Subotron arcademy: Shifting Play

Shifting Play: Strategies and Attitudes to define new Play Patterns
instead of chasing the same as everyone else

Dajana Dimovska
CEO & Co-founder of Knapnok Games / Co-founder at Copenhagen Game Collective, Copenhagen

The game industry is no longer a niche arena for a certain age group or consumer segment. The rapid advance in technology throughout the years was followed up with new approaches and trends in the game industry – from game development, game design, hardware, interfaces to business models and distribution channels. And the gaming has become a diverse and a viable form of entertainment for players from all backgrounds and ages. The switch to open and diverse mainstream market has expanded the game industry, as well as increased the competition within the game industry. However, the potential for success is immense, competition is healthy and pushes game developers to rapidly adapt, keep relevant, and find their edge.
In this talk Dajana will share her personal journey of co-founding the Copenhagen based independent developer Knapnok Games and running it successfully for over 6 years. She will reflect on the rapid decisions and adaptations she had to do and challenges to overcome in order to put Knapnok on the world map of game development. Knapnok started with young passionate and talented, but inexperienced team of developers, which Dajana turned into strength in the company. The strong focus in Knapnok has been in finding its edge by building a creative culture within the company and defining new play patterns, while the business strategies are stimulating this approach.
Dajana will also touch upon on the topic of future of games and what play spaces have immense potential for exploration and success.

Kurzbiographie
Dajana is President of Hexblade, part of a newly merged entertainment company with a focus on bridging the physical and digital worlds of play. She is also CEO and Co-founder of KnapNok Games, an award winning Danish console games studio. Beyond this, as a co-founder of the Copenhagen Games Collective and one of the founders of the world wide Game Jam movement, she remains committed to helping to build the indie community.