Speakers - Game Days - International Videogame Festival

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Ricardo Padierne is specialized in world building, character design and illustration. He has done work for EA, Blizzard, Ubisoft, Sixmorevodka, Netease and many more.

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Pavel Hristov is a concept artist and character designer from Bulgaria, with a background in visual effects and digital art. He has a significant presence in the entertainment industry, contributing his talents to the video game sector and beyond.

Known for his detailed character designs and sci-fi concepts, Pavel has worked on various projects that showcase his skill in creating dynamic and engaging visual art.

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Richard Anderson, also known as “Flaptraps,” is a concept artist and illustrator based in London. With over 15 years in the entertainment industry, he has worked on high-profile projects across film, video games, and publishing. Some of his notable collaborations include work on Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor, and Captain Marvel, as well as video game franchises like Guild Wars.

His art style has earned him clients such as Marvel, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and 20th Century Fox. His studio, Flaptraps Art, is a reflection of his vibrant artistic journey.

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Jama Jurabaev is a distinguished concept artist, illustrator, and art director based in London, UK, specializing in the film and gaming industries.

With a rich portfolio that includes contributions to blockbuster films such as Star Wars, Kong: Skull Island, Ready Player One, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Jama brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the table.

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Iga Oliwiak, also known as “Igayah,” is a talented artist from Poland. Currently, she is living her dream of traveling the world as a nomad.

With over 8 years of professional experience in the entertainment industry, Iga has made her mark as an illustrator, concept artist, and art director. Her impressive portfolio includes renowned projects such as Magic: The Gathering, the critically acclaimed film Loving Vincent, the game The Wagadu Chronicles, and cover art for Stranger Comics.

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Danar Worya is a Rotterdam-based concept artist known for his outstanding work in the video game industry. He gained prominence after contributing to Horizon: Zero Dawn at Guerrilla Games, marking his debut in Triple-A game development.

Worya has since worked on major projects, including The Last of Us Part II, Uncharted: Lost Legacy, and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. His art is heavily influenced by films like Blade Runner and anime from the ’80s and ’90s, blending futuristic and gritty aesthetics into his designs.

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Simon Tosovsky is a talented concept artist and illustrator known for his work on major game franchises, he has contributed to projects such as Total War: Warhammer III, where he helped design key elements for the Chaos Dwarfs DLC and Cathay Siege Weapons. With a background in character and environment design, Simon’s expertise shines in his intricate sci-fi and fantasy artwork.

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Till Freitag is a freelance concept designer based in Berlin, Germany, known for his futuristic sci-fi vehicles, armor, and industrial designs. With a diverse portfolio, he has worked for notable studios such as Chromatic Studios, Karakter, Bungie, and SIXMOREVODKA.

His impressive digital paintings and 3D modeling skills, combined with a talent for blending realism with imaginative sci-fi elements, have earned him a solid reputation in the concept art industry. Freitag is also the co-founder of Randwerk Games, an indie game studio in Berlin, with their latest game “ABRISS – build to destroy”.

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Christoph Stryczek is a renowned concept artist currently working as Principal Designer at Karakter Design Studio in Berlin, Germany. With a focus on creating captivating visual designs for entertainment productions, he has contributed to major projects such as Game of Thrones, Horizon Forbidden West, and Middle-Earth: Shadow of War.

His work is recognized for its meticulous attention to detail and ability to bring fantastical worlds to life in a realistic and engaging manner.

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Kamila Szutenberg is a highly skilled freelance concept artist, known for her remarkable contributions to the film and gaming industries. With a focus on crafting expansive landscapes and character-driven pieces, she has worked with renowned clients such as Ubisoft, Warner Bros., and Wizards of the Coast.

Her portfolio includes work on notable projects like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Destiny 2, showcasing her versatility in creating both imaginative environments and detailed character designs.

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Antonio Esparza is a highly skilled character and concept artist from Spain, known for his impressive work in the video game and entertainment industry. He has gained significant recognition for his expertise in 3D character creation, using tools like ZBrush to bring imaginative and complex designs to life.

Esparza has been working professionally for several years, collaborating with companies like CGbot and Massra Studios, where his talent for creating detailed and fantastical characters shines.

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Filippo Ubertino is an Italian senior concept artist and 3D modeler, currently working with CD Projekt Red, known for his contributions to the video game industry. With a background in industrial design from Politecnico di Torino, he specializes in futuristic and sci-fi art.

Ubertino has made significant contributions to major projects like Cyberpunk 2077 and its expansion Phantom Liberty, where he worked on various original concept designs, from characters to vehicles and weapons

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Ognjen Sporin is a talented freelance illustrator and concept artist based in Serbia. Over the years, he has collaborated with major industry clients like Netflix, Blizzard, Marvel, and Wizards of the Coast, contributing to various entertainment projects such as video games, animated movies, and books. Known for his expertise in character and creature design, Sporin has made a name for himself through his work in fantasy illustration and visual development.

Beyond his professional work, Sporin also shares his knowledge as an instructor. He has taught at institutions like CGMA (CG Master Academy) and ArtWOD, and provides exclusive teaching content through his Patreon platform.

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Ashley Sparling is a highly skilled character artist with extensive experience in the gaming industry. He currently serves as a Lead Character Artist at Jagex and has previously worked at Ubisoft Quebec, where he contributed to renowned titles such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Gods and Monsters.

Known for his expertise in creating realistic hair for AAA games, Ashley has also developed a comprehensive course that teaches his unique techniques for producing high-quality hair and character models using tools like ZBrush, Maya, XGen, and more.

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Michal Sawtyruk is a renowned digital artist and illustrator based in Warsaw, Poland. He has built an impressive portfolio, with over 10 years of experience working in the entertainment industry. Sawtyruk’s work is characterized by vibrant, dynamic compositions that often blend urban and futuristic themes. He has collaborated with global clients such as DreamWorks, Axis Animation, and Netflix, contributing to high-profile projects in animation and game development.

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Peter Adamondy is a game designer and development lead at Triple Hill Interactive, known for his work on the combat game Die by the Blade. Inspired by classic titles like Bushido Blade, Die by the Blade combines traditional sword-fighting mechanics with a “samuraipunk” aesthetic, blending Japanese themes with futuristic elements.

The game emphasizes a one-hit-kill combat system, making each match a high-stakes battle where precision and strategy are key. Adamondy’s passion for recreating the thrill of sword-based combat has made him a key figure in the indie gaming scene

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Pavol Buday is a seasoned figure in the gaming industry, currently serving as Business Development Manager at PixelAnt Games and as an advisor for Reboot Develop, a series of boutique game conferences held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Banff, Canada. With over two decades of experience, Buday initially made his mark as a games journalist and later transitioned into PR, marketing, and event organization within the industry.

He is also the creator of the Game Conference Guide, a comprehensive schedule tracking over 340 global gaming events, showcasing his dedication to supporting and connecting professionals in the gaming world.

Bobby Wertheim is currently the VP of Partnerships at Curve Games, an indie game publishing company. His career in the gaming industry took off after a pivotal moment when he realized his dissatisfaction with his previous job.

This led him to pivot into gaming, where he has since contributed to major titles like Heavy Rain and Sonic Generations. His role at Curve Games involves evaluating and publishing games, where he leverages his extensive experience to help indie developers bring their visions to life

Boell Oyino is a French character designer and illustrator known for his work in video games, animation, comics, and manga. With a distinctive style and a focus on dynamic character design, Boell has contributed to various high-profile projects, including titles like Escape Academy, Crucible, and the game Astral Ascent. His work is deeply rooted in fantasy and stylized art, offering a broad range of characters that capture emotion and energy.

He has collaborated with major studios such as Amazon Game Studios and worked on several character design challenges and personal creative projects that further showcase his versatility in the digital art space. His portfolio reflects an impressive blend of both professional and personal pieces that highlight his passion for storytelling through design

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Mario Alberti is a well-known Italian comic book artist and writer, celebrated for his work in both European and American comic book industries. Born in 1965, he gained recognition for his contributions to popular Italian comic series such as Nathan Never and Legs Weaver for Sergio Bonelli Editore.

Alberti has also made a mark in the US market with his striking covers for DC Comics and Marvel Comics, contributing to titles like Spider-Man, X-Men, and Aquaman. His series Cutting Edge was a notable release in France and has been adapted for various international markets, including the US. With his signature storytelling and detailed artistry, Alberti continues to be a prominent figure in the comic book world.

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Félix Donadio is a skilled freelance illustrator and character designer who has been active in the concept art world for several years. His work spans various genres, with a focus on digital illustration and character design. A notable project in his portfolio is Lysfangha, a graduation project from Isart Digital, where he played a key role in art direction alongside Jeanne Plounevez.

Donadio’s work is characterized by its vibrant creativity, with projects ranging from video game art to freelance illustration commissions. He continues to be a versatile figure in the industry, showcasing his talent through platforms like ArtStation, where he shares his latest works and collaborations.

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Jozef Pavelka is an emerging talent in the gaming industry, known for his work as a game developer and illustrator. He recently gained recognition with the release of Felvidek, a role-playing game that was launched in March 2024.

Set in a low fantasy, alternate-history version of the Slovakian Highlands during the Middle Ages, Felvidek has been praised for its unique setting, dark storytelling, and stylistic homage to the 64-bit gaming era. Despite mixed reviews regarding its gameplay depth, the game has captivated players with its rich narrative and atmospheric visuals, reflecting Pavelka’s creativity as both a game designer and artist.

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Aleksandar Gavrilović is a prominent figure in the gaming industry, known for leading Gamechuck, a Croatian game development studio. Gamechuck has produced several notable titles, including the recently released “Paws of Coal” in May 2023. They are also developing “Trip the Ark Fantastic,” a significant project as it is the first Croatian game to receive funding from the European Union’s MEDIA Fund.

He has been a strong proponent of fair wages and employee rights, aligning his business philosophy with these values. From 2021 to 2023, he also served as the Secretary-General of the Croatian Video Game Developers Cluster, further influencing the growth and recognition of the gaming industry in Croatia.

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Vladimir Kovač is a key programmer at Fury Studios, contributing to the development of multiple critically acclaimed games. He has worked on several titles under the Kingdom series, including Kingdom Two Crowns and Kingdom Eighties, which are known for their strategic depth and atmospheric design. His involvement spans across various Raw Fury projects such as NORCO, Cassette Beasts, and Friends vs Friends. Kovač’s technical expertise and contributions to these games have solidified his reputation in the indie game development scene.

Martin Ostrolucký is the CEO and founder of Cassagi, a game development and outsourcing studio based in Slovakia, founded in 2017. With a background in the gaming industry, Martin has led his team to work on notable titles like Hell Let Loose and Star Wars Legion. Under his leadership, Cassagi has grown from a small team into a larger organization specializing in both art production and full game development for PC and mobile platforms. The studio’s work ranges from creating lifelike 3D assets to handling comprehensive game design and development projects.

Martin emphasizes building strong professional relationships with global studios and fostering local talent in Slovakia. Cassagi is also working on its own game IP, Tower Forge: Dark Defense, expected to launch in 2024, showcasing the studio’s versatility and ambition to push the boundaries of gaming innovation.

Lukáš Jandík is a Czech game designer with a notable career in the video game industry. His work has contributed to the development of creative and engaging game experiences. He has been involved in various projects across different genres, using his expertise in design to craft gameplay mechanics that resonate with players. His role as a lead game designer in the Czech Republic has cemented his position as a key figure in the local gaming scene, actively participating in projects and events that shape the future of game design in the region.

Patrik Kučavík is a Technical and Procedural Artist. He started his journey into 3D and CGI during his studies in Architecture. After working in the Archviz industry, where he developed procedural tools and workflows in various software packages, he fell in love with game development and Blender.

He is currently focused on proceduralism and building pipelines around Blender for the video game industry.

Co-founder at 4Boars, an acclaimed collective of trailer and advertising industry professionals. Recognized for successful advertising campaigns for Starfield, Star Wars: Andor, Jurassic World: Dominion, Tekken, and numerous other high-profile projects.

Co-founder at 4Boars, an acclaimed collective of trailer and advertising industry professionals. Recognized for successful advertising campaigns for Starfield, Star Wars: Andor, Jurassic World: Dominion, Prey, and numerous other high-profile projects.

Patrik Lukáč, a 31-year-old from Košice, studied at the Technical University and has been working in IT since his second year of studies. He began his career as a QA tester, later transitioning to programming, game development, and eventually game engine development.

Currently, Patrik serves as the Tech Lead for Greentube Slovakia. In this role, he focuses on introducing coding standards and best practices, ensuring that the company’s codebase remains well-structured and maintainable, aiming to prevent recurring bugs in their games.

Matej Kiralvarga is a graphic designer with a background in architecture. He began his career in the game industry at Culdron in 2002, specializing in level design. After a brief stint in an architecture firm, he returned to Košice to join Zenops, developing mobile games prior to the smartphone era. Since 2007, Matej has been with Greentube, initially as a graphic designer and now as a team lead, focusing on creating various game content while managing a talented team.

Outside of work, he is actively involved in civic organization, using volunteering to shape civil society.

Vojtech is an Art Director at MADFINGER Games, contributing to titles like Shadowgun Legends, Shadowgun Wargames, and Gray Zone Warfare. Prior to this, he served as an Environmental Artist at 2K Czech, where he worked on Mafia 3.

Martin emphasizes building strong professional relationships with global studios and fostering local talent in Slovakia. Cassagi is also working on its own game IP, Tower Forge: Dark Defense, expected to launch in 2024, showcasing the studio’s versatility and ambition to push the boundaries of gaming innovation.

Nikola Damjanov is a generalist 3D artist with 15 years of experience. He transitioned from engineering to interactive media early in his career. Starting with creating models, animations, and VFX for music videos and movies, he later delved into architectural and product visualization, graphics, web design, and interactive art installations. He found his passion as a game artist, continuously honing his skills by exploring new tools and staying updated on tech innovations. Currently working as a lead game artist at Nordeus, Nikola is dedicated to shaping the company culture through mentoring, hiring, and active involvement in game-art communities. He enjoys sharing knowledge and learning from others in the industry. He is a game artist by day, and a procedural tinkerer by night.

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Daniel Beňovič is a 3D rigger and technical artist based in Slovakia, with a rich background in motion graphics and animation, having created ads for major brands and television. His experience in crafting dynamic visuals has seamlessly transitioned into the gaming industry, where he now focuses on enhancing rigging and animation at Nine Rocks Games. Utilizing skills in Autodesk Maya and scripting, Daniel contributes to the game Way of the Hunter, enhancing realistic in-game movements and interactions.

Łukasz Łukasik is the Tools Director at Techland, with over 18 years of experience in developing tools and engines for various platforms and game genres. He is dedicated to creating stable, user-friendly tools that empower developers to enhance their creativity and productivity.

His expertise includes C++, C++/CLI, C#, .NET, WPF, wxWidgets, Qt, and OGRE. Łukasz has contributed to the development of several renowned games, including Two Worlds II, The Witcher 3 and its expansions, Cyberpunk 2077, and Dying Light 2. He is constantly seeking opportunities to grow, explore new skills, and work slightly beyond his comfort zone. His mission is to bring joy to developers and deliver high-quality games to players.

Simon Drapier is a talented digital matte painter and concept artist, known for his realistic and captivating environment creations. His work spans detailed digital environments and matte paintings that seamlessly blend realistic textures and lighting effects to build immersive settings, particularly for projects in film, television, and games.

Drapier’s portfolio showcases his dedication to creating visually compelling scenes, often drawing inspiration from both natural landscapes and urban architecture, with a focus on integrating photorealistic elements that enhance storytelling.

Piotr Krynski is a Polish art director and concept artist with a diverse portfolio that spans immersive environments and character-focused illustrations. Known for his work on personal projects like “City S-8” and “Ze Cosmos,” Krynski combines traditional art techniques with cutting-edge digital tools, such as Blender and Quixel, to build complex, photorealistic scenes.

His style reflects influences from games like Half-Life: Alyx and Dishonored, and his creations often include layered storytelling within his environments, aiming to evoke mood and atmosphere with every detail.

Mike Geig is a leading figure in game development education at Unity Technologies, where he serves as the Global Head of Evangelism Content. With a background as an indie game developer and educator, he’s recognized for creating accessible, high-impact learning resources that empower aspiring game creators. Geig is the author of Unity Game Development in 24 Hours, providing a structured guide to mastering Unity’s game engine. Known for his engaging teaching style, he continues to make game development approachable for learners worldwide.

Oleksii Sytianov is a Ukrainian game designer and writer, widely recognized for his contributions to popular games, including the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series and Metro: Exodus. With a background in narrative and design, he has been instrumental in shaping the atmospheric storytelling of these titles, which are known for their immersive, post-apocalyptic worlds inspired by Eastern European landscapes and lore.

Sytianov is especially acclaimed for his ability to blend gameplay with narrative, creating a distinctive player experience that emphasizes environmental storytelling.

Boundless Creativity of 2024