Game developers are embracing industry-wide transformation, with studios pushing the latest technology boundaries and delivering continuously updated gaming experiences that scale to tens of millions of players. AWS for Games aligns purpose-built game development capabilities – including AWS services, AWS solutions, and AWS Partners – against six solution areas to help developers build, run, and grow their games: Cloud Game Development, Game Servers, Live Operations, Game Analytics, Game Security, and AI & Machine Learning. Matteo is Senior Business Development Manager at AWS for Games, running business strategy for Benelux, Nordics, Iberia and Italy. He spent almost 6 years at AWS, 4.5 of them working exclusively with games companies, ranging from early-stage indies to established AAA publishers. His biggest satisfaction has been to see companies develop and grow to achieve worldwide acclaim within the span of time he worked with them. He plays games since he is 6, every genre covered and a special love for platforms, RPGs and adventure titles made in Japan.

Massive environments, complex materials and effects, intense simulations and show specific requirements are not uncommon in VFX production. Dealing with these different complex aspects of production effectively requires specialized rendering software. This talk will give an overview of the rendering technology used in production at Wētā FX. The audience will get a deep dive into Gazebo, the real-time rendering software developed by Wētā Digital, which is used throughout the production pipeline, from on-stage pre-visualization all the way to compositing. This session will also discuss the challenges in real-time rendering for VFX and will highlight some of the similarities and differences between the technology used for game and VFX production. Matthieu Delaere is a rendering researcher at Wētā Digital, part of Unity Technologies, which is the former tools development division of Wētā FX. Wētā FX is a digital visual effects company based in Wellington, New-Zealand and is known for its work on award winning films such as The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar, and Avatar: The Way of Water, among others. As part of the Gazebo team, Matthieu focuses on high fidelity real-time rendering and hybrid shading for visual effects. Prior to joining the VFX industry he was part of the DAE staff as both a teacher and researcher, specializing in real-time ray tracing for game development.

As the world of media and entertainment rapidly evolves, it's becoming increasingly clear that the lines between traditional forms of entertainment and gaming are becoming more blurred. With major streaming services such as Netflix investing heavily in gaming, the landscape is changing fast, and it's an exciting time for those who are curious about the future of interactive entertainment. Nika Nour, the Head of Partnerships at Genvid, is at the forefront of this revolution. She has been instrumental in forging relationships with game developers, publishers, and IP holders, with a particular focus on producing and publishing massive interactive live events (MILEs). Through extensive experience and leadership, Genvid Entertainment is helping to pioneer this new form of entertainment that merges games and media and is excited to share unique insights with audiences at Unwrap festival. In her presentation, Nika will explore the convergence of media and gaming, and delve into the ways in which this changing landscape is transforming the industry. She will discuss the latest trends and developments, and highlight the opportunities that are emerging for game developers and other industry professionals. Whether you're a seasoned developer, a media professional, or simply someone with an interest in the future of entertainment, Nika's presentation is sure to be both informative and inspiring. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the exciting world of interactive entertainment from one of its leading voices.