Program
The Festival Program
Our program reflects the way games are made today.
- Full lifecycle coverage: From first ideas to global launches, for indie and AAA studios alike.
- Network across the industry: Connect with developers, designers, producers, publishers, marketers, and investors.
- Learn from experts: Sessions reviewed and curated by GDC’s Advisory Board.
- Hands-on collaboration: Interactive formats and summits for real exchange and practical takeaways.
- Tailored to you: Specialized content for every role, including coders, artists, team leads, funders, and marketers.
Tracks That Span the Ecosystem
Still rigorous. Still world-class. Now bigger in scope and richer in perspective, with 14 tracks showcasing the full spectrum of game-making and the people who bring it to life.
Audio
Music composition, sound design, implementation, spatial audio, and programming.
Business Strategy
Monetization models, IP management, market trends, negotiation, and the global economy.
Career
Paths and progression, mentorship and coaching, upskilling, portfolios, resumes and interviews, and navigating today’s hiring market.
Culture & Sustainability
Workplace culture, accessibility, DEI, mental health, ethics, and game preservation.
Design
Gameplay systems, mechanics, economies, UX, level design, UGC, accessibility, and postmortems.
Discovery & Marketing
Community building, influencer relations, brand identity, campaigns, trailers, and user acquisition.
Educators
Curriculum and program design, teaching strategies, research structures, funding models, and best practices for online learning.
Game & Production Technology
Engines, tools, platforms, AI/ML, pipelines, cloud, networking, content moderation, live service, and anti-cheat.
Independent Development
Solo and small studio operations, early access, pitching, scaling, and creative risk.
Narrative & Performance
Story, character, VO, performance, cinematic direction, and creative leadership.
Product Management
Revenue streams, live service ops, mobile, DLC, distribution platforms, and player-centric growth.
Production
Pipelines, localization, QA, AR/VR/XR, scope management, and external development.
Team Leadership
Studio management, cross-discipline workflows, leadership, and external partnerships.
Visual Development
Art direction, technical art, VFX, rendering, shaders, concepting, and pipelines.
Summit Communities
This year, you’ll find 16 Summit Communities woven throughout the program: Audio, Animation, Art Direction, Community Management, Game AI, Level Design, Tabletop, Product Management, Independent Games, Machine Learning, Technical Artist, Tools, Narrative, UX, Visual Effects, and Thriving Players.
Each one is curated to give every discipline a home for specialized sessions, peer-to-peer exchange, and tailored networking opportunities.
Luminaries Speaker Series
Unlock with a Game Changer Pass.
The Luminaries Speaker Series is a three-day program for senior decision-makers hosted at Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA. It focuses on the macro forces shaping the business of games, including market outlooks, platform strategy, cross-media IP, and player behavior, delivered by leaders from the most influential studios, platforms, and adjacent industries.
- Executive lens: Built for senior leaders making portfolio and organizational decisions.
- Strategy over tactics: Market intelligence and future outlooks to set roadmaps and budgets.
- Cross-industry voices: Perspectives from entertainment, tech, finance, and policy that inform long-horizon bets.
Your Festival Journey
The Festival is built for momentum. Start the week with your community, then grow through bold ideas, and leave ready to Change the Game.
Begin Together
Arrive, connect, and find your community. Begin with belonging, inspiration, and knowledge-sharing across every discipline.
Push Forward
Step into new perspectives with cross-disciplinary sessions, bold debates, and technical workshops that sharpen your craft.
Finish Inspired
Close the week by sharing your experience, mentoring rising talent, and leaving ready to shape the future of the industry.