This should be an interesting experience this year.
1) What to Expect from GDC Summer
GDC Summer will continue to offer the sessions, networking, and digital expo activities (Sponsor Showcase) that the games industry has come to expect from the Game Developers Conference (GDC), as well as introduce exciting new opportunities made available via a robust digital platform when the conference takes place in August.
Check out everything attendees can expect from the all-digital event in the interview with GDC General Manager Katie Stern here. You can also view all of the already confirmed content for GDC Summer here.
2) GDC Summer Session Highlights
GDC Summer will feature sessions from the game studios and companies behind some of the industry’s biggest innovations and most beloved games. We’ve highlighted a few recently announced sessions below:
In a special talk titled “Live Your Story: Immersive Storytelling at ‘Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” Walt Disney Imagineering will discuss the development of the Star Wars: Datapad, a mobile exploration tool that unlocks the stories of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Star Wars-themed land at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort that is Disney’s most immersive, technologically advanced themed land to date.
Fans of Star Wars will also be able to check out a virtual talk titled “Physical Animation in ‘Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” by Respawn Entertainment’s Senior Software Engineer Bartlomiej Waszak about the physical animation system used in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Attendees walk away with a deeper understanding of the physics and animation systems at play in Fallen Order, as well as unique insights into how Respawn created it.
The Experimental Gameplay Session, which debuted games like Katamari Damacy, flOw, Braid, Portal and Storyteller, is back for its 18th year at GDC during GDC Summer! The Experimental Gameplay Workshop is a fast-paced, game-packed session in which panelists showcase a selection of intriguing prototypes made by innovation-minded game developers from all over the world.
In a special Audio track talk titled “A Bloody Symphony of Characters: Music and Leitmotiv in ‘Mortal Kombat 11” veteran composer Wilbert Roget will walk attendees through the process of writing and developing unique character themes in Mortal Kombat 11.
3) New Ask Me Anything Sessions
GDC organizers are excited to debut a new series of “Ask Me Anything” live Q&A sessions at GDC Summer, in which attendees will have the opportunity to ask industry experts practical questions about key topics in game development. These AMAs are part of the all-digital GDC Summer’s new lineup of interactive sessions, and each will give attendees 30 minutes to discuss important topics and issues in game development with luminaries from across the industry, including:
During “Ask Me Anything: Funding & Investment Q&A with David Gardner” attendees will have opportunities to ask LVP General Partner David Gardner questions about key game dev funding topics like how to get funding, what amounts of money can be raised from venture, whether developers should even consider raising money, and more.
How developers can adapt to remote working arrangements as a result of the ongoing pandemic will be discussed candidly by veteran game dev and Funomena CEO Robin Hunicke in “Ask Me Anything: Working Together, Apart, In Dynamic Times Q&A with Robin Hunicke.”
Attendees can pick the brain of a veteran game composer during “Ask Me Anything: Composer Q&A with Winifred Phillips.” Winifred Phillips has worked on games in franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, God of War, LittleBigPlanet, Total War, and The Sims.
4) A Sneak Peek At How You’ll Meet Peers And Network At GDC Summer
The GDC organizers have given an overview of opportunities that GDC Summer attendees can expect that capitalize on the strengths of this year’s all-virtual event. Those networking opportunities include:
Traditional Networking: GDC Summer attendees will have access to an online events platform which makes it easy to share contact information and text chat directly with fellow attendees throughout the event. Attendees will also be able to book private one-on-one video meetings with colleagues at their convenience, and take advantage of an AI-driven contact recommendation engine.
Session Networking: As mentioned above, GDC Summer will also debut an array of interactive sessions designed to stir interesting, productive conversations. Attendees will have the chance to engage with peers and industry experts in GDC Summer’s interactive roundtable and Ask Me Anything sessions, where attendees can ask questions and connect with like-minded professionals in convivial discussions about key industry issues.
Social Activities: GDC Summer’s expanded hours include dedicated programming for warming up before the event, relaxing during, and winding down with fellow attendees at the end of the day. Expect plenty of opportunities between sessions to take part in activities like yoga, guided meditation, or a mixology session.
