“A story of 2 halves”: The Cellular Experts weigh in on GDC 2026

• “GDC will have been smaller this 12 months than in earlier years, however the environment was once as colourful as ever.” – Haz Dulull.
• “GDC wanted a restart. And it were given one.” – Oscar Clark.
• “The Expo was once significantly smaller this 12 months, which makes you wonder whether it will disappear utterly.” – Martine Spanns.

GDC 2026 has simply wrapped up and this 12 months’s match marked a shift with its rebrand to the GDC Competition of Gaming. 

Along that’s the wider context of attendance, which was once in large part impacted this 12 months by means of ongoing political tensions in america, which led some doable attendees to rethink commute, in addition to escalating war in Iran and around the Center East, which made it bodily unattainable for others to make the adventure. 

To get a clearer image of the way the display went this 12 months, we spoke to our Cellular Experts who attended to listen to their ideas on GDC 2026.

Martine Spaans

Normal Supervisor

at Dutch Video games Affiliation

It was once simple to note there have been a long way much less attendees this 12 months, however I’m undecided if the authentic numbers paint the total image. I do know somewhat a couple of individuals who would in most cases get the inexpensive Expo Move, however since that possibility is now not to be had they determined to not get any move this 12 months. Networking isn’t carried out on the Expo anyway, however in lodge lobbies and at facet occasions. 

The Expo was once significantly smaller this 12 months, which makes you wonder whether it will disappear utterly. 

GDC has all the time attracted 2 varieties of crowds that don’t combine: Individuals who opt for the content material, and those who opt for the industry conferences. That hole has simplest higher with this new setup. 

I don’t suppose the folk at the back of GDC anticipated a direct complete embody in their new Competition setup. I suppose it is advisable say it has so much in not unusual with launching a sport: Unencumber, take a look at, reiterate, make stronger. I am hoping they do proceed making improvements to. When E3 disappeared, GDC was once there instead. But when GDC disappears, what Northern American selection is there?

Haz Dulull

Founder / Director

GDC will have been smaller this 12 months than in earlier years, however the environment was once as colourful as ever, fuelled by means of optimism, momentum, and a shared pressure to stay pushing video games ahead , with many indie video games in construction and being signed too!

Oscar Clark

Leader Technique Officer

at Essentially Video games

I used to be out for PGC SF and GDC closing week and it was once wonderful.

However a story of 2 halves.

The politics ahead of I went held up numerous non-US folks from attending; and with the war in Iran and wider middle-east which will have to now not be omitted. It made it a troublesome selection for plenty of causes. 

This additionally had sensible implications as various people, together with two of my panelists at the Group Clubhouse observe have been actually not able to make it because of flight restrictions.

However regardless of being smaller the standard of people attending was once improbable. The entire talks I witnessed have been busy. For each the Group Clubhouse observe on Tuesday and the Microtalk on fundraising (Because of Paul Kilduff-Taylor; Gina Jackson; John Graham and Ian Hardingham for having me on that) at the closing slot of Friday we had complete rooms. And a lot of people short of to invite questions afterwards.

I nonetheless had the entire conferences with people who did not have badges too… In reality I had conferences with doable companions, previous buddies, and nice potentialities nearly each hour of the week.

In addition to that I interviewed a number of people on the display, and while there have been skeptics and optimists I believe that chatting with Kate Edwards on Friday summed it up for me. GDC wanted a restart. And it were given one. Should you call to mind it that means then this was once an excellent match.

Other people can take a look at my LinkedIn for interviews I recorded over the display together with with Dave Bradley and Craig Chapple from PGBiz.

Rebecca Liao

CEO and co-founder

at Saga

GDC was once noticeably smaller this 12 months, with only a few attendees if truth be told exploring the display flooring. As an alternative, nearly all of process was once inside of occasions and conferences outdoor the principle venue. 

This if truth be told mirrors the rage for B2B meetings throughout industries the place firms obtain way more ROI from person conferences or smaller occasions with communities and vital goal consumers. 

The patron gaming displays will most probably stay their wattage, however the nature of GDC has basically modified, and more than likely for the simpler.

Katharina Schmidt

Senior Industry Building Supervisor

at Rovio

Attendance stage at GDC was once decrease this 12 months, however I for my part really feel each I and my companions have been ready to order time for vital industry discussions greater than most likely in most cases. Discussions targeted so much on execution and actionable results.