"It doesn't feel safe"–Many international game developers plan to skip GDC in US
7 hours ago
- #Game Developers Conference
- #Political Climate Impact
- #International Travel Concerns
- Tens of thousands of game developers gather annually in San Francisco for the Game Developers Conference (GDC).
- Many international developers are avoiding this year's GDC due to safety concerns in the U.S., especially for minority groups and those with transgender identities.
- Developers cite a perceived hostility toward international travelers and political targeting as reasons for skipping the event.
- Some developers had already reconsidered attending GDC after the 2020 cancellation due to COVID-19, questioning the value of in-person events.
- The 2025 GDC, held during President Donald Trump's second term, intensified concerns due to stricter immigration policies and border scrutiny, deterring many attendees.