EGD at GDC 2025, Part 2 – Real Talk & Real Connections

Previously, we talked about the excitement of arriving in San Francisco and taking in the city’s sights and sounds, but today, let's discuss how our EGD Collective crew dove headfirst into the heart of the Game Developers Conference!

From speaker sessions and roundtables to meeting fellow developers and spending a little too much time at the Japan Expo booth, the rest of the week was packed with fantastic moments and inspiring takeaways!

Here are some of the highlights:

Notable Talks and Panels

The talks at GDC ranged from highly technical to deeply personal, so there was something for everyone, no matter your role in game development.

A session that stood out in particular was “Us and Them” – Building Healthy Relationships with Players and Partners, led by Johan Pilestedt, CCO of Arrowhead and creative lead for Helldivers 2. The talk focused on the importance of fostering trust and empathy between developers, partners, and player communities.

Afterward, attendees were able to chat directly with Pilestedt. One conversation even turned into a sudden pitch for a new Warbond idea based on Helldivers lore!

That's not all, of course. Here are some other awesome talks we saw:

• ‘Embracing Neurodiversity and Leadership in the Game Industry,’ which emphasized the value of neuro-inclusive leadership and cultivating supportive, diverse team environments.

• Discord's talk on community-building unpacked how online platforms are shaping immersive play experiences across games of all sizes.

Whether you were a narrative designer, artist, or casual gamer, these talks sparked so many side conversations, spontaneous meetups, and new ideas to take home!

IGDA Roundtables: Inclusive and Impactful

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering game developers around the world to gain long-term careers. At GDC, they hosted roundtables and mentoring spaces that were accessible to all passholders—including those with Expo Passes, like several EGD members.

We were lucky enough to attend some especially meaningful ones:

• The 'Neurodiversity in the Games Industry Roundtable' provided a safe space for conversations about navigating studio life, self-advocacy, and finding community as neurodivergent professionals in a changing industry.

• The 'Latinx in Games Roundtable', where devs and allies came together to share experiences, build community, and explore how to uplift Latinx voices and create a more inclusive industry.

Some of the group in the Expo Hall.

The Expo Hall

No GDC recap would be complete without talking about the Expo Hall: a large, energetic zone where indie developers (even student teams!) had the invaluable opportunity to showcase their games to thousands of attendees!

One area that was a favorite for some of us was the Japan Expo Booth, where people got to try titles like Hololive Treasure Mountain (a Vtuber-themed arcade puzzle game) and Chrono Gear: Warden of Time (a 2D platformer with time-bending mechanics). Both demos brought nostalgia with a twist—the former was even reminiscent of Angry Birds but with fewer pigs and more matching idols. Some mascots made an appearance too, like Sun Wukong and Duo.

Aside from the booths, attendees could score everything from swag to potential collabs. Folks from EGD’s group walked away with:

• A Discord Wampus plushie (the line was a test of endurance, but we persevered for cuteness).

• New friendships with fellow narrative, systems, and audio designers were made both on and off the show floor!

Lasting Connections Through Networking

At GDC, networking wasn’t just about shaking hands—it was about finding your people. Our students met with writers, developers, and other professionals in ways that felt both real and valuable during social activities like Speed Networking and Zero Proof Game Night (which featured top-tier free tacos if I may add).

These moments led to everything from mentorship and sharing projects to career advice. Whether they were geeking out over D&D or swapping portfolio tips on a double-decker bus, our students left with new connections, clearer goals, and a stronger sense of where they belong in games.

Students at Spark Social, EGD's fun meet-up event hosted on an empty bus!

🚀 What's Next?

GDC was a career-launching point with its unforgettable talks and powerful connections, but we're not done just yet. In the next and final part, we'll reflect on how this experience lived up to (or even surpassed) expectations, the key lessons we’re bringing home, and what’s next for both individual attendees and EGD as a whole.

Stick around for more!

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Follow the EGD Collective on social media to get updates on our upcoming events and workshops (Twitter / Instagram / Facebook). We encourage you the community on the EGD Discord server to meet some new friends and gain access to our wide array of services and resources!

Finally, consider joining our membership program! Benefits of registering for our membership tiers include access to student support services, fellowship programs, and more. You can find more information on our website here.