Mark DeLoura of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) discusses the decline in attendance for the 2026 event, outlining the adjustments proposed for 2027

GDC Festival of Gaming signage

Image credit: GDC Festival of Gaming

Despite a 30% decrease in attendance at the 2026 Game Developers Conference (GDC) Festival of Gaming, the event's organizers remain optimistic. Mark DeLoura, VP of content strategy, expressed confidence in the event's significance to the gaming sector when speaking to GamesIndustry.biz.

"Our aim is to ensure the event remains as valuable to attendees as possible," said DeLoura. "This year, though attendance dropped, we still had 20,000 game developers present, maintaining its status as a leading global developer conference. Although fewer attendees were apparent, the quality of discussions was notably high. We're committed to expanding the event, focusing on enhancing its appeal to a broader audience. Our responsibility is to support the growing community of game developers, especially now."

A photo of Mark Deloura

Mark DeLoura | Image credit: GDC

Plans are underway to rejuvenate GDC for 2027, including compressing the event to four days, which DeLoura noted has been a frequent request. Additionally, a new Business Hall will be introduced to encourage networking and business collaborations, typically held in surrounding hotels.

"Given the game's competitive environment, facilitating meetings, partnerships, and funding opportunities is essential," DeLoura explained. The Business Hall will feature versatile spaces such as bookable pods and a lounge for executives to encourage casual and formal interactions.

The Business Hall aims to enhance accessibility, with entry set at $125. Festival Hall Only passes are priced at $175. Adjusted pricing includes Academic, Indie, or Startup passes at $299 and the Festival pass at $549, reduced from $649 previously. The Game Changer pass now costs $1,249, down from $1,699 in 2026.

For 2027, the conference introduces novel Hot Topic discussions addressing emerging themes like generative AI. The new Emerging Summits will diversify discussions further, with topics rotating annually.

DeLoura concluded, "We are committed to providing developers with timely insights into industry trends, ensuring they can easily locate pertinent information. This remains our primary goal."