Find answers to common questions about GDC
See answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding GDC.
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GDC 2023 Event Details
When is the Game Developers Conference 2023?
GDC 2023 takes place from March 20 through March 24, 2023.
Where will the Game Developers Conference 2023 be located?
GDC 2023 will be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
When and where can I pick up my GDC Badge?
Registration will be located in South Hall, Street Level. Enter on the corner of Third and Howard Street.
GDC 2023 Registration hours:
Sunday, March 19 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Monday, March 20 | 8:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday, March 21 | 8:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday, March 22 | 8:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday, March 23 | 8:30am – 6:00pm
Friday, March 24 | 8:30am – 3:00pm
How much does it cost to attend GDC?
GDC offers a variety of passes, with prices depending on the level of access. For details, visit the Passes & Prices page.
Do I need to be vaccinated to attend GDC in person?
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result will be required to attend GDC 2023. Masks will not be required but are strongly encouraged. The event will also feature fixed hand sanitization units throughout the facility, contactless registration, and enhanced cleaning. You can see all our new initiatives designed to keep you safe on the Health & Safety page.
How do I access the GDC 2023 event app?
The GDC 2023 event app is hosted on the Swapcard platform. Download or update the Informa Tech Event app. All registrants will recieve an invitation via email to enter the virtual platform start March 13, 2023 or you can login using the email address you used to register. Event app features include: Virtual Expo; Digital Tote Bag (featuring sponsor and exhibitor content); Livestreaming of GDC Main Stage and Awards ceramonies on Wednesday, March 22; and ability to schedule meetings with attendees and exhibitors.
Registration
Where can I find my invoice, receipt, and/or confirmation after registering?
After you register and pay, you will receive your receipt at the email address you used to register from [email protected]. If you registered as part of a group, your group organizer may have your receipt and confirmation. Email GDC Registration for assistance.
How do I register a group?
Groups of 10 or more attendees registering at the same time can save 10% on the current registration price for the All Access Pass, Core, or Summits Pass types. Additional discounts, such as Alumni, exhibitor, or other special discounts are not combinable with the group discount. Additional registrations by the same group organizer at a later date can receive a 10% discount on the current registration price at the time of submission.
If you are interested in purchasing 10 or more GDC passes, visit Group Registration.
When/where do I pick up my GDC badge?
Please pick up your badge in person, on-site at GDC. A valid photo ID, the QR code printed on your confirmation email and proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result will be required to pick up your badge. Collecting multiple badges by a single person is not allowed. Badges will not be mailed in advance of the event.
PLEASE TREAT YOUR BADGE AS CASH: Your badge is required for entry at GDC. A non-refundable replacement fee equal to the original purchase amount will apply to all lost, duplicate, misplaced, stolen, or forgotten badge/badge holder requests. If your badge was complimentary, the fee will be the current on-site rate.
What is the cancellation policy?
To cancel, change, or substitute your pass, please email GDC Registration.
Requests for registration refunds or substitutions must be received before February 22, 2023. Refunds, transfers or substitutions are not available after this date, are not available for no-shows, and will not be offered due to lack of or inability to provide proof of vaccination at the event. Paid registrants who cancel or downgrade and do not substitute another person will receive a full refund less a 6% processing fee if notification is submitted in writing to GDC Registration on or before February 22, 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact GDC Registration.
Do international attendees need a visa to attend GDC?
Maybe. Please view the United States visa requirements. You can request a letter of invitation when purchasing a conference pass. Your letter of invitation will be attached to your confirmation email.
How do I obtain a Letter of Invitation?
If you require a Letter of Invitation to obtain a visa, you can request it during online registration. Letters of Invitation will only be issued in the name of the registrant and only after the registration is paid in full.
Can I contact a live person for registration help and information?
Please email GDC Registration or call (415) 947-6926 or (866) 535-8997 for assistance and information.
GDC Event App Info
How do I know which sessions are available to watch in Swapcard/the Virtual Platform?
The GDC Main Stage Session, the Independent Games Festival and the Game Developer Choice Awards will be available to watch in Swapcard/the virtual platform within 36 hours of each events start time.
When will sessions be available on GDC Vault and how do I know what sessions will be uploaded?
GDC 2023 sessions will be available on GDC Vault on Friday, April 14.
Use the 'Available Later on Vault' filter in order to see which sessions will be posted on GDC Vault following the conference.
How do I edit my profile?
There are two ways for you to access your profile:
1. On the upper right-hand corner of your screen, click on My profile.
2. On the left side of your screen next to your photo (or where your photo will appear), click on Edit.
You’ll be redirected to your profile details.
To hide your visibility click on the Meetings & Networking tab. On the left side of the screen you will see Visibility. Toggle the slide to the left to hide your visibility.
To edit the information on your profile, simply click on the Edit or Add parts depending on the type of information you want to add or edit (see below for which profile details you can and cannot edit yourself)
Your profile information has been transferred from your registration. As a result, you will not be able to update certain profile details yourself in the event platform. If you do update one of these fields yourself, it will be reverted to your old information once the database resyncs with the event platform.
Here is a list of profile details you cannot edit yourself. If you would like to update any of these fields, please contact [email protected] and we will make the update for you.
- Name (first, last)
- Primary Job Title
- Company
Here are the fields you can edit yourself or choose to leave blank in the event platform. Important note: accepting connection and meeting requests will share your entire profile (including email). DO NOT provide information you do not want shared with accepted connections:
- Skills
- Social Media Links
- Other Job Title (secondary title)
- Phone Numbers (mobile and landline)
- Address
Can people see my contact info?
Your provided address and phone number are only visible to you—they are only seen by others if you accept a connection request, accept a meeting request, engage with a virtual sponsor in Swapcard, or your badge is scanned by a sponsor. In addition, you can edit your contact details anytime by logging into the GDC registration portal, which will be reflected in Swapcard.
What time zone is the event in?
The event is in Pacific Time.
How does the agenda work?
The “Build Your Session Schedule” tab displays all the sessions in the event. You can easily register for sessions by clicking on this logo.
Note: You can refine your search by using filters located on the left of the screen.
The “My Schedule” tab allows you to see your own schedule. You can find the sessions for which you’ve registered, the sponsors and partners you have bookmarked, as well as your confirmed meetings. You can export your program by clicking on “Export to my calendar or Download PDF”.
How do I customize my available meeting times?
You can customize your meeting availability in the “My Event” tab:
Select “My Schedule” tab at the top
Select “My Meetings” in the left-hand column
In “My Meetings”’ you will be able to set which times you are available for other attendees to request a meeting with you. You can also choose to not display all empty slots and make yourself unavailable all day.
How do I network?
On the homepage of the event, you can access the Attendee lists by selecting "Meetings & Networking."
This is a great tool for identifying people you want to meet. Don’t hesitate to contact them through the application to network and schedule meetings in-person or virtually.
If you see time slots on people's profiles, it means that they are available for a meeting at those times. You can manage your own availabilities from the "My Schedule" section of the application.
How do I send a connection request?
To send a connection request to a person, go to their profile (via the list of participants, speakers, or a company profile) and click on “Send connection request”.
Tip: We encourage you to write a message before sending your connection request to introduce yourself and explain the reason for the connection. People enjoy a personal greeting!
You’ll find all the people you have been in contact with during an event in the “My Visit” button, “My Contacts” tab. This list can be exported as an Excel document.
How do I request a meeting?
Step 1: Click on a person’s profile from the list of participants, speakers, or a sponsor’s profile.
Step 2: Click on one of the proposed meeting slots. If you want to see other slots, click see more slots.
Step 3: After selecting a slot and the virtual location, write a message to the person you want to meet. Once done, click “Send meeting request”.
Note: If you plan to do a virtual meeting, select Online Meeting when choosing the location.
How do I start a virtual meeting?
To set up your virtual meeting, you must select the virtual location when requesting a meeting.
(See “How to request a meeting?”)
A few minutes before the meeting, go to the profile of the participant you’re going to meet, and click on the colored "Meeting call" button that will launch the video call (only available if the meeting is confirmed).
Still have questions? Contact:
Technical Issues: https://www.swapcard.com/support/?entity=Attendee
Attendee Registration / General Inquires: [email protected]
Sponsors: [email protected]
Press: [email protected]
Diversity & Inclusion
Are there complimentary or discounted passes?
GDC provides limited discounts to sponsors, media partners, community organizations, low income groups, and association partners. More information on these programs can be found on our Diversity & Inclusion page.
How do I apply to become a Conference Associate at GDC?
GDC Conference Associates receive a complimentary All Access pass in exchange for 25 hours during GDC week answering attendee questions, monitoring doors, checking badges, and other responsibilities. Learn more about the GDC Conference Associate program on our Diversity & Inclusion page and apply to participate.
2023 CA call for applications closed on December 22, 2022.
Does GDC have a code of conduct?
Yes. GDC is committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, or religion. The GDC Code of Conduct outlines expectations for participant behavior and consequences for unacceptable behavior.
How can I request assistance in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act?
If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids, interpreters or other reasonable accommodations while at the conference and/or expo, please contact Michelle Montoya by Friday, February 17, 2023.
Does GDC provide childcare services?
Yes. While no one under the age of 18 (including infants in strollers) is allowed to attend the conference or expo, GDC provides on-site childcare services. Please visit the KiddieCorp website for more information and to register for childcare services.
Does GDC provide a private room for nursing mothers?
Yes. (2) Mamava nursing pods will be located on the Moscone South Lower Mezzanine next to Room 50. One of the pods is ADA-accessible. We also have (1) Mamava nursing pod on Level 2 of Moscone West by Room 2024.
Download the Mamava app to book an appt, and you will receive an access code to open the pods. App can be downloaded here: https://www.mamava.com/mobile-appMoscone
There isn’t a refrigerator inside the pods to store milk, but we will allow Parents to store milk in the Show Office fridge (Room South 105).
Does GDC provide a private room for Prayer?
Yes. Attendees can access a Prayer Room with a quiet space for prayer onsite. The room location is South 305. The doors will be locked, but keys will be available to check out at the show office, South 105. If the room is being used a lot, we will proceed to leave the room open.
Hours are as follows:
Monday, March 20: 9am – 6:30pm
Tuesday, March 21: 9am – 6:30pm
Wednesday, March 22: 9am - 6pm
Thursday, March 23: 9:30am - 6:30pm
Friday, March 24: 9:30am – 5pm
Other Questions
When/where will conference sessions dates and times be available?
Dates and times for 2023 conference sessions will be added to the GDC website about 4 weeks before the event.
What speaking opportunities are available at GDC?
Core Concepts Call for Submissions closed August 16, 2022.
GDC Summits and Game Career Seminar Call for Submissions closed October 7, 2022.
To stay up to date on information about speaker proposals and submission deadlines, subscribe to our Call for Submissions mailing list here!
Can I watch GDC sessions after the event?
Yes, GDC records most sessions and makes them availible to view online throughout the year on GDC Vault.
Attendees with an All Access pass receive access to GDC Vault through March 2024. Alternatively, you can purchase an individual or studio membership to access GDC Vault.
Is there Internet access available at GDC?
Yes. Wi-Fi is available in the lobbies and session halls of the Moscone Center during the event, but not in the GDC Expo. There is no technical support for Wi-Fi at GDC.
What are the filming and recording guidelines?
Legitimate news media with approved credentials and media badges whose only intention is to gather film clips for a newscast can receive special clearance to film onsite at the Moscone Convention Center, with restrictions.
Please note that there are limitations (even for media badge holders) for filming or recording at the Moscone Center, and filming or recording of GDC content/sessions is strictly prohibited.
Documentary film crews are not considered legitimate news media and therefore union regulations require hiring a Local 16 IATSE representative, in addition to gaining filming approvals from the GDC organizers via the GDC Press Team.
GDC reserves the right to approve all filming and recording within the Moscone Center during the event. Learn more about filming guidelines, including how to hire a labor technician/union representative.
