Investors and publishers want pragmatism, flexibility – and games that AI can’t copy
Game industry executives gathered at DevGamm’s Madeira Summit last week to discuss practical solutions to some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. Pragmatism and flexibility emerged as the conference’s dominant themes, bringing together executives from major companies including Epic Games, Bethesda, Krafton, Kwalee, Nordeus, GSC Game World, Tinybuild, and Curve Games.
A central concern discussed at the summit was protecting games from unauthorized AI reproduction—an increasingly urgent issue as artificial intelligence becomes more capable of mimicking creative work. Industry leaders sought practical frameworks and flexible approaches for preventing game designs, mechanics, and assets from being replicated by AI systems.
The summit also served as a pitch for Madeira as a premium investment destination, with the Portuguese territory highlighting tax incentives designed to rival established business hubs like Malta, Cyprus, and Luxembourg.
A notable trend reflected in attendees was the games industry’s shift toward Hollywood-style workforce models. A substantial portion of attendees represented work-for-hire and consultancy firms, indicating the industry’s growing reliance on shorter-term contractors and outsourcing rather than permanent in-house development teams. The mobile games sector, traditionally a bellwether for industry trends, continues to adapt quickly to these evolving business dynamics.