The Unique, Innovative Video Game Controllers at alt.ctrl.GDC

Celebrate the 11th Anniversary Showcasing the Best Use of Alternative Controllers

Co-helmed by veteran indie curator John Polson, the alt.ctrl.GDC exhibit is one of event's most acclaimed community spaces for the last 10 years! Attendees can play games using alternative controllers and meet the developers behind these unique projects. alt.ctrl.GDC exhibitors are chosen through an open submission process which is free to enter and open to all.

GDC 2025 submissions are now closed. Entrants will receive updates by December 18. 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.

We invite developers to submit their alternative controllers/hardware (with an accompanying custom game) for alt.ctrl.GDC, showcasing projects that push the boundaries in thoughtful, unique and entertaining ways.

What is the Submission Process?

You will be able to enter your submission from October 7 – December 6, 2024. 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 more information on the submission form 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.

2024 alt.ctrl.GDC Audience Award Winner

Chú Mó

The Chú Mó Team @ ArtCenter

2024 alt.ctrl.GDC Finalist

Check out the 2024 finalist:

996 Tech	JETCola
BARC	Limbitless Redline
Bib Goes Home Lowtek Light book	Miniature Nightmares
Boss,Blinds,Brandy	Mosquito Escape
Chairdevil	Puppet Master
Channel: Death	Round The Valley
Chú Mó	Runaway Robbers
Competitive Waffle Game	Sky Ladder Repair
Get Off My Lawn!	Terror TV
Grapple Fisher DX	Weirdows '98

alt.ctrl.GDC Archive

For more information on a specific game, check out the full list of previous alt.ctrl.GDC exhibitors.

Introducing Our alt.ctrl.GDC Co-Creator, John Polson

John Polson1.jpg

John Polson has played video games for over 40 years, starting when analogue ruled the world. He created and maintained the Humble Games and Humble Originals publishing labels, shipping titles such as A Hat in Time, Slay the Spire, Getting Over It, A Short Hike, and Unpacking. He also co-created the alternative controller exhibit, alt.ctrl.GDC and the indie game pop-up exhibit The MIX. He currently is an investment and partnership director at Tencent America.

John’s Quick Tips for Entrants:

Having celebrated over a decade of alt.ctrl.GDC exhibitions, the bar is constantly raised on the quality, variety, and innovation in finalists chosen. Some quick advice is to skim the past several years of selected entrants, just to make sure a submission doesn't end up too closely to those previously selected. Another tip: repurposing existing objects in the real world is a viable path for alt.ctrl. However, building something unique is a way to differentiate further a submission, due it being truly one of a kind. 

alt.ctrl.GDC