As an indie game developer using the Unity game engine, I was thrilled to attend U/Day İstanbul 2024, Unity’s inaugural event in Turkey. Held at the İstanbul Marriott Hotel Şişli, this one-day conference was packed with insightful sessions, opportunities to connect with fellow developers, and plenty of inspiration for my ongoing projects.
A Day of Learning and Networking
The day began with registration and networking at 9:00 AM. It was exciting to meet other Türkiye-based game developers, exchange ideas, and discuss our projects. The opening remarks at 10:00 AM set the tone for the day, emphasizing learning, collaboration, and growth in game development.
Unity Engine Roadmap
The first session, The Unity Engine Roadmap, presented by Andrew Bowell, was a highlight. As a developer, staying informed about upcoming features and technologies is crucial. Andrew guided us through the innovations coming to the Unity Editor and Engine, shedding light on the future beyond the Unity 6 generation. The insights into upcoming tools and advancements left me eager to implement new ideas in my game, Save The Village.
Game Monetization Strategies
Next, Agatha Hood shared strategies in From Zero to Hero: Earning and Spending Your First Game Dollar. This session was invaluable, offering a practical approach to ad monetization and user acquisition (UA) strategies. As someone transitioning into game development as a career, understanding how to create sustainable revenue streams was enlightening.
Advancements in Web Gaming
At 12:15 PM, Marcel Pursche introduced us to significant advancements in browser-based gaming with Better in a Browser. The session covered best practices for Unity 6 and strategies to overcome hardware and marketplace limitations. It was fascinating to see how Unity is optimizing web-based gaming, which could expand opportunities for indie developers like me.
Profiling Tools for Game Optimization
After lunch, Peter Hall delivered a game-changing session on Boosting Your Game Performance with Unity 6 Profiling Tools. This was the most technical and impactful part of the day for me. As I work on refining Save The Village, learning about profiling workflows, memory optimization, and tools like the Memory Profiler will undoubtedly help me enhance the performance of my game.
Balancing Rewards and Monetization
Levent Can presented a deep dive into balancing player rewards with monetization in Rewarding Play. His insights on designing reward systems and measuring engagement were tailored for free-to-play games but offered concepts that could be adapted for my paid PC game.
Performance Tips from a Consultant
The day concluded with Nicolas Borromeo‘s session, Performance Tips & Tricks from a Unity Consultant. Covering both basic and advanced topics, Nicolas shared solutions for common performance pitfalls, from UI and scripting to memory management and Addressables. His expertise reinforced best practices that I can immediately apply.
Reflections
Attending U/Day İstanbul 2024 was an incredibly rewarding experience. The knowledge gained, particularly on optimization and profiling, will significantly impact my game development journey. Additionally, connecting with other developers in the industry was invaluable. Events like these not only inspire but also equip us to tackle challenges more effectively.
Unity’s first event in Turkey was a testament to their commitment to fostering a strong community of developers. I look forward to applying what I learned as I continue building Save The Village and am excited for future Unity events in the region.
