Navigating Uncertainty and Innovation: Key Takeaways from Pocket Gamer Connects Nordics 2026

Pocket Gamer Connects Nordics 2026 has officially drawn to a close, wrapping up an intensive gathering in Helsinki that once again united professionals from every corner of the global games industry. The event served as a critical nexus for developers, publishers, and industry leaders to share innovative ideas, explore the foundational elements required to build games that deeply resonate with players, and exchange practical advice on achieving long-term commercial success in an increasingly competitive market.

Throughout the multi-day conference, discussions spanned a wide array of pressing topics, but certain themes consistently dominated the conversation: the practical implementation of artificial intelligence, sophisticated direct-to-consumer strategies, and the continuous evolution of player engagement. A prevailing sentiment echoed across nearly every panel and keynote was that modern industry success relies heavily on more than just crafting a critically acclaimed game; it demands thoughtful, deliberate choices regarding how a title is conceptually built, launched, and sustained over its lifecycle.

These forward-looking conversations took place against a complex and sobering macroeconomic backdrop characterized by ongoing industry uncertainty, widespread market challenges, and persistent layoffs that continue to affect developers globally. Yet, despite these headwinds, the prevailing atmosphere at PGC Nordics underscored the remarkable creativity, resilience, and adaptability inherent in the games industry, particularly among Nordic studios who continue to push boundaries despite systemic pressures.

AI Can Widen the Scope, But It Shouldn’t Replace the Creative Work

Among the most heavily debated topics at the conference was the role of artificial intelligence in modern game development. Bringing a grounded and pragmatic perspective to the discourse, Luke Dicken addressed the audience on the realities of integrating AI tools into development pipelines, arguing that the technology is only worth exploring when it genuinely unlocks new creative possibilities, rather than being adopted merely because it currently commands intense industry attention.

Dicken cautioned that the broader games sector runs a distinct risk of chasing its own tail in cyclical, polarized debates over whether artificial intelligence is fundamentally good or bad. Instead, he advocated for a more focused approach centered on identifying precise operational areas where AI can provide authentic utility. This pragmatic sentiment mirrors a wider spectrum of opinions circulating throughout the industry, where perspectives range from deep skepticism to unbridled enthusiasm, with many developers actively seeking a pragmatic middle ground.

For smaller independent studios operating with constrained budgets, AI has already proven instrumental in enabling experimental concepts that would have previously been financially prohibitive or entirely out of reach. A recurring consensus among speakers was that the primary key to success lies in identifying the right tools and specific use cases early in the production process. During these formative stages, AI can significantly broaden the spectrum of ideas that a creative team can safely explore without sacrificing core direction.

Crucially, however, the overarching message from these discussions was that leveraging AI must never equate to outsourcing or replacing the fundamental creative work. Industry leaders emphasized that development teams must establish clear operational boundaries, ensuring that real human artists, designers, and writers remain firmly responsible for shaping creative ideas and retaining complete ownership of the final outcome. The collective counsel delivered at the event was neither to fear artificial intelligence nor to embrace it wholesale, but rather to methodically explore where it can authentically expand the creative capabilities of a team.

D2C Is a Product, Not Just a Store

The evolution of direct-to-consumer monetization strategies formed another major pillar of discussion at PGC Nordics, with experts stressing that simply launching a web store represents merely the initial step in a much longer journey. Daria Berdnikova captured this sentiment succinctly during her session, noting that mere existence does not equal performance.

Throughout multiple on-stage presentations, speakers reinforced the vital concept that a dedicated web store must be treated, built, and continuously operated much like a standalone product. Stores require consistent day-to-day operational support, technical optimization, and iterative improvements to provide consumers with compelling reasons to visit, utilize, and repeatedly return to the platform.

Achieving this level of sustained retention comes down to a deep, data-driven understanding of what players genuinely value. Tailored offers, personalized incentives, and thoughtfully structured loyalty programs can all contribute significantly to cultivating an ongoing, direct relationship between the studio and its audience, provided those initiatives are meticulously aligned with the specific preferences of the player base.

Berdnikova highlighted that securing that critical first dollar from a consumer remains one of the most formidable challenges for developers branching out independently. However, she emphasized that even after successfully clearing that initial hurdle, studios cannot afford to become complacent. Developers must continuously earn the right for players to return, rather than operating under the flawed assumption that an initial transaction guarantees a lasting commercial relationship.

Effective localization is also an integral component of this comprehensive product mindset. True localization extends far beyond simply translating text or converting local currencies at checkout; it requires a nuanced comprehension of how consumers within distinct regional markets actually behave and transact. Berdnikova illustrated this by pointing to a publisher expanding into Japan that successfully integrated PayPay into its checkout system. Because PayPay has become an increasingly popular payment method in the region, its implementation yielded highly positive results for the store’s conversion rates.

Olga Dokun further elaborated on how these strategic initiatives contribute to benefits that stretch far beyond higher profit margins. Embracing a direct-to-consumer model grants studios an unmediated relationship with their players, but it also necessitates absorbing the substantial operational responsibilities that accompany it, including dedicated customer support and the management of transaction refunds. A web store is fundamentally not a set-it-and-forget-it solution; it is an ongoing product and service that must consistently deliver value to both the players and the underlying business.

A Great Game Still Needs a Path to Players

The question of market discoverability and commercial viability was central to many panels, notably encapsulated in a session titled "Does the best game still win?" hosted during the event. The recurring motif across these conversations was that developing a successful, enduring game requires considerably more than just conceiving a strong, imaginative idea. In today’s saturated market, coming up with a promising game concept is rarely the primary hurdle; rather, the genuinely difficult challenge lies in successfully cutting through the noise, getting that title directly in front of targeted players, and engineering a sustainable framework that keeps them engaged over time.

Speakers frequently noted that the game design process itself might occasionally need to take a secondary position during initial strategic planning—not because intrinsic quality is unimportant, but because modern studios must proactively determine early on precisely who their target audience is, how those specific players can be efficiently acquired, and what ongoing mechanics will incentivize them to return.

Discoverability and retention concerns extend well beyond newly launched titles into the realm of live-service operations. Urska Leskovar of Outfit7 shared valuable insights during her session regarding live games, noting that when player engagement inevitably experiences a dip, developers should avoid the trap of reactively piling on additional content. Instead, studios must first conduct a thorough diagnosis to identify the root cause of the decline, whether it stems from onboarding friction, hidden flaws in the core player experience, or broader structural issues. For every proposed addition to a content roadmap, developers should rigorously ask what the feature actually adds and why players should genuinely care about it.

Ultimately, while a great game remains foundational to any success story, establishing a clear, deliberate path from that initial creative concept to the specific audience capable of sustaining it is equally vital in the modern gaming landscape.

An Industry Under Pressure, and a Community That Keeps Showing Up

The broader games industry has undeniably faced immense structural pressure in recent years, marked by waves of studio closures and widespread layoffs across international markets. As PGC Nordics took place, industry discourse was further sobered by news surrounding the closure of BioWare, a historic studio with decades of legacy deeply embedded in the history of interactive entertainment.

The Nordic region has proven far from immune to these prevailing macroeconomic pressures. The profound impact of the industry downturn has rippled across notable regional companies, including Star Stable Entertainment, Ubisoft Stockholm, and, more recently, Ubisoft’s announcement regarding the impending closure of its long-standing RedLynx subsidiary.

Despite these sobering realities, the conference also provided ample space to celebrate notable Nordic success stories that highlight regional talent and perseverance. Among the most prominent examples highlighted was Embark Studios and their major hit title, ARC Raiders, which demonstrated the heights attainable by regional developers.

Aleksander Grondal, executive producer on ARC Raiders, participated in an interview at the event, reflecting on the studio’s journey and noting his satisfaction with the close-knit, highly connected team he collaborates with. While acknowledging the challenges of the current climate, Grondal emphasized that studio growth does not have to follow a single, traditional trajectory. Instead, he argued that maintaining a strong, tightly knit, and collaborative team culture is a vital asset that modern studios should fiercely protect as they navigate an unpredictable industry landscape.