San Francisco Moscone Center hosting Game Developers Conference
The 2025 theme centers around the power of gaming to bring people together, a concept that resonates with industry professionals and fans alike. A mural dedicated to that message is currently on display on Powell and Geary, created by artist Max Ehrman.
Concept designer Temarius Walker, a prominent voice at this year's event, emphasized the unifying nature of gaming.
"The gaming world brings people together by creating shared experiences where people from all parts of the globe can play and interact," Walker said.
The conference features a wide array of lectures, panels, and networking opportunities. According to a survey by the GDC, one in 10 developers reported being laid off in the past year, making the gathering even more critical for industry professionals.
"GDC is just an exciting place where developers, artists, tech artists, and 3D artists alike collaborate and learn new cutting-edge tools on how to build unique and crafted stylized worlds," Walker added.
As San Francisco continues its post-pandemic recovery, Stephanie Hawkins, the event director for the GDC, reaffirmed the conference's role in the city's economic and cultural landscape.
"The show has been in SF for nearly 20 years now. So, it's definitely our home, and we are happy to be here. There are so many great parks in the area, it's such a walkable city, there's the international airport, and Moscone has all the space we need," Hawkins said.
The GDC shop features nostalgic merchandise ranging from Super Mario Brothers to Final Fantasy. While attendees are excited by the array of merchandise and memorabilia, for many, the true value of the conference lies in the connections it fosters.
"This conference is just a great opportunity to connect with other game developers, meet new people, and build lifelong and lasting friendships that just go beyond video games," Walker said.
As the industry continues to evolve, the GDC remains a cornerstone of innovation, collaboration, and global connection.
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