A Game Developer’s Survival Guide: GDC 2025

My GDC experience has always been mixed; long lines, lots of walking, successful or canceled meetings, after-event parties, lots of coffees … the list goes on > … But as we prepare for GDC 2025, I want to share my 2 cents on what to do and don’t do; so that you can get the best out of your GDC 2025 experience.

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 is the ultimate event for anyone in the gaming industry. Whether you’re an indie developer, AAA studio pro, programmer, artist, or student, GDC is a place to learn, network, and advance your career. However, with thousands of attendees and hundreds of sessions, it’s easy to miss opportunities or make mistakes.

To help you navigate GDC 2025 like a pro, here’s a DOs and DON’Ts guide so you can maximize your time and avoid common pitfalls.

✅ DO: Plan Your Schedule in Advance

Continuing on “A Game Developer’s Survival Guide: GDC 2025” post,  GDC has hundreds of talks, workshops, and events spread across five days. If you don’t plan ahead, you’ll miss out on valuable sessions.

How to do it right:

• Check the GDC schedule early and pick must-attend sessions.
• Use the GDC mobile app to set reminders and track locations.
• Prioritize networking events—they’re just as important as the talks.
• Leave room for spontaneity—you might meet someone who invites you to an exclusive event.

DON’T: Overload Your Schedule
Trying to attend every session, every party, and every workshop will burn you out. Pick a realistic number of events per day.

✅ DO: Perfect Your Elevator Pitch

GDC is full of opportunities—you never know when you’ll meet a recruiter, publisher, or future collaborator. Be ready to introduce yourself and your work concisely.

How to do it right:

• Keep it 30 seconds or less.
• Include who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for.
• Example: “Hey, I’m Alex, an indie game developer working on a rogue-like platformer with innovative AI enemies. I’m looking for a publisher interested in unique indie titles. Are you open to discussing opportunities?”

DON’T: Be Pushy or Monopolize Conversations
If someone isn’t interested, don’t force the conversation. GDC is about making connections, not hard-selling your game or skills.

✅ DO: Network Like a Pro

Continuing on “A Game Developer’s Survival Guide: GDC 2025” post,  GDC is one of the best networking opportunities in the gaming world. Meet new people, reconnect with old colleagues, and build valuable relationships.

How to do it right:

• Attend official networking events like GDC Mixers and roundtable discussions.
• Join after-parties and informal meetups—some of the best deals and job offers happen over drinks.
• Use LinkedIn QR codes instead of business cards for quick connections.
• Follow up—send a quick message after GDC to keep in touch.

DON’T: Stick to Your Comfort Zone
If you only hang out with your existing friends or studio team, you’ll miss new opportunities. Make an effort to meet new people—they could be your next employer, co-founder, or investor.

✅ DO: Visit the Expo Floor

The Expo Floor is a goldmine for developers. This is where you can try out the latest game development tools, meet publishers, and discover new monetization platforms.

How to do it right:

• Visit booths for game engines (Unity, Unreal), AI tools, and monetization platforms.
• Talk to publishers if you’re looking for funding or game distribution.
• Try out new hardware and development tools before they hit the market.

DON’T: Take Freebies Without Engaging
Companies give out swag and goodies, but it’s rude to just grab stuff and walk away. Have a quick chat with the exhibitor—it might lead to an opportunity!

✅ DO: Be Mindful of Recruiters and Job Seekers

Continuing on “A Game Developer’s Survival Guide: GDC 2025” post,  If you’re looking for a job, the GDC Career Fair is the place to be. Studios like Ubisoft, EA, and Riot Games are there to scout talent.

How to do it right:

• Bring a USB drive or digital portfolio with your work.
• Dress professionally—GDC is casual, but recruiters appreciate effort.
• Research the studios before talking to recruiters.
• Be confident but respectful—recruiters are busy and talk to hundreds of applicants.

DON’T: Hand Out Resumes Randomly
Simply dropping off a resume without a conversation won’t help. Build a connection first, then follow up later.

✅ DO: Monetization & Business Strategy Sessions

If you’re an indie dev or working on a live-service game, you need to understand monetization strategies. GDC has sessions on rewarded video ads, in-game advertising, and ad monetization platforms.

How to do it right:

• Learn about CPM, eCPM, and ad revenue models.
• Explore AppLixir, AdMob, and other monetization platforms.
• Connect with advertising networks to understand in-game ad placements.

DON’T: Ignore Monetization Until After Release
Many indie devs wait too long to think about monetization. GDC is the perfect place to learn how to make your game profitable from the start.

✅ DO: Take Care of Yourself

Continuing on “A Game Developer’s Survival Guide: GDC 2025” post,  GDC is exciting but exhausting. If you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll burn out before the event even ends.

How to do it right:

• Stay hydrated—bring a water bottle.
• Eat real meals, not just snacks from booths.
• Get plenty of rest—if you party hard, balance it with downtime.

DON’T: Ignore Your Health
It’s tempting to survive on coffee and energy drinks, but that will crash your energy levels. Take breaks when needed.

✅ DO: Follow Up After GDC

Meeting someone at GDC is just the beginning. If you don’t follow up, your connections won’t lead to anything meaningful.

How to do it right:

• Send a quick LinkedIn message or email within a week.
• Remind them where you met (e.g., “Hey, we talked at the Unity booth about AI tools”).
• If they mentioned an opportunity, follow up professionally.

DON’T: Spam People with Requests
A single follow-up is great. Sending multiple messages if someone doesn’t respond? Not cool.

Final Thoughts

Before I finish “A Game Developer’s Survival Guide: GDC 2025” post,  GDC 2025 is an incredible opportunity for game developers. If you plan ahead, network effectively, and stay open to new experiences, it can be a career-changing event.

DO: Plan, network, explore, and follow up.
DON’T: Overwhelm yourself, be pushy, or neglect your health.

With the right approach, GDC 2025 can open doors you never imagined. Are you attending? What’s on your GDC checklist? Let us know in the comments!