NEXUS Executive Forum Agenda

Friday 25th September, Marriott Aloft Hotel, The Liberties, Dublin, D08 XK58

NEXUS Forum is an intimate gathering of senior leaders shaping the future of the games industry.

The event is curated for founders, C-suite executives and industry stakeholders, allowing for candid conversations, forward-looking insights and strategic relationship building.

Through senior industry speakers and moderated roundtables, NEXUS Forum creates space for bold ideas and strategic alignment that explore the industry’s next chapter. Executive Forum ticket required. 

08.45: Registrations Open

09.30: Welcome & Introductions

 – Dean Takahashi, Editorial Director at GamesBeat

09.40: Inflection Point – The Future of Games

 – Mikkel Weider, Group CEO at everplay Group

 – Dean Takahashi, Editorial Director at GamesBeat (Moderator)

Dean Takahashi of GamesBeat sits down with Mikkel Weider, Group CEO of everplay, to examine where the industry is heading—and what it will take for leaders to navigate what comes next. The conversation will explore the forces reshaping games today, from AI and platform dynamics to investment, consolidation and changing player expectations, while looking ahead at the opportunities and challenges that will define the next chapter of the global games industry.

10.15: Following The Money: Games Market Themes for 2027

 – Rich Barnwell – CEO at Entity

 – Sarah Bogossian – Venture Partner and Head at Capital Formation at Elkstone

 – Nick Button Brown – Chair at UK Video Games Council

 – Patrick O’Donnell – Head of Technology Equity Research at Goodbody (Moderator)

Dissecting key themes that are driving shifts in behaviour by investors and operators in the games space.

10.45: Enabling Geo-Expansion through an AI-powered publishing platform

 – Avery McGill, Senior Director of AI Enablement at EA Games

11.15: Connect & Recharge Coffee Break

11.45: Roundtable Sessions 

Will AI destroy the games business (or just make us more productive)?

Roundtable Leader – Stuart Muckley, CEO at Code Wizards Group

AI is rapidly reshaping how games are designed, developed, marketed and played—but is it a threat to the economics and creativity of the industry, or the productivity breakthrough games companies have been waiting for? This roundtable brings together industry leaders to debate the opportunities, risks and unanswered questions, from jobs and production costs to creativity, IP and the future of game development.

This roundtable brings together games industry leaders for an open discussion about the opportunities and challenges AI presents, from game development and co-production to publishing, player experiences, talent and beyond.

Following The Money: Games Market Themes for 2027

Roundtable Leader: Patrick O’Donnell, Head of Technology Equity Research at Goodbody

Dissecting key themes that are driving shifts in behaviour by investors and operators in the games space.

Building the Future: How UGC is Transforming Games

Roundtable Leader: Daire Bohan, CEO at Bura Games

From new creative tools to emerging economies and player-driven experiences, UGC is becoming a defining force in the evolution of the games industry. Moderated by leading Roblox developer Daire Bohan, this roundtable explores how UGC gaming is transforming development models, what it means for traditional studios and how developers can harness the opportunities created by this rapidly expanding ecosystem.

Ireland and Games: Building a Global Games Ecosystem

Roundtable Leaders: 

Elaine Dowman, Board Member at IMIRT 

Peter Boyle, Tax Partner at Saffery

Ireland’s games industry has built significant momentum in recent years, developing a growing ecosystem of indigenous studios, developers, publishers, talent and supporting organisations — even as the global games market faces a challenging economic and investment environment.

This roundtable explores Ireland’s place in the global games landscape and the opportunities to build on its positive trajectory. 

This discussion will look beyond the current moment to how Ireland will continue to strengthen its position internationally, attract and retain talent and investment, support ambitious home-grown companies, and build an ecosystem capable of competing — and collaborating — on the global stage.

** Includes Lunch & Networking 1.00pm – 2.00pm**

Guinness Storehouse Networking Event

16:00 St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H

Take a 15 minute walk to the home of Guinness for an unforgettable networking experience. Embark on a fascinating journey through history and learn the secrets of pouring the perfect pint in the world famous Guinness Gravity Bar.