Event FAQ
Got a burning question about GDC 2025? Here’s everything you need to know.
If you have any queries not covered here, please contact us.
General Information
[general information]
When is the Game Developers Conference 2025?
GDC 2025 takes place from March 17 through March 21, 2025.
Where is the Game Developers Conference 2025 located?
GDC 2025 is to be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.
Who is GDC for?
GDC is for game developers at every stage of their career looking to learn, grow, and network. These include programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals, QA, business leaders, and more.
Registration
[registration]
How much does it cost to attend GDC?
GDC 2025 pricing information will be shared once registration opens in October.
How can I register for the event?
Registration for GDC 2025 opens this October! Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated.
Do you offer Group Discounts?
GDC group registration discounts apply for 10 or more All Access, Core, and Summits registrations. Group discount cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions, including the alumni rate. For more information, please visit our Passes & Pricies page, once it's available in October.
Are there complimentary or discounted passes?
GDC collaborates with select organizations to empower and uplift game developers from marginalized communities, offering them opportunities to attend the event and a platform to showcase their work. Visit the Get Involved page for the complete list of scholarships and other assistance opportunities once GDC 2025 registration opens.
How do I apply to become a Conference Associate for GDC 2025?
Becoming a Conference Associate is a fantastic way to experience GDC and meet other developers in the industry. Head to our Get Involved page for more information.
Are press and media passes available?
Press registration for GDC 2025 is by invitation only (prior years’ attendance does not guarantee an invite to GDC 2025). For members of the press, including content creators, who wish to receive an invitation, please contact GDC Press with the subject line 'GDC 2025 Press Registration Request - [Your Name/Outlet]'. Head here for more information.
How can I upgrade my registration?
To upgrade an existing pass, simply log into your registration to make the change. You can also reach out to our Registration Customer Service desk at GDC Registration for assistance.
What is the cancellation policy?
To cancel, change, or substitute your pass, please email gdcregistration@informa.com.
Requests for registration cancellations, substitutions and downgrades must be received on or before February 21, 2025. Cancellations will incur a $300.00 cancellation fee for conference passes or a $100.00 cancellation fee for expo passes. Refunds are not available after this date for downgrades or cancellations and are not available for no-shows. Substitution requests will not incur a processing fee. GDC Nights tickets are non-refundable.
Pass upgrades can be purchased by sending an email to GDC Registration gdcregistration@informa.com.
Credit card issuers may impose a fee for credit card charges issued to international registrants. Please contact your card issuer if you have further questions about their fee schedule.
Travel & Accommodations
[travel & accommodations]
How do I request a visa letter?
You can request an invitation letter to accompany your visa application to attend GDC during the registration process. Your registration must be paid in full before your letter of invitation can be issued.
Please note that requesting a visa invitation letter does not guarantee that your local authorities will grant a visa to attend the event. Additionally, you are responsible for submitting your visa application to your local embassy/consulate; conference management will not submit it on your behalf. All requests are subject to review and approval.
When and where can I book my hotel?
GDC and Convention Housing Partners (CHP) have secured discounted rates on hotels near the event for attendees. Hotel blocks are open for GDC 2025, please visit our Travel & Venue page for more details.
If you are contacted by companies aside from CHP offering to make hotel reservations for you, we urge you not to book with them because they are not affiliated with GDC and therefore are not authorized to make reservations on GDC’s behalf.
Can I park at the Moscone Center?
The Moscone Center does not have on-site parking, but here’s a list of parking options around Moscone.
How can I get to GDC using public transportation?
Luckily, several GDC partner hotels are within walking distance of the Moscone Center, and there are many excellent public transportation options for those staying farther away. Check out our list of ways to get to GDC 2025.
Before GDC
[before gdc]
When/where will conference sessions dates and times be available?
Dates and times for GDC 2025 conference sessions will be added to this website about four (4) weeks before the event.
How do I access the GDC Event App?
Every year, GDC partners with Swapcard to help attendees feel engaged and prepared. The event app typically opens four (4) weeks before the event. Stay tuned for more information.
What is GDC’s Code of Conduct?
The GDC Code of Conduct outlines expectations for participant behavior and consequences for unacceptable behavior. We are committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, or religion. Please read the Code of Conduct before joining us at GDC 2025.
What are GDC’s health and safety policies?
Our top goal is to make sure all of our attendees feel safe. We’ve partnered with local authorities and city organizations to ensure a secure and pleasant experience for everyone at our event. Our Health & Safety page has everything you need to know, including travel options and how to access round-the-clock support during GDC 2025.
What are your safety tips for GDC attendees?
- When you leave Moscone, remove your attendee badge and put it away.
- Always be aware of your surroundings and what is happening around you-- especially in crowded situations. Staged distractions are a favorite ploy of pickpockets.
- Carry your wallet in the inside front pocket of your pants or your jacket. Shoulder bags or other handbags should be carried under your arm, not by the handle. While attending GDC sessions, or going out to eat or socialize, keep your bag in your lap.
- Keep your eyes up, your ears open, and your phone put away on city streets and on public transportation. This will lower the chance of theft and keep you safe on San Francisco’s busy streets.
More tips and initiatives from GDC can be found on our Health & Safety page.
What speaking opportunities are available at GDC and who can I contact?
Submissions for GDC 2025 Core Concepts are closed as of August 8, 2024, and GDC 2025 Summits and Game Career Seminar call for submissions closed Sept. 26, 2024.
Please contact Sam Warnke if you have any questions about GDC Summits, and Kysa (Ludviksen) Korosi for inquiries on Core Concepts or Game Career Seminar.
Make sure you stay up to date on submitting for future GDC events by subscribing to our Call for Submissions mailing list!
I would like to exhibit at GDC, who do I contact?
Please complete this request form and one of our team members will contact you directly with more information.
I am exhibiting/sponsoring, how do I access the Exhibitor Portal?
The Exhibitor Portal will be available in the coming months. All sponsors and exhibitors will receive an email prompting them to log in.
If you have any questions, reach out to GDC Customer Success.
During GDC
[during gdc]
When/where can I pick up my GDC Badge?
Registration is located in South Hall, Street Level. Enter at Howard Street.
Registration Hours:
- Sunday, March 16 | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Monday, March 17 | 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday, March 18 | 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Wednesday, March 19 | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday, March 20 | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday, March 21 | 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Is there internet access at GDC?
We do have Wi-Fi 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.
Where is the coat check?
Coat check is located in the South and West halls.
How can I request assistance in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids, interpreters or other reasonable accommodations while at the conference and/or expo please get in touch with GDC Event Operations. Please also see more detailed accessibility information here.
Is GDC wheelchair accessible?
Moscone Center does not have onsite accessible parking. Head here for more information on parking around Moscone or alternative forms of accessible transportation.
Is there dedicated accessible seating at GDC sessions?
Each of our conference rooms, as well as the Main Stage, have reserved seating for people with disabilities and their companions. They are on a first come, first served basis.
Are service animals allowed?
Moscone Center welcomes service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally permitted access.
Is there a dedicated accessible registration desk?
For those requiring extra assistance or space to register or collect their badge onsite, GDC has an ADA dedicated registration area which will be clearly signposted upon arrival at South Hall, Moscone Center. Please contact GDC Event Operations if you have any questions.
Can I bring my children with me?
As much as we love our GDC Kids, GDC does not allow anyone under the age of 18 (including infants in strollers) to attend the conference, unless they're part of our supervised Student Day event. However, GDC has partnered with KiddieCorp to provide on-site childcare services for our attendees and exhibitors. Details to come.
Does GDC have a private room for nursing parents?
Two (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.
There isn’t a refrigerator inside the pods to store milk, but we’re happy to store milk for caregivers in the Show Office fridge (Room South 105).
Does GDC have a quiet room?
We have a quiet room for our attendees available during conference hours, Monday through Friday.
Is there a private room for prayer?
Attendees can access a quiet prayer and meditation room onsite during conference hours, Monday through Friday.
Can I record GDC sessions?
You can record the first five minutes of a GDC session, but anything beyond that is not allowed. All GDC attendees, including exhibitors, press, and passholders must follow our GDC filming guidelines.
How can I watch sessions after GDC 2025?
Most of our sessions are recorded and available to watch online throughout the year on GDC Vault, our online content library. Most of our recent content requires a subscription, but we always have sessions available to watch for free as part of our committment to the game community.
Connecting the Global Game Development Community
