It’s that time of the year again to get excited about summer gaming events. For Technicolor Games, Develop:Brighton and Gamescom are the first on this summer’s menu.
Technicolor Games’ Business Development Manager for Europe, Kasim Rehman, took some time out of his busy schedule to talk event expectations, weigh in on industry morale and give us a teaser into Gamescom preparations.
What can we expect from Develop:Brighton this year?
First up is Develop:Brighton, the iconic seaside event held for all those in game development to catch up and talk Gaming business. I can attest to this, it’s an excellent place for the UK industry to get together.
I’m really looking forward to reuniting with some old faces, as well as meeting some new ones and learning about the many exciting projects on the horizon. I’m also a fan of the various and unique charitable initiatives that Develop hosts, it’s an all-round great vibe and plus, who doesn’t have a good time in Brighton during the summer?
Can you provide some insight into the current state of the Gaming industry?
I think that it’s fair to say, that there is still much uncertainty across the entire Games industry, leading to widespread anxiety and caution. However, during the recent Summer Games Fest we were treated to so many great-looking games with some big titles due out before the end of the year. This for me personally, reignited some excitement about not only what’s in store for the rest of 2024 but for the next year to come. We saw such an extensive and broad range of games from so many talented developers, and it’s this resilience which makes the Gaming industry so fantastic to be a part of.
Gamescom is next on the list for you, how are your preparations coming along?
Gamescom kicks off in August, and I can’t wait! I’m looking forward to seeing how Gamescom has changed since the last time I was there, back in 2019. There is always such a diverse and wide range of games and demonstrations on display, so it’s definitely a highlight on the event calendar.
At this stage in time, my Gamescom preparations have already started. They usually begin with finding out who is coming from the furthest away. Gamescom provides a rare opportunity to meet companies from places that we might not usually see at regular European shows. For instance, it gives me a chance to catch up with Aussies and New Zealanders as well as companies from Asia, which is always fun and exciting.
What advice would you give to Industry professionals attending Gamescom for the first time?
I think it’s always best to have some kind of plan in place for meetings, especially for Gamescom, given the size of the event. However, I’ve learned to be flexible and to go with the flow in most cases. Not being too rigid in your schedule and allowing for adaptability does better than trying to fill up every possible minute with a meeting.
What do you hope to achieve from both these events?
I hope to have built long-lasting partnerships that all started with a meeting at either of these events.
If you would like to get in touch with Kas or any of the Business Development team, you can contact them here.
