GDC 2025 once again brought together thousands of game developers, publishers, and industry professionals worldwide.
This roundup explores key perspectives on the benefits and challenges of attending GDC, offers practical advice for first-time participants, and examines whether the event still holds its place as a must-attend gathering for the games industry.
“From my first experience attending GDC, I gained a lot of insights that I believe are worth sharing.
One key takeaway was the importance of having meetings scheduled well in advance, ideally two weeks before the event, as people’s calendars fill up quickly.
I also noticed how valuable it was to keep meetings within short walking distance around Moscone Center. Many attendees stay in nearby hotels, and trying to jump between distant locations can become exhausting over the course of the week.
Evenings were just as busy as the daytime, so having at least two side events lined up each night helped make the most of the trip and avoid downtime.
Overall, it was an incredible experience to witness the energy, the flow of people, and the diversity of professionals in the industry. GDC brought together a completely new crowd for me, and it is an event I believe everyone in the industry should experience at least once.”
Batuhan Avucan – Founder & Managing Director of Mobidictum
“GDC remains one of the largest gaming conferences globally, and plays a pivotal role in the industry. Over time, however, the primary value for B2B interactions has shifted. It’s not solely about drawing people into the conference halls but rather about bringing them to San Francisco during the week GDC takes place.
These days you find that a significant number of attendees are not purchasing conference tickets, but are using nearby hotel lobbies or attending other events, such as PGC, for the majority of their meetings.
That said, we will be attending the conference itself this year to accommodate several scheduled meetings within the Moscone Center. This marks the first time in recent years that I’ve actually purchased a pass. Previously, we typically derived most of our value from simply being present in SF and attending side events. Nevertheless, I’m open to being proven wrong this time around.”
Igor Melniks, SVP, Business Development for ZBD
“When pondering if GDC is still relevant, all I thought was absolutely—more now than ever!
In a world where AI deepfakes blur identities and remote work dominates, nothing replaces the impact of face-to-face meetings. Hugs, handshakes, and real human connections are Business 3.0.
I have a GDC expo ticket because I believe in supporting the community, and investing in GDC is part of that. Even though I’ll spend a lot of time networking in hotel lobbies, GDC has been the foundation of this industry since 1988. It must continue to exist, and paying for a ticket is an ethical commitment.
To me, the main conference and the side events are equally important to attend. GDC is an ecosystem—a full package. I’ll be there the entire week, active from morning to late night. The key is embracing the intensity to maximize the experience.”
Adrien Bacchi, CEO and Founder of ChibiPhoenix
“GDC remains a highly relevant event for industry professionals, and we definitely see significant value in attending.
Yes, we have GDC expo tickets as the event presents an unmatched opportunity to connect directly with key industry players, network, and build relationships.
While the main conference sessions provide valuable insights, we find that the true “magic” often occurs during the side events.
These informal gatherings and networking opportunities offer deeper discussions, spontaneous idea exchanges, and crucial business meetings that can define future partnerships and innovation. Both components complement each other, but the side events are particularly essential for forging meaningful industry connections.”
Vadim Andreev, CEO and Co-Founder of Rokky
“For me, the real value of GDC comes from catching up with my network, whether it’s at the conference, side events, or in one-on-one meetings. It’s all about staying focused on what matters and building connections that help push the industry forward.”
Quentin Staes-Polet, CEO of FRVR
