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Newly revealed Nordic Game speaker line-up to include Planet of Lana devs

Nordic Game 2026 has announced more speakers for its Malmö conference, including developers from Planet of Lana and a new programme track focused on artificial intelligence. The event is scheduled for 26–29 May at Slagthuset, with talks covering game development, publishing, design and emerging technology.

Image credit: Nordic Game

Nordic Game 2026 speaker line-up

Adam Stjärnljus and Klas Eriksson of Wishfully, the studio behind 2023’s Planet of Lana and its recently released sequel, will discuss the game’s development across three decades. Their session will explore how a creative project takes shape over time and what it means to continue believing in an idea through years of work.

Other newly announced sessions will offer practical perspectives from across the industry:

  • Juliette Auverny-Bennetot of Raw Fury/Combined Effect will examine the changing rules of game publishing, including what publishers look for and how deals are made.
  • Trine Laier of Those Eyes, the studio behind Real Vampires, will discuss reworking familiar mechanics and player expectations to create surprising gameplay and stronger emotional connections.
  • John Dower, whose previous work includes Rockstar Games and Saber Interactive, will lead a panel on motion capture in modern game development.
  • Amanda Gardfors Granberg and Alexander Benitez of Windup Games, the studio developing Hela, will focus on player-first design and creating meaningful gameplay loops.

They join previously announced speakers including DICE development director Anna Norrevik, who will discuss collaboration between four studios on Battlefield 6, and Embark Studios design director Gerardo Basurto, who will talk about Arc Raiders. For attendees planning their schedules, the programme brings together sessions on both production methods and creative decision-making.

Nordic Pitch will also return, giving developers three minutes to present their games. The event’s Games Industry Network combines a business-to-business social network, an industry database, event matchmaking and private community spaces.

Nordic Game 2026 introduces an AI Track

The conference’s first AI Track is curated by ImmerSynth Inc. Its announced speakers include Alastair Chamorro and Alexander Chamorro of Infinity Fiction, Jeff Gardiner of Something Wicked Games, and John Clark, former executive vice president of publishing at Sega Europe and an advisor to Infinity Fiction.

The group’s session, “Human-Led AI: the Future of Role Playing Games,” will explore how human-led design can use AI to expand storytelling and gameplay while protecting intellectual property, narrative integrity and player trust. The focus on human direction makes the talk relevant to developers assessing where AI tools may support creative work.

Additional AI sessions will address studio operations, player safety and quality assurance. Odd Latent CEO and co-founder Tatu Petersen-Jessen will discuss building an AI-native studio. Felixa CEO Ewa Antczak will cover the psychology and technology behind safer online spaces, while Nunu AI CEO Jan Schnyder will assess what AI-driven game testing can and cannot do today.

What attendees can expect

Nordic Game expects more than 3,000 attendees in 2026, and its showcase hall is set to feature more than 100 indie games. These figures offer a useful sense of the event’s scale for developers and visitors considering travel or schedule plans. Ticket information in the announcement included a €100 discount through 30 April.

Overall, Nordic Game 2026 brings together talks on established development practices and newer tools, alongside opportunities to discover independent games and connect with industry peers. Anyone planning to attend should check the latest programme and ticket details before making arrangements, as event information can change.

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