The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the largest annual gathering of professional video game developers, focusing on learning, inspiration, and networking. The largest event in the Video Games industry includes an expo, several networking events, awards and a variety of tutorials, lectures, and roundtables by industry professionals on topics covering programming, design, audio, production, business and management, and visual arts.

GDC is returning to San Francisco from February 27 to March 3, 2017, for five days of great learning, networking, and fun filled a week. From year to year, GDC continues to define market innovations and future vision, providing insight into the future of gaming.

History of this Conference:

The conference was originally called the Computer Game Developers Conference. The first conference was organised in April 1988 by Chris Crawford in his San Jose, California-area living room. By 1994, the CGDC could afford to sponsor the creation of the Computer Game Developers Association with Adams as its founding director. The GDC attendance figures continued to rise every year. The Game Developers Choice Awards is the game industry’s only open awards show.

What can you expect at GDC 2017?

The GDC attracts more than 27,000 attendees, and it is the grand meeting where programmers, artists, designers, professionals, business experts and others involved in the development of interactive games. You must be eager to know about games in Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Animation. Exchanging great game ideas is one of the main objectives of this conference. You are the ones who will participate and shape the future of this industry.

This conference features more than 500 lectures, panels, tutorials and round-table discussions. Also, the GDC expo showcases all of the most relevant development tools, platforms and services helping to drive the industry forward. You can expect to meet some independent freelance gigs also.

The speakers are from various backgrounds, Companies, and titles. You will be able to hear great speeches from experts working with Amazon, Netflix, Intel, Google, NVIDIA, Microsoft, HBO and various Universities and colleges. The speakers are Artists, Editors, producers, directors, professors, programmers, founders and CEOs from different global Companies in the Games space.

GDC Main Conference Tracks:

Advocacy Track: This track presents some topics that address new and existing issues within the realm of social advocacy. Topics are as diverse censorship to the quality of life.

Audio Track: This track brings the industry’s top talent to share their knowledge and experience from the real-world, addressing these unique problems.

Business & Marketing Track: The track to educate and inform developers about the business of game development and ways to improve business.

Design Track: Creating immersive games requires visualizing, demonstrating, and tuning the interactions of an ever-increasing number of game tools and systems.

Production & Team Management Track: The aim of this track is to provide developers with concrete tactics for managing game production, no matter what size or scope your game is.

Programming Track: The programmers often face challenges to produce games that capture the attention of the public and the media, and this track is specifically for these tech geeks. You can find freelancers in your area of expertise here.

Visual Arts Track: The Visual Arts Track strives to educate artists about methods for producing game art and animations; from stellar concept art techniques to best practices.

Who should attend this conference?

Game Developers

Learn the latest techniques in the industry through GDC’s focused sessions and the expo. Explore challenges other developers are facing across platforms, software and any other development issues, and collaborate on a successful solution.

Business Development Professionals and Venture Capitalists

Take advantage of a multi-billion dollar industry by networking with developers, investors & studio heads. You can gain knowledge in digital gaming and connect with communities that help in investing in such business.

Studio Managers and Heads

Learn new methods for studio management during and the techniques of developing and marketing new emerging game platforms to target every demographic. The conference is the best place to develop your contacts in this field with the experts from entire World.

Executive Producers

The sessions will help you stay up-to-date on current global development processes. The sessions in production offer insight into the production process and improving game quality.

Virtual and Augmented Reality Producers

Learn from creators of astounding virtual experiences for games and non-game entertainment of all kinds. Identify the technology constraints and techniques to overcome design challenges and create high-quality VR and AR content.

Exhibitors and Sponsors

What else can be a better opportunity for you to showcase your Company’s products and services? The thousands of delegates attending this conference are worldwide experts and contributors in this field. You have to engage this audience over three days and make them remember your Company when they go back. Make sure to bring good promotional material for distribution.

Career Seekers & Recruiters

Here is a chance to meet face-to-face with the top talent worldwide committed to making better games. Job seekers, it is a great opportunity for you to meet companies and recruiters. Bring your portfolios, reels, and resumes, make productive connections and also know about the skills in demand. Expect to know about some freelance jobs also.

Star Wars Rogue One’s VFX team will be attending the Conference!

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Rogue One) is an American epic space film directed by Gareth Edwards who has already crossed a collection of a billion dollar. It is written by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy, from a story by John Knoll and Gary Whitta. It is a Lucasfilm production and distributed by Walt Disney Studios.

The Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic but would be dangerous, expensive or practically impossible to capture on film. Visual effects are now accessible to the independent filmmaker with the introduction of affordable and easy-to-use animation and compositing software. Are you excited to meet the Rogue One’s VFX team and learn from them?

It is an incredible opportunity for anyone and everyone in the Gaming Industry to network with peers, learn new things and showcase your talent. Be a part of revolution happening around the World in the Computer and Mobile Games.

Kitty Gupta