We heard you! The second annual Pitch Drive provides developers, games professionals, and industry organizations with a platform to help shape the overall GDC attendee experience through fellowship opportunities, on-site demos and activations, partner events, and more.
Ahead of the extended application deadline on October 10, Game Developer sat down with GDC Events Director Stephanie Hawkins to discuss this year's Call for Partners program, explore the different ways the game development community can make their mark at GDC 2026, share tips on what makes a great partnership proposition, and more.
Do you already have an idea? Submit your proposal here!
How is GDC 2026 different?
Hawkins: GDC 2026 presents the Festival of Games – it's more than just a convention and exhibition venue, it's a platform for inspiration, education, deal-making and celebration! GDC 2026 will bring together everyone who makes games: developers, publishers, platforms, investors, tool makers, marketers, educators, content creators and much more.
Be on the lookout for new experiences with daytime options throughout Moscone, nightly entertainment, organized meetings, a refurbished showroom and networking opportunities throughout the city.
What is a call to partners?
Hawkins: We're in the midst of planning for GDC 2026… and we have a lot of surprises for you. At this stage of the planning process, we are looking for people and organizations who would like to collaborate with us in creating a unique experience for the GDC gaming festival. This could be anything from providing scholarships for marginalized community members to holding an event on the fairgrounds or organizing a meet-up. Our community is so creative that we want to help make your ideas a reality. And we are happy to promote them too!
The competition application process aims to provide a transparent and realistic timeline for employees to work alongside the GDC team to bring their vision to life.
There are five different categories of partnerships covered by the Call for Partners:
-
Media: Organizations that cover, publicize, or promote video games and industry news.
-
Fellowship: Groups interested in sharing GDC passes to improve the work of game developers from marginalized communities.
-
GDC Festival Activation: An event/experience that will take place at the official GDC Festival premises in consultation with GDC during the day or evening.
-
GDC Affiliate Program: An event/experience held outside of the GDC festival grounds that is advertised on the GDC website and meets certain health and safety requirements.
The application deadline is October 10th. The GDC team reviews applications on an ongoing basis and will respond to all submitters no later than November 19th.
Could you tell us more about what festival activation is?
Hawkins: You can have fun here! Festival activations can be anything from community gatherings in a unique setting, to performances by your band between sessions, arcade games to inspire networking, a film screening, a LEGO building competition, a speedrun, to on-site exhibitions with a giant play area. You have a lot of opportunity to shape exactly what you want to bring to the show.
Image from the Game Developers Conference.
Past examples of festival activations include venues such as the Video Game History Gallery, which was organized in collaboration with the Video Game History Foundation; board sessions hosted by the Association of Board Game Designers; Mentor Café from the International Game Developers Association; testing the game using Unpub; as well as demo derbies and the Game Audio Network Guild awards space.
Tell us more about GDC scholarships
Hawkins: Last year, GDC worked with 32 organizations that distributed more than 700 passes to members of marginalized communities. This was a great opportunity for community members who would otherwise not be able to attend GDC without outside help to participate in the event. Some of the organizations we have worked with are: AIAS Foundation, Black in Gaming Foundation, Game Audio Diversity Alliance and The IGDA Foundation.
Learn more about past partners and the scholarship program Here.
What is the GDC Affiliate Program?
Hawkins: This year we are launching a new type of partnership called the GDC Affiliate Program. This was made possible by feedback from participants and the need to encourage and support safe social experiences throughout GDC week.
Networking is one of the main reasons attendees come to GDC. We know that our community groups and sponsors host events throughout the week that are not an “official” part of GDC. We are happy to advertise such outdoor events as long as they meet our safety criteria. We will be releasing more information about the GDC Partner Program and security criteria in the coming weeks.
What makes a good partner competition application?
Hawkins: I would sum it up with a question: what would you like to visit/see during GDC week? That's exactly what it is. We want to see your most creative ideas!
Please explain why your idea should become a reality. Please be as specific as possible about your idea (e.g. your goal; timeline; what you can deliver; what you need from the GDC team; and if you've done something similar in the past, an example would go a long way!)
Image from the Game Developers Conference.
All ideas are welcome! Our community's creativity is reaching a new level! We want to know what you want to see, hear, or play during GDC week.
Are there other ways to participate in GDC 2026?
Hawkins: Here are some more ways to get involved:
-
Apply to the Independent Games Festival (IGF)
-
Become an IGF judge or juror
-
Submit an alternative controller game for alt.ctrl.GDC.
Submit your presentation now! Deadline: October 10.
Game Developer and GDC are subsidiaries of parent company Informa.
