San Francisco, CA – The much-anticipated Game Developers Conference (GDC) Showcase 2023 is primed for kick-off, offering an extensive three-day series of sessions, dialogues, and keynotes, set to outline the future trajectory of the global gaming industry.
The GDC Showcase 2023, as the heart of the gaming world, is ready to provide a captivating blend of tried and tested sessions from past GDC events, combined with innovative and ground-breaking content never presented before. Participants and attendees can expect a sneak peek into the dynamic future of the gaming industry and GDC events.
A host of topics covering the broad expanse of the gaming industry will be spotlighted in the upcoming sessions. These will include areas such as Advocacy, where crucial concerns ranging from censorship to work-life balance within the gaming world will be explored and discussed.
The Design sector of the conference will be a treasure trove of inspiration for those seeking to forge new gaming experiences. It will offer tangible tips for progressing individual projects and reveal the secrets behind creating compelling user interaction and captivating game design.
The Programming sessions are designed to equip developers with the latest tools and technical prowess needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of gaming platforms, as well as addressing various complex development challenges.
For audio professionals, the Audio track promises to be a golden opportunity for knowledge exchange. Top industry experts will delve into the unique aesthetic, technical, logistical, and business-oriented aspects of audio in gaming.
The Business & Marketing track is set to provide a macro lens view of the gaming industry’s evolving trends. It will spotlight new business opportunities and partners, as well as fresh strategies for marketing in the digital age.
Team leaders and producers can look forward to the Production & Team Management track, offering practical advice for handling game production across a range of platforms, from AAA console games with expansive budgets to burgeoning platforms with unique challenges.
The Visual Arts track will aim to inspire attendees with an exploration into the world of the industry’s leading artists. This will cover every aspect of art in gaming, from concept and design to post-production, and provide insights into the processes that drive these creative works.
As an epicenter of industry knowledge and innovation, the GDC Showcase 2023 aptly reflects the dynamic, fast-paced nature of the gaming world. Attendees are urged to keep abreast of the GDC Showcase website to stay informed about the latest session updates.
Session Highlights
The sessions cover a broad spectrum of game development aspects:
GDC Showcase 2023: Tuesday Schedule
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT
Networking: Tuesday, Round 1 Start the day off with informal and spontaneous video chat, plan to meet and talk with fellow game devs in a unique virtual space. The GDC Code of Conduct will be enforced. Location: Virtual Type: Networking Session
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Classic Game Postmortem: ‘Lemmings’ (GDC 2019) Join ‘Lemmings’ co-creator Mike Dailly as he discusses the creation of this seminal DMA Design puzzle-platform game. Location: Virtual Type: Vault Rewind Session Presenter: Mike Dailly, Ogre Games Ltd
12:55 PM – 1:25 PM PT
The ‘Lamplighters League’: Music Systems and Live Recording Jon Everist delves into a brand-new IP from longtime collaborator Harebrained Schemes, showcasing the steps taken to implement and execute a live recorded project. Location: Virtual Type: Session Presenter: Jon Everist, Everist Sound LLC
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM PT
GameDeveloper.com Live Podcast Interview: Charlie Cleveland Game Director and CEO at Unknown Worlds Entertainment, Charlie Cleveland, joins the hosts to discuss the differing design principles for Subnautica and Moonbreaker. Location: Virtual Type: Session Hosts: Alissa McAloon, GameDeveloper.com and Charlie Cleveland, Unknown Worlds Entertainment
3:25 PM – 3:55 PM PT
Production & Team Leadership Career Fireside with Veronica Peshterianu and Danielle Riendeau A fireside chat about career growth in production and team leadership with COO and Production Lead at System Era, Veronica Peshterianu. Location: Virtual Type: Session Host: Danielle Riendeau, Game Developer, and Veronica Peshterianu, System Era
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT
It’s Better To Be Friends: Marketing “Asks” and the Reality of Game Production Learn how to balance high-profile marketing tasks required to ship a game alongside the development reality of a project with Rebekah Saltsman. Location: Virtual Type: Session Presenter: Rebekah Saltsman, Finji
5:05 PM – 5:35 PM PT
Vault Rewind: Interviewing for Game Design (GDC 2017) This session reviews both sides of the interview process for game designers. It provides useful tools for both hiring managers and candidates. Location: Virtual Type: Vault Rewind Session Presenter: Richard Carrillo, Sledgehammer Games
5:40 PM – 6:40 PM PT
GameDeveloper.com Live Podcast Interview: Chris Zukowski Join marketing consultant Chris Zukowski as he discusses indie game marketing, current genre trends, and what works for getting eyes on your game. Location: Virtual Type: Session Hosts: Danielle Riendeau, Game Developer, Alissa McAloon, GameDeveloper.com, and Chris Zukowski, HowToMarketAGame.com
6:45 PM – 7:15 PM PT
Living Paintings of OFK: Art Directing the Style and Lives of an Indie-Pop Band Join the Art Team as they explore and reminisce on the development history of OFK, from excitement to frustration to breakthroughs. Location: Virtual Type: Session Presenters: Nafisah Tung and Teddy Dief
7:50 PM – 8:50 PM PT
Networking
GDC Showcase 2023: Wednesday Schedule
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT
Networking: Wednesday, Round 1 Join your fellow attendees for informal, spontaneous video chat. Plan to meet and talk with other game developers in a unique virtual space. The GDC Code of Conduct will be enforced. Location: Virtual Type: Networking Session
12:00 PM – 12:35 PM PT
Classic Game Postmortem: OUT OF THIS WORLD/ANOTHER WORLD (2011) Eric Chahi will shed light on this game’s distinctive visual style and its cinematic cutscenes that have been a favorite since its 1991 debut. Location: Virtual Type: Session
12:55 PM – 1:25 PM PT
Vault Rewind: Digital Ownership and the Gaming Revolution Speakers John Osvald, Patrick Bergman, and Jason Brink from Gala Games will explore the concept of real ownership for players in the gaming world and discuss the potential of the Web3 Revolution. Location: Virtual Type: Sponsored Session
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM PT
Game Design Career Fireside with Raph Koster and Bryant Francis Join Bryant Francis as he interviews Raph Koster, CEO of Playable Worlds, about his journey in game design and his experience of running his own company twice. Location: Virtual Type: Session
3:00 PM – 3:55 PM PT
User Interface in ‘Cyberpunk 2077’: Challenges and Optimizations Arkadiusz Antonik will share insights into the UI technology built for Cyberpunk 2077, discussing the challenges faced and how they were overcome. Location: Virtual Type: Session
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT
Game Art Career Fireside with Mariel Kinuko Cartwright and Bryant Francis Bryant Francis will chat with Mariel Kinuko Cartwright about her career in game art, her focus on 2D art and animation, and her experience working on iconic games. Location: Virtual Type: Session
6:00 PM – 6:40 PM PT
Classic Game Postmortem: Fallout (GDC 2012) Timothy Cain will discuss how he helped create a franchise that set a new standard for open-world RPGs. Location: Virtual Type: Vault Rewind Session
7:15 PM – 8:05 PM PT
GameDeveloper.com Live Podcast Interview: Rod Humble Rod Humble, the general manager of Paradox Tectonic, will join Game Developer Podcast hosts for an insightful conversation about his approach to the unique genre. Location: Virtual Type: Session
8:00 PM – 9:05 PM PT
GoSkinning: An Innovative and Efficient Skinning Tool Zijiao Zeng will introduce GoSkinning, an AI skinning tool that revolutionizes the traditional skinning production process, making it six times more efficient. Location: Virtual Type: Session
9:00 PM – 10:15 PM PT
After-Hours Entertainment with Extra Lives Extra Lives will entertain the audience with their interactive comedy adventure, Extra Lives’ Summer Vacation, which offers over 60 possible variations to the story depending on audience’s decisions. Location: Virtual Type: Special Event
10:15 PM – 11:15 PM PT
Networking: Wednesday, Round 2 Join your fellow attendees for another round of informal, spontaneous video chat. Plan to meet and chat with other game devs in a unique virtual space. Connect, network, and have fun! Location: Virtual Type: Networking Session
GDC Showcase 2023: Thursday Schedule
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Effective Feedback & Critique Roundtable
Presenter: Jeff Hesser, Games
A discussion session for artists of all disciplines to exchange methods, strategies, and activities for effective feedback and critique.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Automated Testing Roundtable
Presenter: Andrew Fray, Roll7
A roundtable for all experience levels to discuss the use and benefits of automated testing in software development.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Tools Design Roundtable
Presenter: Robin-Yann Storm, RYStorm
A discussion on creating and maintaining an internal tool design workflow, and sharing best practices.
12:00 PM – 1:10 PM PT
Technical Artist Roundtable
Presenter: Matt Oztalay, Epic Games
A session for technical artists to share their knowledge, experiences, and tips for managing complex content creation pipelines and asset tracking systems.
12:10 PM – 1:10 PM PT
Game Narrative Roundtable
Presenter: Richard Dansky, Crytek
A roundtable for narrative professionals to discuss various narrative topics and share matters of interest.
1:00 PM – 2:20 PM PT
GDC Submission Q&A
Presenter: Kimberly Voll, Brace Yourself Games & Fair Play Alliance
Kimberly Voll shares best practices for crafting and submitting a talk proposal to the GDC and answers questions from the audience.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT
Networking: Thursday
An informal, spontaneous video chat session for attendees to make connections with other game developers.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT
Tools Design Roundtable (Repeat Session)
Presenter: Robin-Yann Storm, RYStorm
Repeat session to discuss creating and maintaining an internal tool design workflow.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT
Automated Testing Roundtable (Repeat Session)
Presenter: Andrew Fray, Roll7
Repeat roundtable for all levels to discuss the use and benefits of automated testing in software development.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT
Effective Feedback & Critique Roundtable (Repeat Session)
Presenter: Jeff Hesser, Games
Repeat session for artists to exchange methods, strategies, and activities for effective feedback and critique.
5:00 PM – 6:10 PM PT
Technical Artist Roundtable (Repeat Session)
Presenter: Matt Oztalay, Epic Games
Repeat session for technical artists to share experiences and tips for managing complex creation pipelines and asset tracking.
5:10 PM – 6:10 PM PT
Hot Desks to Sweatpants: Hybrid Work Roundtable
Presenter: Jessica Damerst, Unknown Worlds Entertainment
A roundtable to discuss the challenges and strategies for building and nurturing a hybrid working environment.
5:10 PM – 6:10 PM PT
Game Narrative Roundtable (Repeat Session)
Presenter: Richard Dansky, Crytek
Repeat roundtable for narrative professionals to discuss various narrative topics and share matters of interest.
Note: All times are in Pacific Time (PT).
