GDG Sarajevo TechTalk at SSST: Game Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina
University SSST hosted the 110th GDG (Google Developer Group) Sarajevo event, dedicated to Game Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, gathering approximately 50 participants from diverse backgrounds — including students, developers, engineers, founders, directors, and academic staff.
The event took place in a dynamic and engaging atmosphere, with one particularly notable detail: the audience remained fully focused throughout the entire two-hour program, without distractions from mobile devices — a clear reflection of the high-quality content and compelling speakers.
The event was opened by Nijaz Andelić, host of the event and a member of the GDG community, who expressed pride in organizing the event at SSST. In his welcoming remarks, he introduced the agenda, speakers, and announced the interactive closing segment of the evening.
The central part of the TechTalk featured a presentation by Edin Kulović, who delivered an insightful overview of game development through a visually engaging presentation designed in the style of a small 2D game. His talk set the tone for further discussion and resonated strongly with the audience.
Following the presentation, a panel discussion was held with:
- Edin Kulović
- Damir Halilović, Director of Mad Head Games
- Dino Trnka
- Slaven Ahmetović
The panelists shared their professional journeys in the game development industry, discussing the challenges of solo development as well as the realities of building games in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A standout contribution came from Damir Halilović, whose openness, energy, and candid insights created a strong connection with the audience.
One of the key takeaways of the evening was the message:
“Starting a project is easy, but finishing it is hard — so start, build, and finish.”
This message resonated particularly strongly with students and early-career developers.
The event continued with an interactive pub quiz with prizes, offering a relaxed and engaging way for participants to reflect on the knowledge shared during the TechTalk. The evening was further enriched by short trailers of locally developed games, including:
- Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival
- Harmony of Aetheria
- Monster Drift
- projects by Kulix Gaming Studio
The event concluded with an informal networking session that extended into the late evening, highlighting the strong interest and growing connectivity of the local gaming and tech community.
University SSST proudly supports initiatives like this and values its collaboration with the GDG community, continuing to serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation, and industry engagement.
