Why We’re Heading to GDC 2025 (And Why Job Seekers Should Too)

Our team is heading to GDC 2025 and we couldn’t be more intrigued by what’s expected at this year’s event. If you’re in the gaming industry—or hoping to break into it—we highly recommend attending as well. We’d love to meet you!

One of the biggest reasons we attend nearly every year is the chance to connect with fellow developers and other industry professionals, especially in difficult industry times. Sure, there’s tons of excellent panels, roundtables, and world-class speakers to gain insights from, but especially if you can’t afford a full pass, simply be around the conference halls and after-parties is the next best thing.

What is GDC?

GDC is a professional conference, meaning it is primarily focused on industry knowledge, networking, and professional development. Unlike broader gaming conventions like PAX, which cater more toward consumers and fan experiences, GDC is where game developers, publishers, and industry professionals gather to share insights, discuss trends, and connect over their work.

In contrast, an event like the D.I.C.E. Summit is a more intimate, high-level networking event with an emphasis on executive discussions and strategic planning. Events like PAX or Gen Con are conventions and cater more to the general public and gameplay. And a festival like SXSW incorporates gaming as part of a larger cultural event that includes music, film, and tech.

GDC is the premier event dedicated entirely to the craft and business of game development. It’s a place where you can attend deep-dive technical sessions, explore innovative design philosophies, and gain valuable insights into industry trends, all while making meaningful connections with fellow professionals.

Just remember—GDC is about networking and sharing information and insights, not immediate job offers (but DO check out the Career Pavilion to share your resume!). If you’re a student or job seeker, focus on making connections that could lead to future opportunities rather than expecting an on-the-spot hire.

Keynote Speakers and Industry Talking Points

While networking is important, attending industry talks and participating in roundtables is just as important. GDC 2025 is set to feature an impressive lineup of keynote speakers and sessions addressing the most pressing topics in the gaming industry. Some confirmed presenters you might recognize include:

• Tarn Adams: Co-founder of Bay 12 Games, known for the critically acclaimed “Dwarf Fortress.”

• Dan Adelman: Business and Marketing expert at Shared Memory, with extensive experience in indie game development.

• Bruno Afonseca: Principal VFX Artist at Tuatara VFX, specializing in cutting-edge visual effects in gaming.

Attendees can look forward to sessions covering a range of pertinent industry topics for this year, including:

• Industry Layoffs and Employment Trends: Discussions will address the recent wave of industry layoffs, strategies for career resilience, and navigating the evolving job market.

• Artificial Intelligence in Game Development: Explorations into how AI is transforming game design, development processes, and player experiences.

• Emerging Game Technologies: Insights into the latest technological advancements shaping the future of gaming.

Changes to This Year’s Event

GDC’s previous years have all been productive in one way or another. Sometimes there are changes made, a track add or a new offer for passes introduced, but in general the experience is the same from year-to-year. 2025 might be a bit different than expected if what we’re hearing is to come true.

For starters, GDC 2025 introduces several notable changes aimed at enhancing the attendee experience:

• • Expanded Session Tracks: New tracks have been added to cover emerging fields such as AI integration, virtual reality advancements, and indie game development strategies.

  • Increased Focus on Diversity and Inclusion: Dedicated summits and panels will address diversity, equity, and inclusion within the gaming industry, providing actionable insights for attendees.

  • New Hands-On Learning Experiences: This year, GDC is rolling out interactive workshops where attendees can participate in live coding sessions, rapid prototyping challenges, and hands-on demonstrations with the latest game development tools. These workshops aim to provide practical takeaways for developers at all skill levels.

GDC organizers are also pushing hard the relationship with the community and press and partners this year. Check out their Industry-Changing Community Partners page to see who’s in the lineup you may want to start following.

Networking at GDC – A Key Focus for Students and Job Seekers

As is tradition, students and job seekers have an excellent opportunity at GDC to expand their networks and gain important industry insights to prepare them for the next couple of years. However, it’s important to set the right expectations and we have to emphasize it once again—attending GDC does not guarantee a job. The primary goal should be to learn, build relationships, and establish connections that could lead to future opportunities.

Tips for job seekers and students:

• Approach with curiosity, not desperation: Companies rarely hire on the spot at GDC. Instead of asking directly for jobs, focus on meaningful conversations and showcasing your interest in the industry.

• Attend networking events and after-parties: Many of the best connections happen outside of formal panels. Be social, attend mixers, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself.

• Prepare a strong portfolio: If you’re a developer, designer, or artist, have a polished portfolio ready. Be prepared to share it digitally via QR codes or links.

• Follow up after the event: Exchange contact information and send a follow-up message within a week of meeting someone. A brief, thoughtful message on LinkedIn can go a long way.

Planning Your Attendance

If you’re considering attending GDC, now is the time to finalize your plans as the event is just a couple of weeks away. Whether you’re an indie dev, a student, or an industry veteran, there’s something for everyone at this event.

Our Top 10 Game Industry Event Attendance Tips (tailored for GDC):

1. Did you register for the event? Have your receipt/confirmation accessible upon entering the event.
2. Bring business cards and keep the design simple and to-the-point. I highly suggest you keep the back blank and white so it can be easily written on.
3. Note in advance which panels/talks/parties to attend (and plan for walking time to them). For GDC and many other events, the gathering may be down the street in a hotel or other venue!
4. Promote your attendance to your network about 2-3 weeks in advance of the event.
5. Events are always a great place to network and get to know others in your industry! Just don’t go to them expecting a guaranteed job or business offer.
6. #1 success priority: Be likeable. Don’t go in with a hard agenda and ego, listen more than talk, and you’ll come out with friends.
7. Day-before: Note the weather outlook and make one more call-out to your network.
8. Day-of: Attending events is expensive! Always have a bit of cash on-hand. Also, bring an extra battery brick for your phone… you’ll need it.
9. Speaking of cash, tip those waiters at all the free after-parties you will be at. They thank you in advance.
10. Upon arrival, purchase at a local store plenty of snacks if you can. The on-site food and drinks are horrendously expensive, it’s almost a crime against humanity.

Bonus tip: Take notes of everything! Well, not everything, but do note who you met so you can add them to LinkedIn and network again in the future. Write a journal of what was interesting, challenging, and what you would do differently the next year.

We hope these tips and insight into GDC helps you plan your next event attendance. See you all at GDC!