GDC 2025 Recap, Part 1: First Impressions, Unexpected Moments, and EGD’s Journey to San Francisco
- Du Lam
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Well, it’s been two weeks since GDC, and there’s plenty to discuss! First, let's talk about why the EGD Collective attended to begin with. We were there to network with other industry professionals and reconnect with old friends, but also to showcase Project Dreamscape, a 3D roguelike game made by our very own Studio Aspen, which is set to release on Steam soon (You can add it to your wishlist now!).
Now, some of you might be wondering: What is GDC? Also known as the Game Developers Conference, it's a week-long annual event in San Francisco that brings together tens of thousands of game developers—from major corporations to indie studios and freelancers. Throughout the week, multiple sessions run simultaneously across different locations, offering valuable learning opportunities. There’s also an expo hall with something for everyone, featuring hundreds of booths showcasing everything from mocap demonstrations and game demos to fun giveaways like free plushies! Here, we had the chance to present our game this year, specifically at the NYS Pavilion.
Shifting from why we attended GDC to the experience itself, this year marked our fourth time at the event, and while the trip to California was exciting, it wasn’t without its hiccups. One unexpected delay involved a luggage miscommunication, which led to a return trip to the airport before arriving at our dorm. Speaking of which, the “EGDorm” was a hidden gem—nestled in a scenic area, offering stunning views of nature, and surprisingly spacious, with fellow students, recent grads, and EGD staff/alumni rooming together for just $250 for the entire week! Before the event began, members of EGD had the chance to attend the Day of the Devs showcase, an exciting event celebrating indie games. One of the standout moments was playing a beat 'em up featuring Jay and Silent Bob—an unexpected but entertaining highlight of the day.
On day 1, GDC officially kicked off with a flurry of activity. To start, there was an unexpected run-in with Patrick Star (yes, really), adding a touch of humor to the morning. Afterwards, EGD members and several other students took part in our traditional San Francisco Tourism Day, beginning with a stroll through Chinatown before heading to Pier 39 for an impromptu sea lion photoshoot. From there, we stopped at an arcade, where we spent an hour immersed in friendly competition. While some continued on the tour, others returned to the Moscone Center to attend industry talks, including a fascinating session on biome creation led by Romain Lemaire, Senior Material Artist for Helldivers 2. Following the talk, discussions extended beyond game development into the realm of fan art, highlighting the passion and creativity of the gaming community.
Finally, as the evening came, the first-ever GDC Nights took center stage. The karaoke session in particular did not disappoint. The energy was electric, with over 50 songs queued up by the end of the night—a testament to just how popular it was. Singing (and listening to others sing their favorites) was the perfect way to close out an eventful first day.
And that was just the beginning. In our next post, we’ll dive into the key moments from the main conference itself—insights from industry leaders, game presentations, and everything in between. Stay tuned!
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