A Beginner's Guide to GDC | Advice from Schell Games

[{"content":{"text":" I'll be honest, I'm a little nervous. This is my first year working in the video game industry and, while I've been to plenty of conferences in my life, I have never been to something quite as big as GDC. I've downloaded the App, I'm planning my sessions, my travel is all booked, but I still somehow feel unsure. Luckily, I work with amazing people here at Schell Games, and sent out an office-wide ask for their tips for surviving and thriving at GDC 2025. I've compiled all of their answers here into our official Schell Games First-Timers' Guide to GDC, and I plan on having this as an easy reference as I explore San Francisco and make the most of every minute. I hope it helps you, too! "},"id":"65cd6f61-0339-4fb6-a4e1-314de0eb6bb7","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/vyrTKFuPaTDFmpLy"],"src":"","alt":"","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"161a49a7-c257-4313-b321-e92d9783bb14","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Advice from CEO Jesse Schell","customid":""},"id":"81aee86f-6baa-4d6c-b9d7-102fbfee6bec","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" One of the things I love about Schell Games is that when I have a question, everyone from the newest employee to our CEO is happy to help. This first piece of advice came right from Jesse Schell: talk to strangers . There's tons of people at GDC just like you that share your same passions and interests, but you may need to be the one to break the ice to get the convo going. Practice your ability to approach someone with a simple, \"Hi, where do you work?\" GDC attendees are generally happy to talk to you, because they've been hoping to network anyway. Sit with people you don't know at the lunch tables. Get to talks early. Strike up conversations. A few people will give you a look, but most people will appreciate meeting someone new. "},"id":"e0a81c76-b2c2-4645-bd8f-a9bb1c44c895","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/zKloo9NySGvudKGr"],"src":"","alt":"Jesse Schell speaking at GDC","caption":"Want more advice from Jesse Schell? Seriously, just stop and ask him at GDC!","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"559e856d-cc7e-468c-8d01-c40d8f187da1","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Do What You Want to Do","customid":""},"id":"f8ba5e4b-06de-49b9-a234-689aaab58f62","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" One recurring piece of advice I received from Schell Games staff is to worry less about what you should do and do what you want to do at GDC. Some people say go to talks (good for professional connections, plus you can reach out to speakers after); some folks say GDC is all about the nightlife; some say the expo floor is the place to be. But there's no bad experience at GDC; it's just about what you like to do most\/what your goals are for the week. You'll never be able to do everything, so focus on what's fun or will help you grow! Some other Schell Games advice I think fits well under this section is all about planning for success. My colleagues recommended checking out the schedule ahead of time and adding reminders for the ones you don't want to miss in person. But remember, you don't have to see everything live since these speeches will also be on the Vault later. And, make sure to allocate at least half a day of time to wander the show floor! Everyone has a favorite part of the exhibit, but the Alt.ctrl.GDC section of custom controllers repeatedly came up as a must-see. "},"id":"09f04146-82a6-41b2-8f19-d650bc2c18a1","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/T0tWByEbPJAIGhFU"],"src":"","alt":"","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"e9a0118c-cbaa-4058-8ea6-e712c6d6fec0","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"OMG Shoes","customid":""},"id":"9e40f429-a2a9-4aaa-a076-3314130ff225","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" If you understood that reference, then proper foot support is going to be important in your life. Probably the most repeated comment I got from fellow Schell Games colleagues is to wear COMFORTABLE, already-broken-in shoes . Do NOT try to buy new shoes specifically for the event, your feet will be dying. There's a ton of walking and standing around involved and, if you do any bit of exploring around the Bay Area, there are more hills than even our home of Pittsburgh. Also, be smart about the clothes you bring. While California is known for being sunny, San Francisco in March is usually colder than you think it is going to be. Dress in layers and bring an umbrella if you can spare the luggage space. "},"id":"2617c9cc-b81c-43f1-8b85-416ff640e652","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/qXNGkW4Q8LNvqV5h"],"src":"","alt":"","caption":"Think you're exploring all of this in brand new loafers? No way","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"7b28826e-5938-46fe-a19b-246b4adcb306","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"GDC Doesn't Stop on the Show Floor","customid":""},"id":"329555de-0f2c-44a3-9dcc-f0adcf9ee151","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" Even though you may be super tired from the conference, the memories are worth it to get out and enjoy some nightlife and continue networking into the wee hours! Of course, going to as many talks as possible is great, but you can prioritize if you know what will be in the Vault, and getting to know people and broadening your contact list is what GDC is truly all about. Need some help? There's a great GDC Parties resource to help you find fun events you actually want to do with the people you most want to meet. "},"id":"a25d4b70-661f-4673-85d8-8d266c423644","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/rDwCRubngYZnfcm6"],"src":"","alt":"","caption":"","link":"","ratio":"","crop":"false"},"id":"2d9a20c1-a114-41ee-b725-ff0b65909617","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Enjoy Every Meal","customid":""},"id":"c4e7ba7a-8c04-4785-8cb3-f6253d321fb4","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" This one is just a personal recommendation from me, but it was also echoed by a number of Schell Games employees as well. San Francisco is the number two food city in the country and I am begging my fellow foodies to get out there and explore some of the local hotspots. Two of my favorite meals from my last visit to San Francisco include Swan Oyster Depot (crammed wall-to-wall with locals enjoying the freshest oysters on the planet) and Crab House at Pier 39 (also a great touristy hotspot). If you don't mind chains, it's worth heading to Ghiradelli Square for a decadent chocolate treat and to In-N-Out Burger to see what all the hype is about. See that huge line on the convention floor? That crepes stand is one of the best bites at the conference itself, so try to make sure you jump in when the line is short and enjoy at least one. If you don't want to splurge on food, I get it. There's a Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods very close to the convention center if you need budget-friendly meals. "},"id":"142d5a90-32f3-44d8-a87a-799d03f2a480","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"kirby","image":["file:\/\/NiSbxd6BwM0zfSBI"],"src":"","alt":"","caption":"Convention crepes = a must-have","link":"","ratio":"1\/1","crop":"true"},"id":"c494b322-209b-4f61-a59e-d17b7e508103","isHidden":false,"type":"imageBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"GDC Game Industry Coffee Chat Guide","customid":""},"id":"efee4fbe-a0cc-4f49-a398-6cc55c1e74e8","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" While writing this article, I became aware of this absolutely wonderful guide put together by my friends in the Game Industry Coffee Chat Discord. If you are looking for specific recommendations on accommodations, transportation, and way more specific food recs, be sure to use their guide as well as a companion piece to this one! "},"id":"a60e8197-02b9-4f60-89aa-462e8bbbda5d","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Look for Schell Games at GDC","customid":""},"id":"b4ad9b33-d164-4b31-b80e-5e33de9376f4","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" Want to hear from the experts at Schell Games? We have four studio members speaking at five different times during GDC 2025 : "},"id":"11490c30-d110-4502-8ba3-5c41825dad90","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"text":" Stories of Studio Stability | Jesse Schell (CEO) Game Studio Principles: A Case Study | Jesse Schell (CEO) Audio Summit: Bringing the Party Home: Designing Audio for Mixed Reality | Crystal Lee (Game Studio Artist) Future Realities Summit: A New Kind of 'House Party': Designing for Multiplayer MR | Joey Ziolkowski (Advanced Designer) Local Game Community Organizers Roundtable | Daniel Lin (Senior Artist) "},"id":"6acd92a3-f54b-4a82-8ca0-5fc2433d7c7a","isHidden":false,"type":"listBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Connect with Me","customid":""},"id":"699c882c-f706-4a09-ae34-8a32daac750e","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":" If you read all the way down here, thanks for reading! Be sure to connect with me (Jared Bundy) on the GDC App and let's grab coffee or play some Ms. Pac-Man together. "},"id":"89f38f3b-9e91-4611-8032-cf9c77bbac7d","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"}]