Networking is a key part of the Game Developers Conference. It's how game industry professionals make new business connections, find new jobs, land deals for their games, and discover exciting new titles.
The organizers of GDC 2022 are excited to be returning to San Francisco for in-person networking opportunities—while also providing all attendees the option to network from anywhere in the world through our virtual platform. That's why we're once again using Swapcard, the official platform of GDC 2022, as the go-to system for all in-person and virtual networking activities. Swapcard access will be available for all attendees on Monday, March 14.
As you get ready for the event, happening March 21-25, we wanted to help you get ready to connect with other attendees with a quick briefing on how the GDC 2022 networking tools will work:
Step 1: Complete Your Profile
When you log into your Swapcard account (which will be available for attendees starting March 14) you'll want to make sure to fully complete your profile before seeing off on your networking adventures. This involves selecting your needs and preferences—including whether you would prefer to meet in-person or virtually through our video networking lounges.
You can do this by clicking on the "My Profile" tab in the Swapcard platform.
Step 2: Arrange One-on-One Meetings Through Swapcard
In-person and virtual attendees can request meetings with any fellow attendee registered through Swapcard. You will be able to search other attendees by job title, professional interest, and other filters (including if they are available for in-person or virtual meetings). You're welcome to send them a meeting request with a proposed date, time, and location. Meeting locations include the Connect Lounge at P1779, virtual meeting using Swapcard, an exhibitor’s booth if you are meeting with them, or you can propose an alternate location in the meeting invite.
This is a fantastic way to make individual connections---and affords attendees total control over their meeting schedules. If you want to exchange contact details, send the person a connection request and upon approval, you can both see each other’s contact details. If you accept a meeting request, contact details are also exchanged.
If you cannot fulfill a meeting request, you’re free to reschedule or if time does not permit, decline it.
Step 3: Join our On-Site or Virtual Networking Sessions
From Tuesday through Thursday, GDC will offer Speed Networking for on-site attendees. These will be one-hour sessions with attendees rotating around the room. No pre-registration is required and attendance will be first come, first served. Times and locations to be announced through Swapcard.
We will also offer several virtual networking sessions through Eventuall. Times and locations to be announced through Swapcard.
Step 4: Attend Roundtable Discussions
Regardless of your pass type and if you are attending in-person or virtually, you can participate in roundtable discussions around hot topics in the industry. Times and locations are available on the GDC website or in Swapcard.
Step 5: Hang Out in Sessions, Common Areas—and Group Discussion Rooms
One of the great things about GDC in San Francisco are the chance encounters. At the event, we encourage all attendees to find opportunities to connect and network—while keeping safety in mind and wearing face masks (if not actively eating or drinking).
We’ve created a number of chat rooms based on different disciplines where you can connect with other attendees interested in the same topics as you. These topics include Visual Art, Audio, Design, Programming, Production, and other topics from the GDC Main Conference and Summits. To access these, select “Group Discussions” in Swapcard.
We can't wait for you to meet so many great folks at the Game Developers Conference this year! Of course, the only way to do so is to sign up. Register for GDC today!
GDC returns in-person to San Francisco, March 21-25—registration is open! For more information on GDC 2022, including our virtual options, be sure to visit our website and follow the #GDC22 hashtag on social media.
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