French toasts

• Lunch: Pizza near the conference (The venue lacks good lunch spots; book in advance).

Antoine Jullemier

Head of Supply at Gadsme

As you prepare for the week ahead, make sure to get plenty of rest and organise your schedule. It's going to be a busy one, for sure.

If you haven't secured meeting spots yet and don’t have a booth, plan ahead. Navigating the venue can be tricky, and finding a quiet place to meet isn't always easy. You should also check the few locations around the venue or meet in town or at hotel lobbies when possible.

Finally, don’t miss out on the many networking events happening around the city after a busy day. It’s always great to relax and connect with industry peers in a more chilled way. Be sure to RSVP in advance if needed. Some popular spots, like The Marriot, are also well-known gathering places in the evenings.

Adam Smart

Director of Product - Gaming at AppsFlyer

• Plan - It's a crazy size event, look at where your meetings are, from my own painful experience it can be up to an hour's walk to get from one end to the other. Make sure you wear comfy shoes :)

• Most of the "conference" happens around the Hyatt area.

• Be prepared for delays flying back home, it always seems to happen.

Christian Lövstedt

General Manager at Midjiwan

The scale of Gamescom cannot be underestimated!

Download the hall plan on your phone and identify key companies, publisher booths and panels you want to visit. Like all events, register for networking mixers, parties, and gatherings in advance, and also leave room for some on-the-fly meetings.

Practically, the LinkedIn QR code feature is a good way to build instant connections. I suggest saving it as an image on your phone in case the Wi-Fi signal in the halls drops.

And try not to get too drunk at the networking events!

James Crabb

Head of Gaming Partnerships at Almedia

I’ve got a bunch of practical tips from years of attending Gamescom across my 13 years in gaming!

Practically, make sure to wear trainers or comfortable walking shoes. The E-scooter 3-day package is the best way to get around the city and from the city centre to the exhibition zone - I’m not getting a commission for this tip, promise!

Pre-arrange your meetings, but leave gaps in between; don’t underestimate delays and distances between meeting locations. Many companies will book their meetings at hotels such as the Marriott, Hyatt, Raddison or other hotels, so be prepared and know your locations.

Make sure to get into the B2C areas before the hoards arrive. You have pretty much full access to all booth and game demos without the long lines. Not to sound too boring, but make sure to go easy on the partying in the evenings, sleep well, and limit your alcohol consumption.

Do these, and you’ll be able to get up early and walk/jog the city, especially along the river. This is the No.1 best way to start your busy day! You will be fresh, energetic, and motivated, and you’ll get the most out of the event.