YEREVAN, Armenia — On October 25, the sixth annual Game Conference (GCON 2025) took place at the American University of Armenia (AUA), initiated by Noor Games and co-organized and hosted by the Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering (ASCE). The event brought together game developers, industry leaders, and innovators for a day of learning, exchange, and inspiration, reaffirming ASCE’s commitment to bridging academia with Armenia’s growing technology and creative industries.
Since its inception, GCON has stood by the motto “Even Geniuses Cooperate,” emphasizing that progress in game development is achieved through collaboration and shared expertise. This year marked the 6th edition of the conference and coincided with the 10-year anniversary of Noor Games, bringing a special focus on leadership in game development — a theme that reflects the evolving needs of the industry.
GCON 2025 expanded beyond its traditional technical and creative sessions to include a dedicated Leadership Track, which is the first of its kind in Armenia’s gaming community. This addition aimed to address the human and organizational aspects of game development, highlighting that successful projects depend not only on technical mastery but also on leadership, communication, and team dynamics.
The one-day event featured hands-on workshops, interactive discussions, and panel sessions led by experienced professionals from both local and international gaming companies. Participants had the opportunity to explore best practices in project management, team motivation, and creative collaboration — all essential elements in today’s competitive development environment.
Dr. Habet Madoyan, Bachelor of Science in Data Science program chair noted, “At the Akian College of Science and Engineering, we see community development as an extension of our educational mission. Beyond teaching and research, we actively engage with Armenia’s growing technology and creative sectors by sharing our organizational resources, expertise, and networks. This conference represents a continuation of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s game development community — a vibrant and collaborative ecosystem of which our college is proud to be a part. Stay tuned for more to come”.
This year’s focus on leadership marked a strategic step in shaping the mindset of Armenia’s next generation of game developers. The Leadership Track brought together CEOs, project managers, and senior developers to discuss how leadership emerges in diverse forms, from mentoring teammates to fostering creative freedom and resilience within teams.
Narek Aghekyan, founder and CEO of Noor Games put it clearly, “At Noor Games, we believe our hard-earned expertise should help build a thriving local game industry, and make an impact that reaches far beyond Armenia. That is why we organize Global Game Jam Armenia, bringing together aspiring creators to learn, collaborate, and make games in just a few days. We also founded GCON, the country’s first-ever game development conference, where professionals share knowledge and inspire the next generation. We founded the Armenian Game Developers Association (AGDA) as well, which has now grown into the biggest game dev community in Armenia. During GCON 2025, we have launched the Noor Coaching Program to help people turn their passion for games into the skills to create them. In short, we do what we believe truly matters — wherever we can make a real difference”.
Speakers and panelists, including prominent figures such as Gagik Sukiasyan, Luiza Avetisyan, Armine Mkrtchyan, Vahe Baloulian, Nare Gevorgyan, Arman Atoyan, David Sukiasyan, Mariam Hambardzumyan, Tigran Minasyan, and Gor Vardanyan, engaged the audience in discussions about leadership challenges, strategic thinking, and the importance of cultivating trust within creative teams.
ACSE’s participation in GCON 2025 reaffirmed its role in connecting academic learning with real-world industry applications. Through events like GCON, the College continues to promote project-based education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and student engagement with Armenia’s growing tech ecosystem. By co-organizing and hosting the event, ASCE provided a platform where students could directly interact with industry professionals, exchange ideas, and gain practical insights into career paths within game development and related fields.
As GCON 2025 concluded, it left participants with a strong message — that leadership, cooperation, and innovation must go hand in hand in shaping the future of Armenia’s game development sector. The conversations initiated during the event are expected to inspire further collaboration between universities, companies, and the broader creative community. ACSE remains committed to supporting initiatives that nurture talent, foster innovation, and strengthen the bridge between education and industry, preparing the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders in Armenia’s technological landscape.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
