How was Dev.Play 2025?
The Dev.Play conference is the most important event for the gaming industry in Eastern Europe
Vlad said in 2023 that Leo had a different vision for the GRIND project, namely that it would be a good idea to get in touch with prominent people from the local gaming scene to promote the magazine. For this reason, that year, our editor-in-chief went to the biggest event dedicated to video game developers in Romania – Dev.Play – along with myself, who had just joined the editorial team. Two years, two magazines, a larger community, and many launches have passed since then. We are grateful that today GRIND – the only gaming magazine in Romania – is recognised by both local developers and big names in the industry.
And currently, we're preparing some incredible collaborations for the new magazine, which is set to launch very soon. We'll just tell you this much: we have two interviews – Good Old Games (GOG) and John Romero, as well as a special GRIND V cover, created in collaboration with CD Media SE, dedicated to Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World.
For the uninitiated, there's nothing occult about this event. It's a conference where Romanian video game studios come to discuss various industry challenges, participate in educational workshops facilitated by top trainers, and do a bit of networking.
As every year, it takes place over two days and concludes with the prestigious Romanian Game Awards gala, where the best titles and developers are honoured for their work and sacrifices, all to put our small country on the map of the video game industry.
In 2023, the conference took place at the Novotel hotel on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, and in 2024 it was held in the Aula Magna at Politehnica Bucharest. This year, the event returned to the Novotel, and for the first time in the magazine's history, we had the honour of not only being recognised but also sought out by participants. We had the pleasure of interacting with developers from various companies such as: Ubisoft, EA, the new Amazon Games studio in Bucharest, Epic Games, AMC, and Enchanted Craft Studios.
I even interacted with colleagues from the legal profession. I admit I'm pleased that the legal aspect of video games is starting to be taken more seriously in Romania. Unfortunately, as this article isn't a review, I can't delight you with my usual retort. So, this time, we won't start with the story.
As always, the first day of the conference began with a speech by Cătălin Butnariu, followed by seven solid presentations and a panel, all closely related to different aspects of video game development, from financing to post-launch project analysis, or even how ideas should be presented to distributors to maximise the game's chances of release.
In the 6 intense hours of presentations (peppered with two breaks, so our brains wouldn't fry from the avalanche of information and the infernal heat in Bucharest), I was reminded of how complex this fascinating world is. More complex than the average consumer imagines. And sometimes, business aspects can weigh more heavily than the creative power of our favourite developers themselves.
The vast majority of the first day's presenters were Romanian, and the focus was on topics and advice directly applicable to local developers. Of course, there was also an interesting workshop led by Luke Savage, Education Advisor at Epic Games, where he shared ten essential tips with students for building a successful career in this vast industry.
Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the Dev.Play party at Expirat club. I'm sure everyone had a blast, but I promise I won't miss the next edition!
Source: www.facebook.com/dev.play.conference
The second day brought a lot of heat, good cheer, and a multitude of presentations by international guests. Big names included Philip Martin (from Hazelight, the studio that gave us Split Fiction, It Takes Two, and A Way Out), Phil Knowles (from Amazon Games), and even Nav Sunner (one of the best lawyers in the video game field).
Of course, there were also workshop sessions, discussing the role of women in the gaming industry, tricks screenwriters can use to create memorable stories, and the possibility of collaborating with Sony Interactive Entertainment – in a workshop organised by Lewis Speller, manager at SIE Europe.
The day concluded with the Romanian Game Awards gala, which took place, as on the first day, at the Novotel hotel.
At the 2025 edition, the big winner was Door Kickers 2, which received the award for Romanian Game of the Year.
In total, 12 awards were presented for different categories, as follows:
- Independent Studio of the Year – Edgeflow Studio;
- Game Development Company of the Year – Funcom Romania;
- Best Co-Development Project – Assassin’s Creed: Shadows/Ubisoft Romania;
- Best Support Services Project – Five Nights At Freddy’s Help Wanted 2/Amber;
- Best Media Support for Romanian Games – Sorin Badea de la Radio Guerilla;
- Games Industry Star Supporter Awards – Alexandru Pădure/Assist Software;
- Best Student/Game Jam Project – The Nancy Project;
- Best Social Change Project – Play for Democracy/Asociația Arden;
- Games Industry Star Support Award – Ioan Dăescu;
- Best Upcoming Romanian Game – Breachaway;
- Romanian Industry Legend Award – Marius Potârniche;
Thanks to DBO for the invitation and for all the support offered in organising the event, and also for all the effort put into showing the world that Romania is a true gaming hub, whether we're talking about game development, organising competitions and championships, or connecting different generations through the power of this wonderful hobby, which is at the very core of GRIND magazine.
