The Game Developers Conference is almost upon us, which means not only expensive flights and even more expensive lodgings, but also the potential for priceless memories and conversations. Seniors with vast wisdom to share, mid-level developers with interesting stories to tell, juniors with fresh ideas with which to inspire — it’s important to make the most of each opportunity you have to speak to someone.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t scary, especially for those of us with social anxiety, neurodivergence, or plain old shyness. GDC reported hosting almost 30,000 attendees in 2025. That means there are nearly 30,000 people you can socialize with. Terrifying, isn’t it?
That’s why Mothership has let me make a list of etiquette points for navigating conferences like this one!
If this article makes the nerve-wracking activity of socializing any less intimidating, please feel free to save it and refer to it as many times as you need. There’s no shame in needing a little help with an art humans have never been able to perfect. And of course, this list isn’t comprehensive — we’d be curious about your own recommendations — but perhaps it’s a place to start.
Ready? Let’s delve into minimizing Grand Difficulties with Communicating.
Navigating professional conversations
At the end of the day, GDC is a professional networking community. In this industry, we commonly mix the professional with the friendly, which can make boundaries trickier.
A good benchmark to aim for is to be kind, curious, and thoughtful, but here are some specific pieces of advice that might come in handy.
Go into conversations with no expectations of a job. Be curious about people and express gratitude for their time. At worst, you learned more about an interesting person — and there are so many interesting people at GDC! At best, a genuine connection may lead to an opportunity someday. Don’t expect it, though; we recommend you to enjoy connecting with another person for the joy of it.
Do not look at someone's badge and cut off conversation just because you’ve decided they're not worth speaking to. Each year, at least one person I know tells me this has happened to them and it is angering. A person’s worth is not measured through the companies they work for.
If you want to speak with someone after their talk, try making it brief and light since they probably have other folks eager to talk with them in line. However, feel free to offer a way to connect online.
Don’t hand out your business card without taking the time to have a proper conversation with someone. Talk with them first, get to know them, and offer your business card if it goes well.
Someone may offer you paid mentorship. Know that mentorship is inherently an unpaid practice; paid mentorship is a grift.
Finding your way in big groups
Group conversations are perhaps the most frightening. Are you speaking too often? Too little? Should you say something, or should you stay quiet to maintain group harmony? Agh! Let’s go over a few points that may help you navigate group socializing.
At conferences like GDC, it's natural for groups to gradually form. Someone sees their friend talking to someone else, they’re welcomed into the conversation, and before you know it, a circle has formed. If you’re comfortable in a circle, keep an eye out for anyone who’s on the outside trying to fit into it. Don’t hesitate to be the person who subtly asks the group if people can step back to create extra space.
Ask people questions, regardless of whether they're senior to you or not. Questions can make people feel like their presence is appreciated. Take time to show you are interested in learning about a person. Let people surprise and delight you; you might have an opportunity to surprise and delight them in turn.
When in a group, try to maintain eye contact with everybody when speaking. Sitting in a group in which you feel ignored is a universally terrible feeling. Don’t be the person responsible for making someone feel that way (especially a junior).
Speaking of juniors: If you see a junior — especially one who is a marginalized person — making a thoughtful attempt at being part of a group, doing all the right things, but nonetheless struggling to fit in? Help them out. Be the person they'll remember for having made them feel comfortable and confident. Juniors are the lifeblood of this industry and we should take care of them as much as we can.
Conversing with people of marginalized genders
I really wish I didn’t need a section specifically for how (cis) men should interact with women, trans folks, and nonbinary people — but we are not to blame for that!
This is still a heavily cisgender-male-dominated space. In fact, while it might’ve looked like we were making diversity strides in recent years, the dire state of the industry means that we might be seeing far fewer people of color, women, queer people, and disabled people become a part of it in the near future.
The power dynamics between men and women at large are still present within this industry. It’s vital for men to keep that and the following points in mind.
To the good men in the industry: look out for the women around you. Stand up for them if you see them being ogled, hit on, objectified, leered at, etc. Keep an eye on their drinks for them.
Especially for men with seniority: introduce the women you enjoy socializing with to other good people who are in the rooms only you have access to. Uplift them in an industry that constantly fails to.
If you see a woman having a private chat with someone, especially another woman or nonbinary person, please do not hover or insert yourself into the conversation. Communication is key! You are free to politely ask if you’re interrupting something. If that is indeed the case, take the answer gracefully, let them know you’d like to chat at another time, and move on.
This should go without saying, but do not follow women around unless you know them well and have asked for their permission to tag along. Absolutely do not stalk them. This happens constantly; in fact, it happened to me at my very first conference. This is not okay under any circumstance.
Neither is hitting on women. Again, this is a professional event — you need to act like it. And especially do not hit on women who are junior to you, who may fear repercussions to their career if they were to protest.
Do not engage with women solely because they feel approachable and in your view may be able to connect you with professional opportunities. In short, do not use women as a shortcut to speak to others.
If you want to connect with a woman ahead of GDC, do so respectfully and politely. Take time to point out something about her work that you genuinely respect or admire. Show that you see her as a person rather than a resource.
When you do reach out to a woman, give her an out for whatever reason she may need it. When I contact people I don’t know well ahead of GDC, I try to remember to mention it’s totally okay if their schedule is “already full” or “too busy.” It shows you're being considerate of their time.
And finally…
Have fun! Be kind to others! Make people with good vibes feel welcome! We're an industry full of people who, at some point in their lives, have probably felt excluded due to their love for video games. Many of us know what it feels like to be ostracized.
As a collective industry, let’s do our best to ensure we don’t repeat those cycles. GDC can be scary for a plethora of reasons, but we should individually do our best to make it less overwhelming for each other.
I hope those of you going to GDC — or any conference in the future that you’ll use this article for — have a wonderful time speaking to the many intriguing, talented, and wonderful people who make this industry what it is today.
Natalie Checo is a writer, social media manager, and community manager at Sunset Visitor who also does community work at Black Tabby Games. She has written for Fanbyte, Paste Magazine, IGN, Polygon, and more.
