GDC Returns to Full Strength

The 2022 Game Developers Conference was a unique experience, marking the first time the annual event had returned to San Francisco since the pandemic began. However, the industry was still cautious about attending large-scale events, and the conference didn't quite live up to its usual standards. This year, senior conference manager Ashley Corrigan is confident that the event will be more in line with past years. Corrigan, along with director of event production Stephanie Hawkins, has been working to bring GDC back to full strength. They have been focusing on facilitating connections between attendees and introducing new elements to keep the event fresh and interesting. One of the key changes this year is the removal of livestreams, a decision made after realizing that the virtual pass introduced in 2022 didn't quite work as planned. According to Hawkins, the virtual pass caused confusion among attendees, and the team realized that it was more cost-effective to focus on the in-person audience. Corrigan adds that having two different experiences - in-person and virtual - can be straining on the team and may lead to a splintered attention. Instead, the team has decided to focus on the in-person event and provide a separate digital conference later in the year. The digital conference will feature interactive elements and more networking opportunities, making it easier for developers who cannot attend the in-person event to participate. The team has also been working to make the in-person event more accessible, reserving hotel rooms for speakers, community partners, and IGF finalists, and offering scholarship programs and complementary passes to groups who may not be able to afford to attend. The conference will also feature a focus on recruitment and accessibility, with a section dedicated to the latter at Alt Ctrl. The show floor will have a different look, with larger exhibitors shifting away from massive booths and providing experiences for attendees instead. The talks will balance what speakers want to discuss with what the industry wants to hear, covering topics such as blockchain, web3, and metaverse. While these topics may be contentious, the GDC leadership team believes that there is still a place to discuss them, as long as it is handled correctly. The non-sponsored program is influenced by developers, with an advisory board reviewing submissions and selecting talks that are relevant to the industry. The Web3 Forum at GDC 2023 will be a sponsored track, providing a separate space for discussions on these topics. GDC 2023 is set to kick off on Monday, March 20, and the team is confident that it will be a successful event. With a focus on in-person attendance, interactive digital conferences, and a commitment to accessibility, the conference is poised to bring the game development community together once again.