Reboot Develop

Reboot Develop
Name	Reboot Develop
Status	Active
Genre	Video game industry conference
Frequency	Annual
Country	Croatia

Reboot Develop is an annual video game developers conference held in Croatia that gathers industry professionals, independent developers, publishers, investors, and media for talks, panels, and networking. Founded to showcase game design, production, and business practices, the conference emphasizes creative development, technical innovation, and cross‑industry collaboration. Reboot Develop has hosted keynote presentations, masterclasses, and pitch sessions that attract figures from across the video game sector and adjacent creative industries.

History

The event began in the early 2010s as part of a wave of regional industry gatherings that followed conferences such as Game Developers Conference, Eurogamer Expo, Gamescom, PAX, and IndieCade. Early editions featured speakers associated with studios like Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft Studios, Ubisoft, and Electronic Arts, helping the conference grow alongside organizations such as Unity Technologies, Epic Games, and Valve Corporation. Over subsequent years Reboot Develop expanded its programming in response to trends highlighted at events like D.I.C.E. Summit, The Game Awards, GDC Europe, and Tokyo Game Show. The conference also mirrored industry shifts noted at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo), SXSW Interactive, and BAFTA Video Games Awards by incorporating talks on live services, virtual reality, and indie publishing.

Format and Programming

Sessions include keynote lectures, technical talks, design case studies, and roundtable panels similar to formats used by GDC Online, Develop:Brighton, and Quo Vadis. Programming often features masterclasses led by senior figures from studios such as Rockstar Games, CD Projekt RED, BUNGIE, and Naughty Dog, and workshops shaped by middleware vendors like Havok, CRI Middleware, and Wwise. Panels have covered topics ranging from narrative design with representatives of BioWare, Telltale Games, and Dontnod Entertainment to monetization strategies discussed by personnel from King (company), Zynga, and Rovio Entertainment. The conference schedule frequently runs alongside pitch sessions used by accelerators and funds similar to Y Combinator, SpeedUP!, and Techstars where developers meet publishers such as Devolver Digital, 505 Games, and Koch Media.

Notable Speakers and Attendees

Reboot Develop has hosted speakers and attendees who also appear at forums like TED, Montreal International Game Summit, and Nordic Game. Past presenters include creative leads from Valve Corporation, Bungie, Insomniac Games, Larian Studios, and Hello Games, as well as producers and designers affiliated with Capcom, Square Enix, Atari, SEGA, and Konami. Industry figures associated with awards such as BAFTA Games Awards, The Game Awards, and Independent Games Festival have participated, as have executives from Tencent, NetEase, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Microsoft. The attendee list has included representatives from academic and cultural institutions like University of Zagreb, University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and Bunka Gakuen University.

Awards and Competitions

The conference features competitions and award ceremonies modeled on events like the Independent Games Festival and Indie Prize, where juries composed of members from BAFTA, IGF, and editorial outlets such as Polygon, Edge (magazine), and IGN evaluate entries. Pitch competitions have tied into investment tracks similar to those at GamesIndustry.biz summits and accelerator showcases like Start-Up Chile. Prizes often attract interest from publishers including Team17, Paradox Interactive, and Focus Home Interactive, and the event has spotlighted indie titles later recognized at SXSW Gaming, PAX Indies, and Annie Awards.

Locations and Dates

Originally situated in locations influenced by European game industry hubs, the conference has been held in Croatian venues that echo regional festivals and shows such as Zagreb Film Festival, Dubrovnik Film Festival, and gatherings in Split, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb. Dates have varied across calendar years to avoid clashes with major fixtures like Gamescom, GDC, and E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo), typically taking place in late spring or early summer to align with European travel schedules. The format has sometimes included satellite events and meetups timed with international conventions such as Game Developers Conference, EGX, and Nordic Game Conference.

Impact and Reception

Reboot Develop has been cited in industry coverage alongside outlets and events like GamesIndustry.biz, Eurogamer, Kotaku, Rock Paper Shotgun, and GameSpot for fostering connections between indie developers and publishers including Devolver Digital and 505 Games. Analysts referencing market trends from Newzoo and commentary from executives at Unity Technologies and Epic Games have observed that the conference contributed to visibility for Eastern European studios such as CD Projekt RED and Croteam. Reception among attendees often compares the networking and seaside setting to boutique conferences like IndieCade and academic symposia at Game Developers Conference satellite events.

Organization and Sponsorship

The event is organized by teams and companies operating in the European games sector, collaborating with cultural and tourism institutions similar to Croatian National Tourist Board and regional partners. Sponsors have included platform holders and middleware providers such as Sony Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft, Nintendo, Unity Technologies, Epic Games, and service providers like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud. Partnerships with publishers like Ubisoft, Square Enix, Paradox Interactive, and Team17 alongside media partners including IGN, PC Gamer, and GamesRadar+ have helped program development and promotion.

Category:Video game conferences Category:Events in Croatia