This site is part of the Informa Connect Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.

Game Developers Conference
March 9-13, 2026
Moscone CenterSan Francisco, CA

Visual Effects Summit

GDC Summits offer an unparalleled opportunity to dive deep into specific game development disciplines, guided by industry leaders who are at the forefront of innovation. Taking place over two intensive days, Monday and Tuesday, these focused sessions provide actionable insights and advanced knowledge that will directly impact your work, all while connecting you with a global community of peers who share your passion. Attending a GDC Summit is not just about learning — it's about gaining the tools and connections needed to advance your career and make a lasting impact in the industry.

[summit intro]

Pushing the Limits of Game VFX

The Visual Effects (VFX) Summit at GDC 2025 is a one-day event focused on the creation of impactful visual effects for games.

VFX artists are essential in shaping the visual identity of games, from enhancing gameplay and narrative to defining environments and UI. This summit brings together leading VFX professionals to share cutting-edge techniques, explore new tools, and push the boundaries of real-time effects across genres and platforms. Join the VFX community to learn how to deliver stunning visuals while optimizing performance, and discover practical strategies for bridging art, design, and engineering in game development.

One-Day Summit
Pass Access: All Access Pass, Summits Pass
Conference Track: Visual Arts

[details]

Who Attends

Designed for VFX artists, technical artists, animators, and developers involved in creating visual effects for games. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, you’ll gain insights into platform-specific tips, genre-focused techniques, and best practices for creating striking visuals that enhance gameplay and performance.

Networking & Collaboration

Connect with a diverse community of VFX professionals pushing the boundaries of the discipline, with a focus on amplifying voices from under-represented areas of game development. From AAA studios to indie developers, exchange innovative techniques and tackle real-world challenges to shape the future of game visuals.

Summit Takeaways

Learn techniques for creating high-quality art and animations across various game genres, even under tight deadlines. From concept art to post-production, gain valuable insights into innovative tools and streamlined workflows for genre-specific effects. Leave with practical strategies to enhance and optimize your VFX work for any project.

2025 Session Highlights

VFX Tricks that Might Save Your Life

Bruno Afonseca
Principal VFX Artist, Tuatara VFX

Are You Visually Literate? Crafting Clear and Satisfying VFX

Rachel Quitevis
VFX Artist, Beyond-FX

Redefining Physical VFX Systems

Igor Chiang
Senior Software Engineer, Havok

Visual Effects Summit Advisors

Bryan Venzen

Let's Make FX

Bryanna Lindsey

Insomniac Games

Keith Guerrette

Beyond-FX & RealtimeVFX

Paulina Miciulevičiūtė

Tuatara

Connecting the Global Game Development Community