Showcasing the Best Use of Alternative Controllers
Co-helmed by veteran indie curator John Polson, the alt.ctrl.GDC exhibit will take place from March 18-22, 2024 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Returning for a ninth year, alt.ctrl.GDC is one of GDC's most acclaimed community spaces where visitors can play games using alternative controllers and meet the developers behind these uniquely interesting projects.
The 2023 submission portal is now closed. GDC 2024 submissions will be opening soon. Please contact [email protected] with any questions about submissions or the alt.ctrl.GDC program.
What is alt.ctrl.GDC?
Alt.ctrl.GDC is a unique showcase of alternative controllers created by independent developers. Alt.ctrl.GDC exhibitors are chosen through an open submission process which is free to enter and open to all. The showcase specifically looks for games that use alternate/custom hardware in interesting, unique, or groundbreaking ways that pushes the boundaries and improves accessibility for gamers and the industry at large.
What is the Submission Process?
There is an open call for submission typically from October to December where anyone can submit their alternative controller for a chance to be selected to exhibit at GDC. Once the submissions portal is closed, a panel of judges will review submissions and select the top projects to exhibit at the GDC Expo. You can find the submission portal and submission timeline on this page once it is open.
How to Get Involved?
Join our newsletter to be notified when the submission portal opens! If you are a school representative that wants to incorporate this into a class assignment, please reach out to [email protected] to be added to the mailing list. Check out our archive of previous projects to get an idea of what to expect.
What Do I Get if I Am Selected as An Exhibitor?
Each project selected to exhibit at alt.ctrl.GDC will receive (2) All Access passes (or equivalent) and (2) Expo Passes (or equivalent) to the Game Developers Conference that year and a free space to demonstrate their game at GDC! Selected exhibitors will be notified by the end of the year. Basic equipment and furnishings will be provided by GDC.
2023 alt.ctrl.GDC Finalist
Check out the 2023 finalist:
2023 alt.ctrl.GDC Audience Award Winner
Kitchen Kauldron
The Kitchen Kauldron Team
alt.ctrl.GDC Archive
For more information on a specific game, check out the full list of previous alt.ctrl.GDC exhibitors.
