GDC Courses

Mentorship Cheat Code - Raising Diverse Talent in the Games Industry

Industry professionals share experiences on mentorship's role in shaping careers and fostering diversity in gaming. Learn how mentorship can be a powerful tool for personal growth and creating a more inclusive games industry.

• YouTube
• 54 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Benefits of Missing Out - What Cyberpunk 2077 Taught Us About Non-Linear Level Design

Explore level design insights from Cyberpunk 2077, focusing on player reception, lessons learned, and techniques for creating rewarding branching paths while maintaining production efficiency.

• YouTube
• 53 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Play With Your Audience - Enhancing Your Social Strategy Through Theater

Discover how theatrical techniques can elevate your social media strategy, fostering playful connections with gaming communities and boosting brand awareness organically.

• YouTube
• 28 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Occupational Burnout in Games - Causes, Impact, and Solutions

Explore occupational burnout in the gaming industry, its causes, long-term effects, and strategies for resilience. Gain insights from personal experiences and learn implementable steps to combat this pervasive issue.

• YouTube
• 59 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Starting Your Career in a Post-Pandemic World

Practical advice for game industry newcomers: non-traditional networking, video interviews, and remote learning from colleagues in a post-pandemic world. Insights for adapting to the evolving career landscape.

• YouTube
• 59 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

The Future of Play

Explore the game industry's expansion, new perspectives, and challenges. Learn about designing culturally diverse games, remote studio culture, and successful UGC platforms.

• YouTube
• 55 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Lost XP - Why Junior Game Developers Quit and How to Help

Explore empirical data and solutions to retain talented junior game developers in the industry, addressing challenges and interventions for a more diverse and sustainable workforce.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Finding Inspiration and Planning Luck - A Story of a Solo Dev-Dad of Color

Adam Kareem shares his journey from solo game dev hobbyist to landing a publishing deal, offering insights on inspiration, perseverance, and balancing family life while creating a Mega Man X-inspired platformer.

• YouTube
• 33 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Open Salaries - Ensuring Equitable Pay Through Pay Transparency

Explore the benefits and challenges of open salary practices in companies, with insights from Lightforge Games' three-year experience implementing pay transparency.

• YouTube
• 31 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Advocacy Microtalks - Cultivate Your Karass

Six game creators challenge norms, advocating for expanded possibilities in game development and design through thought-provoking microtalks that range from serious to silly, encouraging community engagement and debate.

• YouTube
• 57 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

No-Budget DIY Marketing for Indie Games

Learn to create an effective marketing and PR plan for indie games with minimal time and budget, covering press outreach, social media, and more in just one hour a day.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Key Quest Design Lessons from 'The Witcher 3' and 'Cyberpunk 2077'

Discover 10 crucial quest design principles from 'The Witcher 3' and 'Cyberpunk 2077', based on 17 years of industry experience. Gain insights to enhance your game development skills.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 3 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Designing Marvel Snap

Dive into 15 years of collectible card game design wisdom as Ben Brode shares insights from Hearthstone and MARVEL SNAP, offering valuable knowledge for game developers and enthusiasts.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 1 minute
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

A Moderation Guide for Successful Brand Livestreams and Digital Events

Comprehensive guide for brands on moderating livestreams and digital events, covering business case, safety issues, and practical implementation strategies for successful online engagement.

• YouTube
• 29 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Growing an Internet Cult - Cult of the Lamb's Social Strategy

Explore how 'Cult of the Lamb' leveraged meme-able moments, iconic art, and social media analytics to build a culturally relevant gaming brand and grow an engaged community.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 2 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk