Are you going to GDC this year? A lot of international GDC regulars are not, it seems.
A multitude of senior industry figures have told us that concerns over US immigration, safety and costs mean they are sending far fewer staff than in previous years – or not attending GDC at all.
Difficult market conditions haven’t helped either, of course, and efforts to reboot GDC as a ‘Festival of Gaming’ with more affordable attendance options has left potential international visitors confused.
Sources at large, mid-sized and smaller game companies also voiced concerns over the ongoing aggression of ICE agents. Others noted that last year’s event was quiet, and assumed this year would be even more muted. One key industry figure suggested that GDC 2026 could be the last GDC of its kind.
Most execs we spoke to did not want to speak publicly to keep business relationships intact. One well-known company boss told us: “We are sending far fewer people. Some are uncomfortable with the situation with ICE and worry about being in the US.”
“GDC has lost its lustre and it’s in the wrong place, as many devs across the world can’t make it,” they added. “Everyone has said it would be better to just be in Dubai, somewhere more accessible.”
A mid-sized developer boss we spoke to agreed. “They should move it to another city or even country,” they told us. “The US is very expensive now and it seems that Gamescom has taken over as game devs’ preferred event. The same happened with E3, they cancelled one event then tried to reboot it, by that time GDC had become the main conference. I think it is happening again, this time to GDC.”
Another veteran developer and regular GDC attendee said: “I booked a cheap flight over Christmas, but now I’m thinking of taking the hit and not going. If the situation in the US gets any worse I can’t imagine going.”
Some large companies are taking a ‘business as usual’ approach, however. Two well-known, very large mobile game companies we spoke to said they are sending the same amount of people to GDC 2026 as they have in previous years. But it appears many smaller EU and UK-based companies we spoke to are skipping it, or sending far fewer staff.
Business development exec Cassia Curran summed up the feeling best, telling us: “European and Canadian games industry professionals are giving multiple reasons for not attending GDC this year. The most common reason given is that San Francisco is unpleasant and expensive, next is protest at the US government’s aggression towards their countries, third is concern about being forced to share their social media communications, fourth is personal safety concerns with regards to border control and immigration officials.”
Curran added: “It seems that the majority of the regular non-American GDC attendees are skipping this year unless they have essential business with US companies.”
Slitherine Games is only sending one person to GDC this year, says marketing director Marco Minoli. “Over the years, GDC has struggled to listen to its community – failing to adapt to a changing market, offer fair pricing for its educational content or address the logistical hurdles and rising costs associated with its long-standing location,” he told us.
“Other events are now capturing that business-driven purpose more effectively, making it easier for the community to pivot toward more efficient, accessible solutions. I find it frankly disorienting that an event for the games industry – a sector built on community-driven evolution – has ignored its own community’s needs for so long.”
Netspeak Games CEO Callum Cooper-Brighting says he is “done with San Fran”. “There’s no way in good conscience I could send an employee there when I’m not willing to take the risk myself. I don’t have social media, but a cursory glance at Netspeak and you’ll find pride flags, LGBTQ+ positivity and an immediate sense of woke. Not something I feel is welcome in America at the moment.”
He added: “I raised $2m at PGC London, and $12m at Gamescom in Cologne and felt absolutely safe in those places. Big up Europe I say!”
Harry Holmwood, CEO of Mindset Go publisher Magicave, added: “I get why UK and EU devs are skipping it. The rebrand from ‘gaming conference’ to ‘gaming festival’ is one thing, but the pressing issue is smaller studios and young devs getting priced out; if I didn’t already know half the people there, the cost would be tough to justify.”
GDC president Nina Brown responded to these points over email. “We appreciate the concerns that some of our community have expressed in the lead-up to GDC Festival of Gaming,” she told us.
“We work with local officials and legal experts to monitor any US policy changes, and our guidance to our international community members is to begin visa applications early and consult with their embassy on any additional requirements.”
Brown also said that “the safety of our community is always our top priority”. She added that GDC has a 24/7 safety line and has expanded safety training for GDC staff. Security escorts are also available by request, and San Francisco’s Safety Community Ambassadors program means there will be further safety support from the host city this year.
“On affordability, we have simplified our pass structure,” she continued. “These changes were informed and inspired by feedback from our community, and our simplified pass structure, starting at $649 for five days of unlimited content and connections, makes GDC 2026 45% more affordable than last year’s event.”
Brown added: “At any event there are always individual situations where people can no longer attend or change their minds, and of course we respect those individuals’ decisions.”
“For those that aren’t able to join us in San Francisco this year, we hope they’ll make use of our GDC Vault content, over 30% of which is freely available for those that aren’t already subscribed, plus the 1,900+ videos hosted for free on GDC’s official YouTube channel.”
