Playing Narratives x Shift2Games: S2G OFFICIAL RELAUNCH!

Shift 2 Games 05.12.2024.
Time 6 PM
Language English
Location base42, Skopje, NMK
Price Free
FREE ENTRY!

Playing Narratives x Shift2Games: S2G OFFICIAL RELAUNCH!

After inspiring and dynamic gatherings in Sarajevo, Tirana and Perast, SGA is bringing its regional tour to an end for the 2024 season! This time, it's a very special event, as the spotlight will be on our SHIFT2GAMES platform, and for a good reason. In cooperation with our partners from the region, and with the support of the RECONOMY project, this unique web platform for professional orientation within the gaming domain has been (de)localized in three more languages, with an additional BHS version intended for users from the entire region.

This event is SGA’s second official visit to North Macedonia, so we are mingling with the neighborhood community about a year after our previous meeting. MGI (Macedonian Gaming Industry Association) is one of our close partners from the region, with whom we maintain contacts and try to organize joint activities as often as possible.

MGI also got involved in the localization of the Shift2Games platform into the Macedonian language, so that the entire content of the site, where you can find detailed descriptions of 50 different positions within the game dev industry, with lots of informative resources and advice for all those who are looking for their career path in the domain of video game creation. The platform is intended for students, young professionals, high school students, or even parents who are involved in the career orientation of their children.

The platform was launched in the spring of 2023 in the Serbian language, and since then Career Days events have been realized under its auspices, which have been held so far in Novi Sad, Belgrade, Nis and Novi Pazar. At these events, the audience can hear inspiring and informative lectures about what it’s like to work in the gaming industry, but also talk directly with HR from local gaming companies, as well as with experienced art directors who do portfolio reviews for free.

With the support of the RECONOMY project, as well as partners MGI and the C4Communities from Albania, Shift2games is now available in as many as 4 languages: Serbian, English, Macedonian and Albanian, with an additional “universal” BHS version that can be used by those interested throughout the region. The new site will be officially presented at this event, which is the last in a series of regional gatherings that we have organized this year.

Like all the previous ones (Sarajevo, Tirana, Perast), this event jointly presents two interesting SGA projects – Playing Narratives and Shift2Games, each of which, in its own way, is aimed at students and young professionals who want to get professionally involved in game development. Three lecturers coming from Serbia and North Macedonia will look at different aspects of what it’s like to work in the gaming industry, and what some of the positions and processes look like:

• Milan Ličina, Professor, Metropolitan University Belgrade
• Milica Todorović, Associate Producer, Ubisoft Belgrade
• Ivan Sazdovski QA Engineer, Sindex

As the Playing Narratives mentoring program this year had the theme of climate change, Marjana Brkić, who is leading their international project Climate Europe 2, will address the audience in front of the CPN. After the program, join us at the networking party, and see the intriguing setup that will be presented colleagues from CPN.

Special thanks to Base42 for the hospitality, and DJ Gameover for the music selection!

***

*** This year’s program would not be possible without the support of the RECONOMY* project, as well as dedicated partners from the industry – the company 3Lateral as part of Epic Games and the program partner Center for the Promotion of Science (CPN). In addition to them, the Goethe-Institut and the French Institute in Serbia are participating in the project.

* RECONOMY is a regional inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish Development Agency Sida, which is implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, in cooperation with the organization Help – Hilfe zir Selbsthilfe e.V. and other partners in the countries of the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership.

Marjana Brkić,
Program Manager, Nordeus Foundation
About the lecturer

Currently Marjana has taken the position of Program Manager аt Nordeus Foundation, and is also an External Advisor at the Center for the Promotion of Science. She is a professional with more than 10 years of experience in the field of project management in science and climate literacy.

Marjana graduated Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, and then completed a Master’s degree in Management and organization at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade. She obtained a joint PhD at the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology, University of Ghent, Belgium, and at the Faculty Biology, University of Belgrade, focusing on the field of neuroscience.

 

Milica Todorović,
Producer, Ubisoft Belgrade
About the lecturer

Milica Todorović is a Producer with almost 15 years of experience in the gaming industry. She began her career in artistic roles, then discovered her calling in production and team management. After experiences in indie and mobile games, in recent years she has shifted her focus to AAA. She currently works as a Producer on Assassin’s Creed games. Known for her creative approach, pushing boundaries and dedication to creating experiences that leave a strong impression on the players and teams she works with.

Milan Ličina,
Professor, University Megatrend / Vidra
About the lecturer

Milan Ličina is a visual artist, born in 1990 in Belgrade.

In his practice he operates across the fields of emerging technologies and experiential design, using the intersection of art, design and technology as a platform to create unique narratives, with extensive experience in new media, computer graphics, creative industries, event and exhibition design.

He is active as a lecturer at the Metropolitan University and at the Crater Training Center, and in addition collaborates with Galerija12+, the Center for the Promotion of Science and many other initiatives.

He is one of the few Unreal Engine Authorized Trainers in our country.

Relja Bobić,
Program Director, SGA
About the lecturer

Ever since the early 2000s, Relja Bobić was the author of numerous cultural and artistic projects realized in Serbia, as well as across Europe, in USA and Canada. Active as an independent curator, arts and events manager, music promoter, radio author and translator, he initiated and took part in 100s of events, co-founded four international festivals, curated many exhibitions, conferences, publications and informal education projects.

In 2012, he was one of the co-founders of Nova Iskra creative hub, and later on the European Creative Hubs Network. He enjoys designing physical and cognitive spaces within which young creatives can collaborate and create in new ways. Since 2020, he is the Program Director at SGA (Serbian Games Association).

Ivan Sazdovski,
Quality Assurance Engineer & Compliance Officer, Sindex
About the lecturer

Ivan Sazdovski is a Quality Assurance Engineer and Compliance Officer at Sindex, a game development studio. Ivan has contributed to the development of several popular games, including Frantics, Chimp Party, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, and Trailmakers. He is committed to continuous learning, staying updated on the latest tools and trends in gaming and technology. Outside of work, he is passionate about video games, which fuels both his personal and professional pursuits.

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