Games First @gamesfirst

Games First 2026 may be over, but we're still thinking about the conversations, ideas, and demos that filled the day. Here's a look back. What stuck with you the most? #GamesFirst #gf26

And that’s a wrap on Games First 2026! A big thank you to every attendee, speaker, and partner who joined us in Helsinki today. Thanks for being part of it. See you next time.

Your new side quest: Games First Bingo. Meet someone new. Try a game you wouldn't normally play. Ask a speaker a question. Complete challenges throughout the day, get 4 in a row, and win prizes. Get your Bingo card by scanning the QR code on your badge. #GamesFirst #gf26

We all have our gateway game. Emilia Russell started with the N64 and games like Banjo-Kazooie, Pokémon Stadium, and GoldenEye. For James Back, it was PC shareware classics like Commander Keen, Crystal Caves, and Hocus Pocus. Funny where games can take you. #GamesFirst #gf26

15+ selected demos. 3 showcase sessions. Throughout the day, Games First will feature more than 15 selected game demos across three showcase sessions. Got something you'd like to share too? The Demo Area is open to everyone. Bring your device, connect it to a TV, and show fellow developers your game. Come ready to discover something new. #GamesFirst #gf26

Chris Melissinos thinks the next big shift in games is still ahead of us. See you at Games First, June 4th in Helsinki. #GamesFirst #gf26

Your workspace for June 4th: The Cable Factory. We’re busy prepping for your Games First 2026 experience. Expect great coffee, incredible people, and inspiring talks and demos. ✨☕👥 See you soon in Helsinki! Photo: Cable Factory cultural centre / Vertti Luoma. #GamesFirst #gf26

June 4th, 2026

Today was incredible! Thank you all for being part of this year’s #GamesFirst!✨

/npcgen cozy lounge area 👀 #gamesfirst #gf24 #bitmagic

Welcome to #GamesFirst!👾

Tomorrow is almost here! The event for game developers to meet, share, learn, and play. While Games First originated as a celebration of the Finnish Game Development community, we're glad to have game developers worldwide join us for a day of spectacle and casual authenticity. You can tune in for the action (great speakers and game demos) via the first-ever live stream of Games First here: supr.cl/gf24live starting at 10 AM Helsinki time. It's where games come first. #gf24

We are excited to welcome JENNIFER ESTARIS to Games First in just a couple of days! Jennifer Estaris (she/her) is a game director and climate activist. At ustwo games she directed Monument Valley 2's The Lost Forest, which petitions for forest conservation, and is game directing Monument Valley 3 which launches on December 10! Jennifer has over 20 years experience in game design, at SYBO (Subway Surfers), Nickelodeon, Disney, and social change indie studios, and speaks regularly about social impact in games. A Filipina-American immigrant in London, Jennifer is involved with UN’s Playing for the Planet (Advisory Council), the IGDA Climate SIG, and Extinction Rebellion, advocates for cyclists, and writes with her 11 year old. child. At Games First, we are taken on the creative, iterative journey of Jennifer Estaris and Monument Valley!

Here comes another speaker! Meet DISH ELDISHNAWY! Product & Growth Lead for Metacore’s hit mobile game, Merge Mansion, he helps shape the game’s product strategy and drives its growth. By merging creative innovation with data-driven decision-making (pun intended), he ensures the creation of features that captivate millions of players and keep the game on an upward trajectory. With over 14 years of experience in the digital entertainment and communication sectors Dish has contributed to companies like Unity, Rovio and Orange, while also offering strategic insights to firms like Netflix and Ipsos. What’s on the menu? Practical strategies that combine creative design and behavioral insights keep both the players and the business happy. Curious to learn more? See you at Games First!

Our next speaker is actually speakers! Two of them! MARKUS HJORT and MARKUS KIUKKONEN are co-founders of Bitmagic, and join the Games First speaker lineup to talk about co-prompting in next gen game development! With over 17 years in game-making, Markus K has built games for all kinds of studios, from startups to major international publishers. As the former Studio GM of EA Finland, he led the team behind SimCity: BuildIt. His passion? Creating games that grow with their communities, evolving through time. Tech wizard Markus H has over 20 years of experience, starting with programming on the Commodore 64! He’s led tech startups from idea to product and is a champion of open-source development. He also hosts a popular podcast on backend technologies in Finland. Can't wait to see Markuses on stage SOON!

Next up, please meet FERNANDA OLIVEIRA, the Art Director behind Supercell’s Brawl Stars. With 17 years of experience in Concept Art, Storyboarding, Character Design, and Animation, she’s worked in Advertising, Animation, and Mobile Gaming, spending the last seven focusing on mobile games and leading the creative vision for Brawl Stars. In her talk, “Making of a Brawler – Character Creation for Brawl Stars,” Fernanda dives into her journey since joining the Brawl Stars team in 2021. She’ll reveal how she helped solidify the creative pillars that keep the game’s universe cohesive, while developing fresh and exciting characters. Drawing on her love of humor, nostalgia, and 80s movies, Fernanda explores how these elements shape the Brawl Stars world and build a lasting connection with players. Expect an inspiring session from one of gaming’s top creative talents!

With GF24 around the corner next week, let’s count down with some speaker introductions! We’re thrilled to welcome TRIP HAWKINS! With a remarkable history in both the personal computing and video game industries, Trip was a driving force behind Apple's early success and went on to found Electronic Arts, shaping the gaming industry as we know it today. As the visionary behind EA Sports, he led the creative and product strategy that made it a household name. Trip’s insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of gaming are invaluable. He’ll be sharing his thoughts on the metaverse, Web3, cross-platform development, and more. Not only will you hear about his journey from Apple to EA and beyond, but you’ll also gain key lessons on entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the importance of emotional intelligence in the gaming world. We’re in for a masterclass from one of the true legends of the tech and gaming industries!

A couple of updates to our speaker lineup. Unfortunately, Jani and Linda from BitMagic couldn't join us, but fortunately, Markus & Markus can, and they will tell the BitMagic story!

Public Service Announcement. More about these brilliant speakers to come!

We're excited to announce our first speaker, the legendary Trip Hawkins! You have two more days to apply for a ticket to Games First 2024, don't let the window close on you!