NEXUS Games Conference Agenda

Thursday 24th September, Aviva Stadium, Landsdowne Road, Dublin 4 D04 K5F9

NEXUS Games Conference 2026 provides a compelling lineup of insightful panels, hands-on roundtables and Meet To Match networking designed to inspire and equip games industry stakeholders to deal with the incredible opportunities within the global gaming sector.

08.30: Registrations Open

Live Stage Schedule 

09.30: Welcome & Introductions

 – Elaine Dowman, Board Member at IMIRT 

09.45: A Lifetime in Games: A Conversation with Don Daglow

 – Don Daglow, President at Sausalito Games

 – Dean Takahashi, Editorial Director at GamesBeat (Moderator)

Join legendary games industry pioneer Don Daglow for an intimate fireside chat moderated by renowned games journalist Dean Takahashi. Drawing on a career spanning the earliest days of video games through today’s global industry, hear insights from decades of innovation, leadership and change. Together, they’ll discuss the evolution of game development, emerging technologies, shifting business models and what the future holds for the global games industry.

10.15: Navigating the Funding Maze: How Times are Changing

 – Nick Button Brown, CEO at UK Video Games Council

 – Erla Arnadottir (Moderator)

An honest look at the current funding environment, covering changing publisher, VC and angel investor dynamics and strategies for studios seeking capital in a challenging landscape.

10.45: From Ireland to the World: Key Elements for a Successful Global Games Hub

 – Colm Larkin, CEO at IMIRT

 – Katie Thurston, VP Adtech & Gaming at IDA Ireland

 – Kristian Roberts, CEO at Nordicity

 – Patrick Sweeney, Founder at Interactive Entertainment Law Group (Moderator)

As Ireland’s games sector experiences a period of continued growth and transformation, driven by a thriving local ecosystem of talent, creativity, investment and innovation, this panel brings together key voices from across the games industry to discuss the industry’s uncertain trajectory, the opportunities and pitfalls ahead and the role that Ireland can play in shaping the future of interactive entertainment.

The panel will look at the elements necessary to establish, maintain and grow a games ecosystem as well as look at the successes (and failures) of other countries in nurturing their local game communities.

11.15: Connect & Recharge Coffee Break

11.45: It’s Not About Making Games Anymore

 – Tim Campbell, Principal at Strategic Alternatives

Thoughts on navigating the evolving games industry landscape.

12.15: The Future Game Developer: What AI Changes, and What It Doesn’t

 – Kelly Vero, CEO at NAK3D

The games industry has always evolved through new tools, from game engines to procedural generation. Artificial intelligence is simply the next step—but what does that mean for the people making games?

This session explores how AI is changing game development and, just as importantly, what it cannot replace. From design and art to engineering and storytelling, we’ll look at how developers can use AI to enhance their creativity, improve their workflows, and build better games, while recognising that imagination, critical thinking and human insight remain at the heart of great game development.

Rather than asking whether AI will replace developers, this talk asks a more useful question: how can developers use AI to become better designers, artists, engineers and storytellers?

12.45: NEXUS Lunch + Networking

13.45: Stories from the Frontline: 2K, 10Six Games, and 3 Decades of Industry Evolution

 – Susan Cummings, CEO at 10six Games

 – Tracey McGarrigan, CEO, at ANSIBLE Strategic Partners (Moderator)

Industry veteran Susan Cummings (Co-Founder, 2K Games; CEO, 10Six Games) takes the stage to share a candid look at her 30-year journey through games. Tracey McGarrigan (Founder & CEO, Ansible Strategic Partners) will be asking the tough questions, extracting Susan’s hard-earned wisdom and stories you haven’t heard before, from setting up 2K and making major publishing bets to building games at the edge of AI technology today.

14.15: Build the Game, Build the Audience; Traction, Capability, and the Path to Publishing

 – John Fuller, VP of Product at Avalanche Studios

 – Liam Wiltshire, VP – General Manager at Tebex

 – John Clark, Strategic Advisor at Odeon Interactive (Moderator)

Making a great game is no longer enough. In today’s market developers need to demonstrate that an audience exists long before launch- and often before a publisher or other partner is prepared to back the project.

But how do you actually build that evidence? No single metric provides the answer. Community, wishlists, playtests, creators, content and engagement all play a role, while developers increasingly need to understand how these elements work together.

This panel moves beyond what developers are told they need and explores how to actually build it; when to start, what to prioritise, how to create meaningful traction, build and commercialise direct player relationships, and how these capabilities strengthen the case for publisher support or, where appropriate, take greater responsibility for publishing yourself.

15:00 NEXUS Best Pitch in assoc. with IMIRT

Eight of Ireland’s leading game studios take the stage to pitch their games to a panel of industry-leading judges. Each studio will have the opportunity to showcase its vision, gameplay, creative ambition and commercial potential, offering a compelling snapshot of the talent and innovation shaping Ireland’s games industry.

Expect bold ideas, sharp pitches and expert perspectives as our judges assess each project and explore what it takes to turn a great game concept into a standout market success.

Games From Ireland Showcase

09.00 – 17:00: Don’t miss the Games From Ireland Showcase, delivered in partnership with IMIRT. Meet leading Irish studios and get hands on with their latest projects. Located in the Main Atrium.

Meet To Match Networking at NEXUS

09.00 – 17:00: Arrange meetings and build relationships via Meet To Match app in our dedicated meetings space in the Presidents Suite. 

NEXUS Mixer

18.00: The Bath Pub, 26 Bath Avenue, Dublin 4 D04 X7P8 (adjacent to The Aviva venue)