In the ever-changing world of game development, thinking outside the box is not just encouraged: It's essential. And there's no better showcase for this creative spirit than alt.ctrl.GDC, the alternative controller exhibition at the Game Developers Conference. As we gear up for GDC 2025, submissions are now open!
What is alt.ctrl.GDC?
alt.ctrl.GDC is a unique exhibition that highlights innovative, offbeat, and downright unusual game controllers. For over a decade, this showcase pushed the boundaries of how we interact with games, featuring everything from repurposed everyday objects to custom-built contraptions that defy categorization. And now it's your turn.
Why Participate?
Participating in alt.ctrl.GDC offers several benefits:
- Showcase Your Creativity: Present your innovative controller on the GDC Expo floor to thousands of industry professionals and enthusiasts.
- Network: Meet fellow developers and potential collaborators in a vibrant, collaborative space.
- Free GDC Passes: Selected teams receive two All Access and two Expo passes to GDC 2025.
- alt.ctrl.GDC Audience Award: You could win the Audience Award, along with $2,000, presented onstage during the 2025 IGF Awards.
What We're Looking For
We welcome one-of-a-kind submissions that:
- Provide unique and unforgettable game experiences
- Challenge our expectations of what games can do
- Promote sustainability and accessibility in games
Get Inspired
At GDC 2024, Chú Mó (The Chú Mó Team @ ArtCenter), an interactive experience of Chinese exorcism through using ancient magical tools, received the Audience Award at the 2024 IGF Awards. It stood alongside over a dozen other groundbreaking games, including games using:
- Waffle irons
- A possessed teddy bear
- Ladders
- A barcode scanner
- And more!
These examples just scratch the surface of what's possible. For more inspiration, watch our video below.
How to Submit
Submitting your alternative controller is easy and free:
- Visit our submission page
- Fill out the application form
- Submit before the deadline: December 6, 2024 at 11:59pm PT.
- If you have any questions, visit our website or contact [email protected].
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a decade-long tradition of innovation! Submit your unique controller today and help shape the future of game interfaces.
GDC returns in March 2025! For more information, be sure to visit our website and follow the #GDC2025 hashtag on social media.
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