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Instructors interested in teaching a GDC Masterclass on-site in San Francisco, CA at GDC 2022 (March 21 – 25, 2022) are invited to submit a course proposal for consideration. 1-day course formats are currently accepted in a number of game development topics. Instructors receive payment for each completed course.

What is GDC Masterclass?

The GDC Masterclass program is comprised of one day-long, small-group workshops that deliver in-depth, hands-on training around some of the most important challenges facing game developers today.

These interactive courses go beyond high-level theory to provide students with individualized feedback and practical experience that can be applied directly to their work. Class sizes are kept intentionally small and seats are limited to ensure every student receives one-on-one assistance from the instructor.

The GDC Organizers solicit proposals from industry professionals who can clearly teach technical aspects of game development, tools, explain law, production, etc. We welcome submissions that cover innovative ideas from a particular niche or emerging area of the game industry.

The Call for Submissions to teach a GDC Masterclass course at GDC 2022 open September 7 through October 5, 2021 at 11:59pm PT.  

Please note submissions for GDC 2022 (March 21-25, 2022) that are accepted will be held on-site and in-person in San Francisco, California. GDC Masterclasses will be held on Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

Submission Process

To have your course considered for inclusion in the GDC Masterclass curriculum, you must use our official submission portal. Submissions received via any alternative method will not be considered.

The submission form will require the following information:

  1. Instructor(s) contact information & bio
  2. Course Name
  3. Category/Type of Course
  4. Full proposal describing the course, any pre-requisites, special requirements, etc.
  5. Description of any course materials, equipment, student questionnaire form

Gathering this information in advance is recommended, prior to beginning the submission process. However, it is possible to save partially completed submissions and return to them at your convenience.

To submit a course proposal, review the submission guidelines below and complete a GDC Masterclass submission form. Please contact the GDC Content Team with any questions.

Detailed Information for Instructors

The following information applies only to Instructors invited to participate in the GDC Masterclass program.

Instructor Obligations

  • Submit updated W-9 (US nationals) or W-8BEN (foreign nationals).

  • Ability to travel to San Francisco, California to teach your course on-site and in-person at GDC 2022 (March 21 – 25, 2022).
  • Notify GDC Organizers immediately if you cannot Instruct and use your best efforts to find a suitable replacement for instruction.
  • Provide course material to the GDC Organizers no later than date specified within the Instructor Agreement for the creation of course materials, workbooks, etc.
  • Feedback and/or suggestions regarding course outcome, online platform and GDC Organizers.
  • Uphold the GDC Code of Conduct during the course.

Course Material

  • Instructor retains ownership and copyright of all course material, and hereby gives GDC Masterclass permission to reproduce such work for the creation of student materials including notes, workbooks, etc.
  • Instructor may opt to reproduce and distribute their own course material for GDC Masterclass courses.
  • Instructor grants GDC the right to use your name, company name, video, photograph, and voice as it relates to the distribution of course material to students, the promotion of your course, and the promotion of the program.
  • Instructor warrants that all course material is original, accurate, does not violate the rights of any person or entity, and does not contain any unlawful materials or materials that are offensive or reflect negatively on GDC or its affiliates (determined at GDC’s discretion).
  • Instructor warrants that course material is their own and will obtain all third-party permissions necessary for the use of such work at GDC Masterclasses.

GDC Obligations & Rights

  • Drive course marketing and registration.
  • Schedule date & time of course during GDC 2022, either on Monday, March 21st or Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022.
  • Provide instructor with the number of students enrolled in course session/s.
  • If accepted, courses will be scheduled by GDC during one of the two program dates.
  • Support services including registration, course material reproduction, equipment, etc.
  • GDC may cancel the event, change event dates, change instructor's participation dates and/or eliminate instructor's participation altogether. GDC may also cancel the instructor's course if it fails to meet the GDC Masterclass financial minimum of 6 students.
    • Note: If GDC cancels the event or course, GDC shall not be liable for any payments due hereunder.
  • Distribute and collect GDC Masterclass feedback forms from students.
  • Provide feedback from students and evaluations from hosts (where applicable).
  • Payment of instructor fees will be issued net 60 days from the end of the event.
    • Note: Payment is based on the number of paid students in our database, not the number of students online. Payment is negotiated directly with each individual Instructor.

We reserve the right to change or modify our Terms, dates and/or content of this page at any time without prior notice.

Thank you for your time, we look forward to reviewing your submission! Should you have any questions, please reach out to the GDC Content Team.

GDC Masterclass Call for Submission Guidelines

Submission Guidelines

If you would like to submit, please take note of the following:

Diversity and Representation

GDC aims to achieve diversity of voice, experience, and perspective. Please take this goal into consideration when considering who would be best to speak on behalf of your company or department and/or when submitting panelists.

Vendor-Specific Proposals

GDC does not accept product or vendor-related submissions. If your course is a thinly veiled advertisement for a new product, technology or service your company is offering, please do not submit.

Original Authors

GDC only accepts submissions by original authors of the course. PR firms, speaking relation firms, and all other parties who are not direct authors of submitted courses are discouraged from submitting a proposal on behalf of their clients/speakers. GDC requires direct contact with instructors to expedite questions during the submission review process. 

Instructor Fees

The instructor fee for teaching a course is negotiated directly with each instructor and payment of instructor fees will be issued net 60 days from the end of the event. Payment is based on the number of paid students in our database, not the number of students online. GDC may cancel the instructor's course if it fails to meet the GDC Masterclass financial minimum of 6 students.

Prepare & Submit Your Proposal

Instructor Contact Information

  • Course Title: Provide a course title in fewer than 10 words. Please try to include keywords, topics, and skills covered by your course.
  • Topic: Audio, Business & Marketing, Design, Production & Team Management, Programming, Visual Arts or “Other” (write in)
  • Format: One full day course. One full day course will be scheduled on one day and is approximately 8 hours.
  • Student Experience: How many years of practical experience would the ideal student need in order to get the most out of your course? Select the range of years that applies most to your course material: 1-5 years, 5-10 years, 10+ years.
  • Course Syllabus and Outline (For GDC Organizers Only): You have approximately 500 words to share your course syllabus and outline the topics that will be covered throughout the course. Your syllabus and outline should reflect your course format (one full day course), include a general agenda (e.g. 8-10am: lecture, 10am-12pm: group exercise, 12-1pm: lunch, etc.) and give GDC organizers a clear idea of how the course will unfold throughout the day or days it takes place. If needed or preferred, you can upload your syllabus and/or outline to your submission (.doc, .pdf, .txt). Please note if you uploaded a file/files in lieu of filling out this section.
  • Why Should People Attend Your Course? (For GDC Organizers Only) You have approximately 500 words to describe your course, and why it will be interesting or beneficial to GDC Masterclass students. This is NOT the abstract for your talk for the website. It is for you to describe concretely and succinctly what is compelling about your course and share supporting data. If you need more than 500 words to describe your course in this way, you can upload supplemental materials (.doc, .pdf, .txt) to your submission. *Should your submission be accepted, this section will not be published.
  • Pre-Course Work? Will you assign pre-course work or have a pre-course student questionnaire? If yes, explain what will be assigned, when it will be assigned, all materials students need, and the assignment's impact on the course agenda. For questionnaires, GDC Organizers will send it to your registered students so you can better customize the course to their needs. If you would like to send your students a questionnaire, create one and share the URL here. Instructions for creating a pre-course student questionnaire and an example can be found here
  • Post-Course Materials or Certification? Are you able to provide any materials or formal certification to your students upon completion of your course? Post-course materials include presentation slides, notes, a complimentary book, etc.
  • Instructor Thank You Note: GDC will send your students a “thank you” email upon registering for your Masterclass. This message is meant to be a simple introduction and thank you from you, the instructor and should include: A brief personal thank you for registering for the course. A sentence or two about why you are passionate about game development, specifically in your area of expertise. A note about the lessons you are excited for them to take away from the course. *Should your submission be accepted, this text will be published.
  • Course Description, Student Takeaways and Intended Audience (For Website).
  • One Sentence Description of Your Course (For Website): This sentence will be used as a teaser of your course on the main GDC Masterclass webpage.
  • Supporting material: It is optional to submit supplemental information that supports your course proposal. Additional materials may include white papers, code, demos, videos, images, proof of concept, etc.
  • Speaker Biography, Game Credits, Speaker History and Twitter handle (For Website).

Selection Criteria

The GDC Organizers will review and rate submissions based on the following criteria:

  • Concept: This is the basic idea of your submission. Is it interesting? Is it relevant? Will it be beneficial for game developers to hear? There is plenty of room for innovative ideas and also the tried and true.
  • Depth: Is the basic idea well considered and thought out? To what extent will the audience gain insight? The more in-depth, the better.
  • Organization: Are your ideas conducive to present in front of an audience? Will the GDC Organizers understand what you are trying to say? Organization helps.
  • Credentials: How do your credentials qualify you to speak on the topic you have proposed?
  • Takeaway: Is the student going to leave this Masterclass knowing a process, system or tool they didn't know when before it began? Are they learning or being inspired? This is the most important aspect of every Masterclass.

Instructor Expectations

GDC attendees are very intelligent. They are looking for material that is not obvious and expect excellence from GDC Masterclass Instructors. After your presentation, they will evaluate it based on delivery, knowledge of the topic and the visuals presented.

Preparation is one of the most important factors in delivering a successful GDC Masterclass. Please keep the following in mind when you propose to speak:

  • The proposed course description, outline, and materials you submit now must match the course you lecture on during GDC Masterclass.
  • Plan to commit AT LEAST 25 HOURS to prepare for your course.
  • Rehearse the delivery of your course to be more effective; preferably in front of your peers and/or record yourself speaking then review it. Both are great ways to practice pacing and timing.
  • Please note the Content Team is here to help. If you have ANY additional questions you’d like GDC to cover, please email the GDC Content Team.

Please note submissions for GDC 2022 (March 21-25, 2022) that are accepted will be held on-site and in-person in San Francisco, California. GDC Masterclasses will be held on Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

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