The legendary Game Developers Conference (GDC) party list we posted last year is back and rebooted — just in time for GDC 2019! The same rules from last year apply: only public (not private or invite-only events) events within GDC’s conference window, which is between Monday, March 17th and Friday, March 22nd, will be listed.
Included in this party list are (of course) parties as well as summits, meetups, showcases, ragers, and so on and so forth. Odds are, if you want to meet folks who share your interests, you’ll find at least one event that matches what you want during the hectic week of GDC.
Have you seen an event posting we should add here, or are you a host of an event? Events for Gamers’ party list will be periodically updated with new or changing events until GDC 2019 is underway.
Sunday, March 17:
Event: Int’l Conference on Game Jams, Hackathons, and Game Creation Events
Time: 8:30AM-5:30PM
Cost: $25-100
Tickets available: Yes
Location: GitHub, Inc., 88 Colin P. Kelly Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intl-conference-on-game-jams-hackathons-and-game-creation-events-2019-tickets-50974330595
Description: “The International Conference on Game Jams, Hackathons and Game Creation Events is the world’s first and only academic conference dedicated to the study of game jams and hackathons.”
Event: 8th Annual Sunday GDC Kickoff Dinner
Time: 5:00PM-10:00PM
Cost: $27-$40
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Canton Seafood & Dim Sum Restaurant, 665 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94017
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-sunday-gdc-kickoff-dinner-tickets-56843598734
Description: “The 8th Annual Sunday GDC Kickoff Dinner is back again! EIGHT YEARS GOING STRONG and over 4000 attendees since the inception! Join Andrew Alcott (Games Recruiter currently at Glu Mobile) and Shirley Lin (Co-Founder and Chief BizDev at DOGI.io, a platform for Blockchain games) for a grand time meeting with fellow GDC attendees from around the world and enjoy a delicious buffet style dinner at the highly rated, always loved Canton Chinese Restaurant just a few blocks away from the Moscone Center!”
Event: Courage XL – PreMixer for GDC2019
Time: 8:00PM-12:00AM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes (tickets for 8-10PM sold out)
Location: The Monarch 101 6th Street San Francisco, California
Link: https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/show-your-courage-xl-premixer-for-gdc2019-tickets-50212722605
Description: “Need some courage to start GDC? Join us on Sunday eve in San Francisco. 30+ showcasers from all over the world showcase their newest games. The doors open at 20:00. Join us early and get a beer after playing one of the games from the showcasers.”
Monday, March 18:
Event: #GAconf 2019
Time: 9:00AM-6:00PM
Cost: $60-200
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Children’s Creativity Museum 221 4th St San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gaconf-2019-tickets-53909784617
Description: “A day of talks and networking exploring recent and future advancements in the field of game accessibility. Updates, case studies, and in-depth guides.
Covering a wide range of topics, such as AAA and indie case studies, the Xbox adaptive controller, games as occupational therapy, accessible player experience design patterns, and the varying perspectives of low vision & legally blind gamers.”
Event: GDC: Monday Happy Hour with Women in Games International
Time: 5:00PM-9:00PM
Cost: Donation
Tickets available: Yes
Location: GameOn Technology, 555 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gdc-monday-happy-hour-with-women-in-games-international-tickets-56944060217
Description: “Let’s celebrate inclusion and diversity in the videogame industry at a GDC happy hour party hosted by Women in Games International (WIGI). Come network, enjoy tasty bites and drinks, and participate in raffles and prizes, all while making connections with others who are in town for the Game Developers Conference.”
Event: Gaming and Disability Community Reception 2019
Time: 6:00PM-10:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Waitlist
Location: Children’s Creativity Museum 221 4th St San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/19th-annual-women-in-gaming-rally-tickets-52735272620
Description: “Xbox is proud to host the 2nd annual Gaming and Disability Reception during the 2019 Game Developer’s Conference in partnership with GAConf. Join us to connect & network with other game creators, developers, writers, artists, and more who are striving to make gaming a more accessible medium.”
Event: BelgianGamesCafe at GDC19
Time: 7:30PM-10:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Hawthorn, 46 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/belgiangamescafe-at-gdc19-tickets-56889584278
Description: “Powered by Cronos Interactive, Flanders Investment and Trade and Digital Wallonia we invite you to network and chat about #BelgianGamesIndustry and many other exciting topics. We’re serving Belgian finger food, Belgian beers and even a few cocktails.”
Event: The MIX San Francisco 2019
Time: 7:30PM-11:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: 981 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA
Link: https://www.mediaindieexchange.com/event/san-francisco-2019/
Description: Game industry and press are invited to attend this sprawling indie game showcase, with the added benefits of food, drink, and plenty of networking for attendees.
Event: Pixonic and Pocket Gamer Party @ GDC 2019
Time: 8:00PM-11:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: The Grand, 520 4th St, San Francisco, California CA 94107
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pixonic-and-pocket-gamer-party-gdc-2019-tickets-56532121096
Description: “Straight after the first day of GDC, you’re welcome at the Grand: an informal setting, top networking, and bar are included. A year ago Pixonic and Pocket Gamer hosted a party together, and we loved it so much we’re returning for an even better one this year”.
Tuesday, March 19:
Event: Breakfast Fight Club: GDC Edition
Time: 8:30AM-10:00AM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: A few left
Location: Red Door Coffee, 111 Minna St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Link: https://www.meetup.com/San-Francisco-AR-VR-Meetup-for-Women-and-Allies/events/258688181/
Description: “Breakfast Fight Club is ARVR Women’s unplugged, cafe meetup where we drink coffee (or tea), grab a bite and share the latest from the virtual trenches. A morning meetup for non-morning people!”
Event: 19th Annual Women in Gaming Rally
Time: 11:00AM-3:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Waitlist
Location: Terra Gallery, 511 Harrison Street, San Francisco, California 94105
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/19th-annual-women-in-gaming-rally-tickets-52735272620
Description: “19th Annual Women in Gaming Rally presented by Xbox. We invite you to join us for an afternoon of networking, community, and inspiring discussion on using gaming to build a better world.”
Event: Indigenous Meetup @GDC
Time: 12:30PM-2:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: No
Location: Yerba Buena Gardens 750 Howard St San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/indigenous-meetup-gdc-tickets-55923820653
Description: “Calling all Indigenous and Native game people! Come enjoy a low stakes drop in lunch to relax and recharge at GDC while getting a chance to connect & network with other game creators, developers, writers, artists, and more! All you need to bring is a lunch, a drink and a blanket or coat to sit on.”
Event: Big Indie Pitch + PC Indie Pitch + Big Indie Drinks @ GDC 2019 with Game Camps
Time: 2:00PM-7:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Bespoke Coworking Westfield San Francisco Centre San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/big-indie-pitch-pc-indie-pitch-big-indie-drinks-gdc-2019-with-game-camps-tickets-56655286487
Description: “The Big Indie Pitch and PC Pitch are returning to GDC week. Come join us for networking and pitching, as we once again put the spotlight on some of the world’s best indie developers this March in San Francisco – and stick around to make more connections thanks to the developer drinks after the pitch winners are announced!”
Event: “My First GDC” Meetup
Time: 3:00PM-4:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Waitlist
Location: Moscone Center 747 Howard Street San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/my-first-gdc-meetup-registration-56463585103
Description: “A social meetup designed for first time GDC attendees to make friends and meet other developers before ever stepping on the expo floor!”
Event: Gaming for Everyone Community Nexus 2019
Time: 4:00PM-7:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Terra Gallery, 511 Harrison Street, San Francisco, California 94105
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gaming-for-everyone-community-nexus-2019-tickets-53890074664
Description: “Xbox is proud to host the first ever Community Nexus event during the 2019 Game Developer’s Conference! We are bringing you this event in response to your feedback. Last year we held two of our community networking events together in the same venue and the feedback was overwhelming. “More, please.” We heard you and are bringing the Gaming for Everyone Community Nexus, a place where all our developer communities can come together.”
Event: Made In MA at GDC 2019 Party!
Time: 5:30PM-8:30PM
Cost: $15
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Johnny Foley’s Irish House, 243 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/made-in-ma-at-gdc-2019-party-tickets-54593426408
Description: Meet up with game developers from the Northeast, and Massachusetts in particular, at one of San Francisco’s Irish bar staples. A paid ticket (or free with code) ticket is required, but drinks and snacks are free for attendees.
Event: CGX Canadian Party & Expo at GDC
Time: 6:30PM-8:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes (with access code)
Location: Lucky Strike, 200 King Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cgx-canadian-party-expo-at-gdc-tickets-57205462077
Description: “This event has a big focus on giving Canadian studios every chance of success via press, exposure, publisher meets, and even winning a trip to London UK to compete at Global Indie Pitch! OR you can just come and enjoy the amazing company, drinks, food, and make more incredible Canadian friends.”
Event: Substance Days at GDC 2019 After-Party
Time: 7:30PM-10:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: TableTop Tap House, 175 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/substance-days-at-gdc-2019-after-party-registration-55703302076
Description: “Continue the fun of Substance Days at GDC 2019 with our special guests and the Substance team during this after-party at TableTop Tap House! … The after-party is free and open to attendees of Substance Days at GDC. Entry tickets will be distributed during Substance Days on Tuesday, March 19.”
There’s plenty more GDC 2019 events on the party list from Wednesday, March 20 to Friday, March 22 on the next page!
