Nika Nour

Nika is the executive vice president of Game Jolt, a social hub for 28M gamers. She is also the Head of Partnerships at Genvid Entertainment publishing massive interactive live events (MILEs), such as SILENT HILL: Ascension, Borderlands Echovision Live, and DC Heroes United. She is currently a diplomat-EFM living in Panama and a Ph.D. candidate in Informatics at the University of California, Irvine, researching the impacts of generative AI and deepfake videos on the Gen Z population. 

Mastering the Game: Funding, Publishing, and Community in 2025

Creating and launching a successful game in today's competitive market requires more than just a great idea. In the never-ending changes of the 2024 gaming industry, self-publishing and securing funding are more critical than ever. This panel explores the intricacies of self-publishing without leaving it to chance, delving into direct-to-consumer (D2C) strategies that are shaping the market for 2025 and beyond along with steps to secure funding from publishers and investors. We’ll also explore the importance of community and ecosystem management plays in sustaining your game's longevity, position, and success.