The founder of GDC describes the event as "increasingly turning into a dinosaur"

Chris Crawford, the initiator of the Game Developers Conference (GDC), believes the "enormous expenses" involved in the event are making it "obsolete" when compared with the minimal costs associated with online interactions.

Crawford's legacy includes a tenure at Atari in the 1980s and the development of the Macintosh game "Balance of Power," a Cold War simulation. He established GDC in 1988, with the initial gathering occurring at his residence in California.

He exited overseeing the event in the 1990s after disagreements with board members over its evolution.

Recently, GDC has been rebranded to the GDC Festival of Gaming. However, The Guardian noted that this change might not secure the future of this historic gaming convention. Games editor Keza MacDonald criticized the high costs and pointed out the hesitancy of international developers to travel to the US.

GamesIndustry.biz approached Crawford via email for his insights. He acknowledged his potential disconnect from the industry but shared these thoughts:

"Significant changes have diminished GDC's relevance.

"Originally, game developers had few avenues to share ideas; GDC was the solution for that need. Now, there are numerous platforms for discussing all elements of game creation. Video communication allows global interaction.

"Considering the hefty expenditure of attending GDC compared to the negligible costs of online engagement, it appears GDC is nearing obsolescence."

GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to GDC for a response, and updates will follow if a statement is received.