Embracing Change: The Evolution of the Game Developers Conference

The Game Developers Conference is undergoing significant changes, with a new name, the GDC Festival of Gaming, and a revised format. Mark DeLoura, Executive Director for Innovation and Growth at Informa, discusses the reasoning behind these changes and the goals for the future of the conference. DeLoura emphasizes that the GDC is still focused on developers, by developers, and for developers, but is expanding to include a broader range of topics and attendees. The conference will now take place over a full week, with a Festival Pass ticket that is nearly half the price of previous All Access passes. A new Game Changers pass will also be available, offering additional features and networking opportunities for senior figures in the industry. DeLoura acknowledges the criticism of the conference's pricing and location, but believes that the changes will make the event more accessible and beneficial to attendees. The GDC Festival of Gaming aims to celebrate game development and provide a platform for developers to connect, learn, and share ideas.