My week on the Recreation Builders Convention (GDC) and what I discovered


The annual Recreation Builders Convention (GDC) was held final week in San Francisco, boasting 28,000 attendees! Amongst these conference-goers had been members of the CG Spectrum group, together with the Group Supervisor—and proud alum—Penny Gaubatz. Penny was form sufficient to share her expertise at GDC and why she believes it is such a beneficial occasion for folks seeking to break into the video games {industry}.

GDC is an annual occasion that brings collectively programmers, artists, producers, recreation designers, audio professionals, and enterprise leaders from around the globe. It gives folks alternatives to change concepts, study from one another, problem-solve, and discover the newest developments in and the way forward for recreation growth.

Meet Penny!

My title is Penny, and I’m CG Spectrum’s Group Supervisor, at the moment dwelling in Dallas, Texas! I started my journey at CG Spectrum a couple of years in the past as a pupil and have discovered a lot whereas finding out and, later, working right here.

Final week, I had the chance to attend the 2023 Recreation Builders Convention (GDC) in San Francisco, California, and let me let you know: it didn’t disappoint!

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This is me at GDC, sitting on what I prefer to name the Throne of Codes.

From the second I arrived, I used to be surrounded by a number of the most passionate and inventive minds within the video games {industry}, all coming collectively in a single place to study, community, and share their experiences. 

Throughout the three action-packed days I attended GDC, I received to: 

  • Meet some superb fellow CG Spectrum college students and mentors in particular person;
  • Sit in on inspiring industry-related talks;
  • Community with dozens of {industry} professionals;
  • Witness a number of the newest cutting-edge know-how in video games. 

Beneath, I’ve shared a short day-by-day rundown of my expertise at GDC, together with some key takeaways from all of the issues I discovered alongside the best way.

Day one at GDC

A good portion of my first day was spent touring from Dallas to San Francisco. On arrival on the airport, I met up with CGS alum and fellow teammate Technical Assistant (TA) Jessica Geis. Collectively, we made our approach to our resort, solely a brief stroll from the convention middle. We spent a while planning the following few days’ actions earlier than preparing for our CG Spectrum in-person group meetup at Alchemy Bar and Lounge!

As we made our approach to the meetup that night time, a wave of anticipation and pleasure washed over me. Being part of CG Spectrum’s full of life on-line group—crammed with college students, alums, and mentors all providing assist, steerage, and sharing their journeys—has given me the chance to construct so many significant connections and lasting friendships. Now, I might be assembly a few of these folks within the flesh! 

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A blurry however blissful photograph of our CG Spectrum meetup, the place a number of the group, mentors, and college students received to satisfy in particular person.

Because the night time wore on, we exchanged tales and received to know one another even higher. It was clear that we had been all right here for a similar cause—to have enjoyable and share our ardour for gaming and the will to study and develop inside the {industry}. We left feeling energized and excited for the following few days of our GDC journey.

Key takeaway: Construct your group

The CG Spectrum meetup bolstered simply how highly effective and galvanizing it may be to attach with others who share related passions to you. Finally this was my favourite a part of your complete journey!

So, my recommendation to folks beginning out within the {industry} is to search out methods to attach with different creatives. These folks develop into your co-workers, your mentors, and your folks who encourage and encourage you.

GDC is an effective way to satisfy like-minded folks, nonetheless, not everybody could have the sources to attend occasions like this. I caught up with CG Spectrum Mentor Ehsan Ebrahimzadeh, who spoke at this yr’s GDC about his expertise engaged on the online game Redfall, and we chatted about accessibility. He had some nice, extra reasonably priced and native strategies:

Methods to construct your group—

  • Attend native recreation growth occasions. Many cities have native recreation growth communities that host meetups, workshops, and different occasions;
  • Take part in on-line communities. There are a number of on-line communities devoted to recreation growth;
  • Take part in recreation jams;
  • Get GDC Vault to realize entry to recorded GDC classes. You may also discover a lot of them at no cost on the GDC Youtube channel;
  • Make investments your cash in constructing your recreation dev abilities and portfolio at a good college with a vibrant group (like CG Spectrum!).

Ehsan additionally had the next recommendation for CG College students, “If you cannot attend [GDC], don’t fret that you have missed out. Maintain knowledgeable, continue learning and bettering your work (an excellent portfolio is essential!), community on-line, and be lively within the CG Spectrum on-line group.”

I can’t emphasize the worth of CG Spectrum’s on-line group sufficient. Assembly these expert and proficient folks in particular person was a reminder of what an incredible useful resource the CGS group actually is. It is not usually that you simply get to expertise that form of camaraderie and shared ardour in the identical house (each digital and in particular person), and I left feeling extra grateful than ever. 

Day two at GDC

On the second day, we had been joined by a number of different CG Spectrum college students. We walked across the expo ground collectively, which was a whirlwind of vitality and inspiration! The convention had a lot to supply, and it was actually enjoyable to expertise it collectively as a gaggle.

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A few of my GDC posse! They helped make every day additional enjoyable. I met these great folks by the CG Spectrum on-line group. 

We made our approach by sprawling cubicles and shows from corporations like Epic Video games, Sony, Microsoft, and Unity (to call only some!). The house was monumental, with one thing for everybody.

We witnessed some unbelievable improvements and listened to interactive demonstrations showcasing the newest developments in AI and machine studying, VR, 3D modeling and texturing, rendering, visualization, animation, recreation design, storytelling, and a lot extra.

It was superb to see simply how far know-how has come in recent times and to think about all the chances it holds for the way forward for gaming. Strolling the GDC expo ground emphasised simply how huge and various the gaming {industry} actually is and what number of alternatives are at our fingertips—there actually has by no means been a greater time to pursue a profession in video video games!

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Day two additionally concerned watching and making an attempt out some unbelievable recreation demos, which gave us a sneak peek into a number of the most extremely anticipated releases of the yr, together with many notable indie developments as effectively. These demos weren’t solely thrilling to play but additionally allowed us to speak and join with builders and get an inside have a look at their artistic course of. 

All through the occasion, we had the possibility to community with tons of individuals within the {industry}. In every single place we appeared, there have been creatives strolling round, every possessing their very own distinctive perspective, imaginative and prescient, and function inside the {industry}. It was nearly inconceivable to not stumble upon somebody and strike up a dialog. 

One wonderful dialog we had was with David Banner, the founding father of Wales Interactive. He shared a short historical past of his profession and key moments about his journey within the gaming {industry}, highlighting how he got here to create superb video games comparable to Maid of Sker. GDC was crammed with moments like this whereas casually strolling round!

Key takeaway: Community!

Networking will be extremely beneficial at an occasion like GDC the place a number of the {industry}’s finest minds congregate. It is an ideal alternative to get to know a number of the individuals who work (and rent folks!) in video video games and higher perceive the ins and outs of the {industry}.

Networking on the whole is tremendous beneficial! It lets you construct your fame and enhance your visibility—so studios and recruiters begin taking discover—whereas providing an avenue to change concepts, encouraging private studying and development. Networking additionally helps you discover your folks and construct your group (my fundamental takeaway from day one). 

CG Spectrum’s Profession Growth Supervisor, Maxine Schnepf’s primary networking tip is to do your analysis. Begin trying up particular corporations related to you—artists and/or studios creating related trying content material or engaged on the kind of initiatives you are inquisitive about. Then it is advisable work out how they received the job or what the expectations are for these corporations.

In addition to networking with folks working within the roles you’d prefer to pusure, you additionally need to attempt to join with individuals who work in adjoining fields—artists who you’ll be able to collaborate with

Day three at GDC

The ultimate day of GDC was bittersweet. We had been exhausted from all of the enjoyable and strolling round however had been decided to make this final full day rely!

We attended a roundtable session on the significance of variety and inclusion within the video games {industry}, together with quite a lot of subjects round psychological well being, which was a extremely motivational and academic expertise.

As we all know, modifications in our {industry} are regularly being made to supply a safer and extra balanced atmosphere for everybody on this {industry}. I felt fortunate to be included and pay attention to such essential conversations! 

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A few of the 28,000 attendees at GDC 2023 (Photograph credit score: GDC)

Quickly it was time to get again to the resort and pack. Our group visited the exhibit ground one final time, taking in all of the last-minute sights and sounds we may earlier than we needed to say our ultimate farewells to this superior convention. 

Key takeaway: Attempt new issues (get out of your consolation zone)

I extremely advocate that every one college students and aspiring recreation builders get away of their consolation zones and hunt down alternatives like GDC. It may be laborious, however it’s value it. Due to my former research at CG Spectrum, I used to be fortunate to have already got an incredible group to share the expertise with, which positively made it much less daunting. My friends helped me to really feel supported and motivated to benefit from this expertise. 

Placing your self on the market and making an attempt new issues can enrich your studying journey and development as an artist, developer, and particular person. And you do not essentially must journey or attend in-person occasions to place your self on the market—even posting your work on-line and accepting constructive criticism counts!

So, take that leap of religion and embrace the chances that await. Who is aware of the place it’d take you? One factor’s for positive: you will not remorse it.

Goodbye, for now, GDC!

As I sat on my flight again to Dallas, I took a while to replicate on the numerous issues I would discovered whereas at GDC, together with how essential it’s to:

  • Make lasting connections along with your friends; 
  • Community with working professionals; 
  • Collect intel about new and altering applied sciences; 
  • Put your self on the market;
  • Dive deeper into topics outdoors of your wheelhouse to have a greater understanding of this {industry} as an entire;
  • Benefit from the journey! 

My expertise as each a pupil and CG Spectrum teammate at GDC was actually unforgettable. From the joy of my CGS teammates and fellow college students to the fun of strolling the expo ground and exploring the newest improvements within the gaming {industry}–each second was crammed with vitality and inspiration.

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Goooo group!

Earlier than I log out, I need to take a second to acknowledge my group. You already know who you might be! Thanks all for serving to me organize schedules, coordinate meetups, and be certain that every part ran easily. With out your help and a focus to element, our time at GDC wouldn’t have been practically as profitable. ✌️


Construct your group whilst you construct your recreation dev abilities!

Together with a job-focused training led by recreation {industry} specialists, enrolling in any of our recreation growth programs at CG Spectrum additionally offers college students entry to our lively on-line group—a supportive community of friends, {industry} mentors, and alumni (lots of whom now work within the {industry}!). It is a spot to get artistic, collaborate, study, share your progress, get beneficial suggestions, obtain technical assist, community, and have enjoyable with 1000’s of like-minded folks!

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