ABOUT US

About Games Ground

Games Ground is an international gaming festival that brings together the games industry and its community. Since 2023, we've welcomed thousands of developers, publishers, creators, business professionals, players and gaming enthusiasts to Berlin to connect, share knowledge and celebrate gaming culture in all its forms.

Across four days, our Business Days offer networking, talks, mentoring and matchmaking for industry professionals, while our Public Days invite visitors to discover indie games, esports, cosplay, live entertainment and interactive experiences.

Games Ground is more than just an event – it’s a meeting point for everyone passionate about the gaming world. Formats such as Mentor Ground, Publisher Connect, and the Indie Showcase offer hands-on opportunities for networking, career development, and discovering new talent and projects. With every edition, we continue to welcome more international speakers, partners, exhibitors and visitors from around the world.

ALEX MEJDA
B2B & Speaker Management
ALEX MEJDA
Game and XR Developer with a background in philosophy and game design. At Games Ground, I help shape the B2B program, curate the XR exhibition, and coordinate speaker engagements.
ALICE WENSCH
Communications Manager
ALICE WENSCH
Despite my university professors joking that studying German Studies and History would lead to a career as a taxi driver, I’m now the Communications Manager at NERDIC and Games Ground. After completing my degree, I entered the games industry nearly three years ago, and now I get to combine my passion for gaming with my profession.
ARJUNA "AJ" SATH
Head of Partnerships
ARJUNA "AJ" SATH
With over a decade in tech and gaming, experience supports independent studios by providing resources and enhancing career paths. Involvement includes community-driven initiatives like Beat Em Hub, Clash of Nerds, NerdAdvisor, and Games Ground. As vice-chairman of IGDA Berlin, the focus is on strengthening ties between Berlin’s gaming industry and the global community.
CHRIS MCCARTHY
Head of B2C & XR
CHRIS MCCARTHY
Co-founder of Beat Em Hub, focused on empowering independent game studios and fostering growth within the gaming community. Curates and collaborates on XR projects to support innovative studios. At Games Ground, invested in XR, eSports, influencers, content creators, and gaming awareness.
FERNANDA PAGANI
CEO & Head of B2B
FERNANDA PAGANI
A video game localization expert (ENG-ITA), has worked on titles ranging from indie games to AAA productions like Wukong and Frostpunk 2. Co-founder and CEO of Beat Em Hub, fostering inclusive gaming culture and community through events across Berlin and Germany. Also co-founded Games Ground, curating impactful B2B programs with diverse speakers.
GIANNI SOMMER
CFO & Head of Finance
GIANNI SOMMER
With Nerdic, Gianni supports nerdy projects through services including marketing, consulting, web design, and event management. The company also runs several in-house events.
JORIS SCHNABEL
Head of Exhibition
JORIS SCHNABEL
Co-CEO and Audio Director of Dexai Arts UG (for 3,5y), an Indie game development studio, based in Berlin. About to release first title in Q4 this year. Co-Founder and Event Manager of Beat Em Hub UG, organizing gaming and community events within Berlin and Germany.
KOLJA WIESE
B2C Curation
KOLJA WIESE
A gamer since 1989 and founder of Nerdistan 8 years ago, mastering the art of gaming events with expertise that could be called ‘Level 99.’
NICO BERGE
CEO & Head of Production
NICO BERGE
For over 15 years, experience in the event industry includes producing a wide range of events such as conferences, concerts, receptions, and sports and marketing events. In 2021 and 2022, Gamesweek in Berlin was produced, followed by becoming one of the founders of Games Ground.
SAMUEL JAMES COWIE
Exhibition Management
SAMUEL JAMES COWIE
Healing from the Music industry, Got into the Gaming industry through Beat Em Hub, Versatile is my second name!
TOM ACHSEL
Head of Communication
TOM ACHSEL
The career began at Games Academy, leading to early involvement with gamesweek berlin and support for the event. Experience in community management at Thought Fish deepened a passion for the gaming industry and its events. Today, the games industry feels like family, especially with the passion seen in indie game developers.
VEDRAN BERNOBIC
Technical Production
VEDRAN BERNOBIC
With over a decade of experience in event production, I started in the world of sound systems and LAN parties. From conferences and festivals to DIY events—you name it, I’ve done it.
DESIREE SYMANK
Influencer Partnership Manager
DESIREE SYMANK
A passionate gamer for over 15 years - driven by her own Gaming and E-Sports Projects. Starting as an event manager at NERDIC, she is now Managing not only the content creator area but also the influencers.
Yuna Avetysyan
Partner Manager
Yuna Avetysyan
As a full-time nerd for over 10 years, her fascination with the role that “play” fulfils in people’s lives has been her greatest driving force.

Studying game design was the logical next step. She deepened her knowledge by earning a master’s degree in management, primarily to help young teams turn their dreams and projects into reality.

Since graduating five years ago, she has been pursuing this passion as a project and partner manager as well as a consultant. In this role, she has already supported numerous indie studios in their business development, organised industry events, and is now part of the Games Ground team, where she also deals with partner support and collaboration.

Our mission is to connect and empower the diverse voices of game culture and development

OUR
MILESTONES

NOV '22

A large part of the future Games Ground team meets at a NERDIC event in Berlin – the first spark ignites.

APR '23

Games Ground is one of the winners of the Berlin competition “Innovative Formate zugunsten der Kreativ- und Medienwirtschaft”

May '23

Official founding of Games Ground GmbH – things are getting real!

MID ‘ 23

First location scouting: Alte Münze Berlin is locked in as the home of the Games Ground for 2023.

JUN-OCT ‘ 23

Planning Phase: Building partnerships, curating the program, making some magic.

NOV ‘ 23

First-ever Games Ground takes place in Berlin! 3 days packed with gaming, networking, talks & community vibes

APR ‘ 24

Games Ground hosts the Indie Ground at CAGGTUS Leipzig 2024, supporting the indie scene with a strong presenceFirst-ever Games Ground takes place in Berlin! 3 days packed with gaming, networking, talks & community vibes

JUL ‘ 24

GG Camp: Community retreat, workshops, team building & creating a part of our GG 24.

NOV ‘ 24

The second edition of Games Ground returns – bigger, bolder & even more international!

MAR ‘ 25

GG is back (and bigger than ever)! Our third edition goes live with 4 days of talks, play & connection.

APR ‘ 25

Indie Ground on CAGGTUS returns!

Contact us!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT US, YOU ARE WELCOME.

CONTACT FORM
Follow us
Drible IconDribble IconDrible IconDribble IconLinkedin IconLinkedin IconTwiter IconTwiter Icon
SHORTCUTS
Public Days
Business Days
FAQ
Press
Tickets
IMPORTANT STUFF
Imprint
Privacy Policy
NEWSLETTER

Get every single update and join our newsletter               

© 2026 Games Ground.

MEMBER OF: