The European game development scene is gaining a new kind of gathering—FTW! (For the Win), a conference that’s breaking away from traditional event formats. Held in the heart of Belgrade on May 28–29, FTW! is emerging as a refreshingly personal, insight-driven space for real conversations and collaboration across the continent’s growing game dev ecosystems.
A Community-First Format for a Fast-Evolving Industry
Unlike the usual expo-style events filled with vendor booths and speed networking, FTW! puts substance first. It's designed as an open, community-oriented forum for developers, publishers, and ecosystem builders from Central and Eastern Europe, the Adriatic, the Balkans, and beyond. No matchmaking apps. No exhibition halls. Just authentic dialogue, mutual support, and the kind of knowledge-sharing the European game development scene needs now more than ever.
“It’s a place where you shake hands with peers, not sponsors. Where feedback isn’t filtered through sales pitches. That’s what the industry is really hungry for,” said one early FTW! participant.
This year’s program includes Game Slice, a new module dedicated to game publishing, featuring workshops, open discussions, and a live pitch session designed to support emerging talent looking for their first deals.
The Bigger Picture: Why FTW! Matters Now
The timing couldn’t be better. As outlined in the newly published Duamentes Gaming Report 2025, the European gaming industry is facing a paradox: booming global revenues—$189.3B across mobile, console, and PC platforms—yet a clear slowdown in player retention and indie studio survival.
“Only 7% of players return to a game by Day 30, and 38% quit during their first session. These numbers are sounding alarms across the industry,” said Maria Amirkhanyan, Head of Gaming Division at Duamentes.
Duamentes, a strategic consultancy supporting game developers with research and insight, warns that many studios are still relying on outdated development and publishing models—slow, costly, and disconnected from player behavior.
“What we’re seeing at Duamentes is that indie studios—especially in regions like the Balkans and CEE—are actually ahead when it comes to creativity and agility. What they need now is smarter publishing and better player feedback earlier in the cycle,” Maria added.
What to Expect at FTW! 2025
At FTW!, these challenges and solutions will take center stage. The two-day event is packed with hands-on talks, peer learning sessions, and practical debates on where the industry is heading. Topics include:
And with the Game Slice pitch sessions, new voices will get the stage they need to connect with publishers, without the friction of over-curated investor matchmaking.
A Pan-European Gathering with a Local Soul
More than 500 professionals from across Europe will attend, along with ecosystem leaders and agencies helping shape the future of gaming in their regions. From indie creators and technical leads to narrative designers, UX researchers, and strategists, FTW! is the kind of horizontal event the industry has been missing.
For Duamentes and others working at the intersection of strategy, UX, and product development, FTW! is more than a conference—it's a signal that the European game dev scene is ready to define its own path, one built on collaboration, insight, and smart growth.
“Belgrade is a perfect host for this kind of event. It’s accessible, vibrant, and packed with emerging talent. The region has always punched above its weight in game development,” said one of the organizers.
If you’re building games, publishing them, or investing in studios across Europe, FTW! is your chance to connect with those shaping the next wave of innovation—not in a booth, but over real conversation.
Whether you're an indie team looking to pitch, a publisher scouting fresh talent, or a strategist tracking player behavior—this is the moment to be in Belgrade.
FTW! – It’s not just a conference. It’s the future of European game dev, face to face.
Want to learn how to make better, player-first games? Download the full Duamentes Gaming Report 2025 or reach out to the team at welcome@duamentes.com.
A Community-First Format for a Fast-Evolving Industry
Unlike the usual expo-style events filled with vendor booths and speed networking, FTW! puts substance first. It's designed as an open, community-oriented forum for developers, publishers, and ecosystem builders from Central and Eastern Europe, the Adriatic, the Balkans, and beyond. No matchmaking apps. No exhibition halls. Just authentic dialogue, mutual support, and the kind of knowledge-sharing the European game development scene needs now more than ever.
“It’s a place where you shake hands with peers, not sponsors. Where feedback isn’t filtered through sales pitches. That’s what the industry is really hungry for,” said one early FTW! participant.
This year’s program includes Game Slice, a new module dedicated to game publishing, featuring workshops, open discussions, and a live pitch session designed to support emerging talent looking for their first deals.
The Bigger Picture: Why FTW! Matters Now
The timing couldn’t be better. As outlined in the newly published Duamentes Gaming Report 2025, the European gaming industry is facing a paradox: booming global revenues—$189.3B across mobile, console, and PC platforms—yet a clear slowdown in player retention and indie studio survival.
“Only 7% of players return to a game by Day 30, and 38% quit during their first session. These numbers are sounding alarms across the industry,” said Maria Amirkhanyan, Head of Gaming Division at Duamentes.
Duamentes, a strategic consultancy supporting game developers with research and insight, warns that many studios are still relying on outdated development and publishing models—slow, costly, and disconnected from player behavior.
“What we’re seeing at Duamentes is that indie studios—especially in regions like the Balkans and CEE—are actually ahead when it comes to creativity and agility. What they need now is smarter publishing and better player feedback earlier in the cycle,” Maria added.
What to Expect at FTW! 2025
At FTW!, these challenges and solutions will take center stage. The two-day event is packed with hands-on talks, peer learning sessions, and practical debates on where the industry is heading. Topics include:
- The rise of self-publishing and community funding
- UX and player-first design: why most studios are still getting it wrong
- Lessons from the Balkans: building sustainable studios in emerging markets
- AI, procedural generation, and the future of indie development
And with the Game Slice pitch sessions, new voices will get the stage they need to connect with publishers, without the friction of over-curated investor matchmaking.
A Pan-European Gathering with a Local Soul
More than 500 professionals from across Europe will attend, along with ecosystem leaders and agencies helping shape the future of gaming in their regions. From indie creators and technical leads to narrative designers, UX researchers, and strategists, FTW! is the kind of horizontal event the industry has been missing.
For Duamentes and others working at the intersection of strategy, UX, and product development, FTW! is more than a conference—it's a signal that the European game dev scene is ready to define its own path, one built on collaboration, insight, and smart growth.
“Belgrade is a perfect host for this kind of event. It’s accessible, vibrant, and packed with emerging talent. The region has always punched above its weight in game development,” said one of the organizers.
If you’re building games, publishing them, or investing in studios across Europe, FTW! is your chance to connect with those shaping the next wave of innovation—not in a booth, but over real conversation.
Whether you're an indie team looking to pitch, a publisher scouting fresh talent, or a strategist tracking player behavior—this is the moment to be in Belgrade.
FTW! – It’s not just a conference. It’s the future of European game dev, face to face.
Want to learn how to make better, player-first games? Download the full Duamentes Gaming Report 2025 or reach out to the team at welcome@duamentes.com.