Madeira Games Summit, powered by eGamesLab, was the first high-level event ever held by DevGAMM, set in the marvellous surroundings of the island of eternal spring on November 3-4, 2025.
The Summit was part of DevGAMM Portugal 2025, which consisted of both the Summit and the Conference in Lisbon. To view the highlights of the conference, please visit this page.
The Summit welcomed over 120 attendees from major gamedev companies, including Epic Games, Unreal Engine, 2K Games, Bossa Games, Electronic Arts, FunPlus, Krafton, Unity, and many more.
Monte Palace Morning Reception
Sponsored by Epic Games, the event kicked off at one of the world’s most stunning botanical gardens – Monte Palace. There, at a charming local coffee shop, we enjoyed the official start of the Summit with coffee and ice cream made by local producers, all while overlooking the breathtaking views of Funchal.
Workshops
While many attendees chose to explore the island’s breathtaking sights, others returned to Savoy Palace – the Summit’s main venue – for the first content sessions.
Two fully booked workshops kicked off the learning program:
- Rami Ismail hosted a workshop on creative direction
- Tim Browne, CEO of Bright Gambit, led a session on navigating relationships with investors and publishers
Welcome Dinner
The Terreiro Restaurant at Savoy Palace hosted a warm welcome dinner for Summit attendees – an evening that felt almost like a wedding reception. It was elegant, lively, and the perfect way to toast the beginning of an event that truly lived up to its promise.
Opening & fireside chats
The second day in Funchal focused on business, content, and new connections.
The morning began with several opening speeches to welcome and bring together all attendees.
Next came three fireside chats, brilliantly hosted by Lewis Packwood, Features Editor at GamesIndustry.biz.
The topics were highly relevant and sparked lively discussions and questions from the audience:
- Maria Sayans, CEO, ustwo games – Adapting to Change, Holding Onto What Matters
- Mariina Hallikainen, CEO, Colossal Order – Pros and Cons of Aiming for Stability
- Chris Petrovic, Chairman & Chief Business Officer, FunPlus – Lessons Learned from 20 Years in the Trenches
Roundtables
Roundtable discussions, sponsored by PassPortU, were fully booked in advance. This format gave high-level decision-makers a space to discuss the topics that matter most to them.
Both sessions were moderated by experts from Electronic Arts, Krafton, Vivid Games, 2K Games, tinyBuild, Epic Games, Bossa Games, and more.
Sunset Soirée
The final gathering of the Summit had to happen somewhere unforgettable – and the venue absolutely delivered. Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva offered a luxurious setting with an open balcony, incredible local food, and live music as the perfect final chord of the event.
For a moment, it looked like the sunset would hide behind the clouds, but it appeared at just the right time – as if Madeira wanted to remind us once again how magical this place is.
With Madeira wine, local cuisine, and desserts, the evening wrapped up with a real party to DJ beats. And let’s just say… two twisted legs (if you know, you know) are living proof that the night was a success. Get well soon!
Photos from the Summit
Feel free to use the photos for your posts on social media and tag @DevGAMM.
- Monte Palace Morning Reception
- Workshops
- Welcome Dinner
- Opening & fireside chats
- Roundtables
- Sunset Soirée
Madeira Games Summit will be back. Stay tuned for the announcements.
WHAT’S NEXT?
As announced at DevGAMM in Lisbon, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year.
- Dubai in spring – our first-ever conference in the MENA region.
- Gdańsk in June – the Polish edition moves to summer, finally giving us a chance to enjoy the Baltic Sea in warm weather.
- Lisbon in November – returning for the fourth year in a row.
With more events announced soon, stay tuned for the start of ticket sales and see you in 2026!