GAMES IN EUROPE
BUILT HERE
PLAYED GLOBALLY
AN INDUSTRY EVENT
Europe is home to one of the world’s most successful and diverse video games ecosystems. Games created in Europe are played by hundreds of millions of people worldwide – driving innovation, supporting high-skilled jobs, and contributing to Europe’s global competitiveness.
As the European Union advances new digital and financial policies, including the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act, this event will provide a forum on how policy choices can:
Advance Minor Protection and Play Empowerment;
Diversity in Business Models and Consumer Choice;
Support Investment and Innovation for the EU’s Competitiveness.
PROGRAMME
14:00
14:05 – 14:30
Henna Virkunnen
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT (2024-2029) | Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
TBC
As Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen is tasked with combatting the increasingly complex security threats facing the EU, whilst at the same time strengthening our external borders and our internal security. This goes hand in hand with her responsibility to ensure our freedoms, justice and democracy are strengthened too.
Mathias Gredal Nörvig
Chief Executive Officer – SYBO Games
Mathias Gredal Nørvig is a Danish author and speaker. Since May 2017, he is the CEO of SYBO Games. Gredal Nørvig is also a member of The Business Council of Copenhagen Municipality and acts as an ad hoc advisor to the Danish government on creative businesses and growth. Previously, from May 2014 to April 2017, he was the Managing Director of SYBO.
14:30 – 15:15
SUMMARY
This panel examines how the video game sector is approaching minor protection. It explores what a best-in-class minor protection ecosystem could look like in practice, respecting the right to play, the right to privacy and the right to protection. The panel will discuss sector-specific rules in lace via industry-led self-regulation, co-regulatory frameworks, and technical tools such as age assurance.
Dirk Bosmans
Director General – PEGI
As Director General at PEGI, Dirk Bosmans ensures that age rating system for video games keeps pace with technological and social developments. Promoting media skills / digital literacy in general, age rating awareness in specific – among consumers, especially parents, in cooperation with games publishers and developers, national trade associations, political stakeholders, and non-governmental organisations.
Mojang
Mojang is a Swedish video game developer based in Stockholm. A first-party developer for Xbox Game Studios, the studio is best known for developing the sandbox and survival game “Minecraft”, the best-selling video game of all time.
European Commission (DG CNECT)
TBC
The Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect) works on shaping Europe’s digital present and future. It supports, funds and regulates digital and frontier technologies to strengthen EU democracy and to make Europe safe, more competitive and technologically sovereign.
EU Parliament
TBC
The European Parliament (EP) is one of the two legislative bodies of the European Union (EU) and one of its seven institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union (known as the Council and informally as the Council of Ministers), it adopts European legislation, following a proposal by the European Commission.
Save the Children
15:30 – 16:15
SUMMARY
This panel explores the consumer choice that exists in the video game sector: a variety of platforms, types of games and access to games. It will discuss the diversity of video game business models — from premium titles and subscription services to free-to-play ecosystems. It will discuss how these have produced European globally successful studios.
Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and Youth (Germany)
TBC
ILKKA PAANANEN
Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder – SUPERCELL
Ilkka Paananen is the CEO and co-founder of Supercell, the Finnish games company behind hit games such as Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, and Brawl Stars. Supercell was the first European tech startup to reach a valuation of $10 billion. In addition to his role at Supercell, Ilkka helps other entrepreneurs as both an investor and as a mentor through his founder office called “Illusian”.
TODD GREEN
President – King
Todd Green has served as President of King since June 2025. With more than 20 years of experience across the media and technology landscape – including gaming, radio and television – he has a deep understanding of interactive entertainment. Since joining the company in 2013, Todd has played a key leadership role in the growth of King’s most iconic mobile titles.
Isabelle Perignon
Director for Consumer Policy – European Commission (DG JUST)
Isabelle Pérignon has been the Director for ‘Consumer policy ‘ since October 2023. She was, for four years (2019-2023), the Deputy Head of Cabinet of the former Commissioner for Justice. Before this position, she worked as Head of Unit ‘Procedural criminal law’ at the European Commission. Ms Pérignon was also a member of the Cabinet of several Commissioners, including Commissioner for Values and Transparency, the Czech Vera Jourova and former Commissioner for Home Affairs, the Swedish Cécilia Malmström.
EU Parliament
TBC
The European Parliament (EP) is one of the two legislative bodies of the European Union (EU) and one of its seven institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union (known as the Council and informally as the Council of Ministers), it adopts European legislation, following a proposal by the European Commission.
16:30 – 17:15
SUMMARY
This panel addresses the structural conditions that determine whether Europe can be a genuine global player in video game development and publishing — or whether talent, capital, and intellectual property will continue to migrate elsewhere.
Yves Guillemot
Chief Executive Officer – Ubisoft
Yves Guillemot is the co-founder of Ubisoft with his brothers Claude, Michel, Gérard and Christian. He currently serves as the company’s chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, Ubisoft’s teams of enthusiasts have successfully harnessed various technological breakthroughs to innovate and strengthen player engagement
Joel Eschler
Studio Head and Studio Production Director – Guerrilla Games Studio
As of April 2023, Joel Eschler holds the role of Studio Head and Studio Production Director at Guerilla Games Studio, makers of the “Killzone” series, and “Horizon Zero Dawn”.
Laurence Farreng
Member of the European Parliament – Renew
Laurence Farreng is a Member of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), and Substitute to the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and to the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI).
European Commission (DG GROW)
TBC
The Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is working to uphold and manage the Single Market for goods and services and to strengthen its governance. Its work helps ensure an open, seamless and resilient internal market, which is one of the cornerstones of European integration.
Government of Flanders
TBC
The Flemish Government is the executive branch of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region of Belgium. It consists of a government cabinet, headed by the Minister-President and accountable to the Flemish Parliament, and the public administration (civil service), divided into 13 policy areas, each with an executive department and multiple agencies.
17:15 – 17:30
17:30