Out of Office - AI Tools and Game Development
2026-02-05 16:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Frontier RTP – 800 PARK OFFICES DRIVE · RTP, NC, 800 PARK OFFICES DRIVE, RTP, NC, 27713, United States
It’s time for another Out of Office Game Industry Speaker Event! Our topic is “AI Tools and Game Development.”
Our speaker for this event is Alix Ollivier, an XR developer and AI advocate working on Balloon Bats, a Meta Quest VR game with over 1,000 active players. He studied at the University of Southern California’s CS (Games) program.
It has been 3 years since the public release of ChatGPT. Since then, we’ve seen incredible evolutions of AI technology, and it’s spilled over into how we develop our games today. Come learn how generative AI can help solo developers and small teams do the work that used to take large teams! Your dream game might be possible to make, if you learn about the opportunities available to all since the last year.
We recognize that AI is a hot button issue, and we ask that the discussion be kept to tools rather than a political/moral discussion. We will have other opportunities to discuss the implications of using AI at another time.
##### SCHEDULE:
> 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Check In, Drinks & Networking
> 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. | Educational Session in Classroom A
> 5:45 – 6:30 p.m. | Drinks & Networking
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/cz2aWSYvjh

IGDA Philly: The Design Philosophy of Heather Flowers
2026-02-10 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Drexel University URBN Building, 3501 Market St., Philadelphia, 19104, United States
For our February meeting, IGDA Philly is excited to welcome Heather Flowers, the indie developer behind Fish Fear Me, Unfair Flips, Snake Farm, and more! She will be discussing her unique perspective and approach to game design, as well as talk about the amazing response to her most recent release, Unfair Flips.
Our meeting will be held in-person at the Drexel University URBN Center, 3501 Market St., Philadelphia, PA, in room 125. Doors open at 7PM. We will also be hosting the event remotely via Zoom. The meeting will not be recorded for later viewing. For online remote presentation, please register here: http://bit.ly/IGDAPhillyMonthlyReg
You can also RSVP for in-person on our Discord: https://discord.gg/XEbmraW

GDC 2026
2026-03-09 - 2026-03-13
Introducing GDC Festival of Gaming.
A transformation of the GDC you know and love, reimagined to include the entire games ecosystem, from design and code to publishing, investment, and marketing. If you make games, welcome home.
And now, one pass gives you the FULL GDC experience—at a better value than ever before. New pass structure, more access, no trade-offs.
IGDA Community saves 10% on tickets with the code IGDA10
GRAB YOUR PASS
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Same World-Class Content, But MORE
Expanding the tent doesn’t mean lowering the bar. Held to the same high technical standards, you’ll now find:
New formats
Broader topics
Content for every discipline & every role
REGISTER NOW
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2026 Session Highlights
* ‘Balatro’ Community Playbook: From Launch to Letting Go *
Emma Smith-Bodie (Community Manager, Playstack)
Learn how to foster loyalty, spark genuine conversation, and recognize when your players are ready to lead. You will leave with actionable strategies and a new perspective on community building, one where stepping back is the ultimate sign of success.
* Constructive Destruction: Fusing Voxel Tech and 3D Action Platforming in ‘Donkey Kong Bananza’ *
Kenta Motokura (Producer, Nintendo Co., Ltd.)
Tatsuya Kurihara (Programmer, Nintendo Co., Ltd.)
Oh, Banana! Developers Kenta Motokura and Tatsuya Kurihara discuss how they brought Donkey Kong gameplay into 3D with the Donkey Kong Bananza game on the Nintendo Switch 2 system. Stemming from their experience developing Super Mario Odyssey, the developers will peel back the layers of their game design approach for Donkey Kong Bananza and dig into how DK’s action-platforming world incorporates voxel technology and destruction-based gameplay where virtually everything in sight can be destroyed.
* Designing POIs (Points of Interest) for ‘The Outer Worlds 2’: Visual, Psychology, and Intuition *
Dan Qiao (Staff Area Designer, Obsidian Entertainment)
Learn how to design visually guided, player-centric levels and Points of Interest by combining player psychology, design affordance, and shape language. Using examples from The Outer Worlds 2, this talk offers actionable strategies for crafting POIs that support narrative, reinforce mechanics, and guide players through environments using cues and visual motifs.
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VIEW ALL SESSIONS

IASIG Town Hall Meeting - GDC 2026
2026-03-12 16:30 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Moscone Convention Center, Room 2018, West Hall, 747 Howard St. West Hall, San Francisco, CA, 94103, United States
Want to improve game audio workflow or the professional audio tools available to you? Join fellow game audio educators, sound designers, composers, audio programmers, and other audio professionals at the Interactive Audio Special Interest Group (IASIG) Town Hall. Get an update on current IASIG efforts, and share your own ideas, suggestions, and recommendations for improving the state of the art in audio for interactive media. If you do audio, come and be heard. The IASIG works as a Special Interest Group in both The MIDI Association and the International Game Developers Association representing Game Audio Developers in those organizations.
Dave Berol (Audio/Voice Director, Surfaceink Product Design & Development)
Pat Scandalis (CEO/CTO, moForte Inc)
Steve Horowitz (Founder and Faculty, Game Audio Institute and SFSU)
Kurt Heidon (Audio Director, Independent)
Alexander Brandon (CEO, Funky Rustic, LLC)

Location: Room 2018, West Hall
Date: Thursday, March 12
Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Pass Type: Festival Pass, Game Changer Pass – Get your pass now!
Audience Level: All
Track: Special Event, Audio
Format: Special Event

REGENERATE Game Jam 2026
2026-03-20 08:00 - 2026-03-22 23:59 (Pacific/Auckland) | Worldwide
The fourth REGENERATE Game Jam is dedicated to imagining sustainable futures. Even in hard times, the future is not predetermined, but to achieve change, we have to imagine it first. Let’s make games that celebrate futures that are sustainable, democratic and equitable.
REGENERATE Game Jam is fully online and is open to people from all over the world.

Hang out at the Tavern with Game Dev Friends!
2026-03-24 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Gamers Geekery, 107 Edinburgh S Dr #213, Cary, NC, United States
It’s time for our next quarterly meet up at Gamers Geekery! Come on out and play some board games with old and new friends!
Gamers Geekery and Tavern is an awesome board game cafe with food, drinks, and a fantastic collection of games. If you’ve enjoyed past IGDA events, or are looking to meet some industry professionals in the area, come on through!
Attendance is free. We have reserved 4 tables, but depending on interest we may ask for additional space, so if you plan to attend, please join the event!
When: Tuesday 9/9 from 6:30-8:30
Where: Gamers Geekery and Tavern (107 Edinburgh S Dr #213, Cary, NC) The Tavern is upstairs.
Have any questions? Comment below, or join our discord and post any questions you have in the events channel! https://discord.gg/YRyaHcrFak

IGDA Vancouver March 25th 2026 Meetup
2026-03-25 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | The Rec Room, Brentwood Mall Center, Burnaby, BC, Canada
Hey! @everyone
Next Meeting Date:
Wednesday March 25th, 2026 is at The Rec Room @ Brentwood Mall Center, 6pm – 10pm
Please get a Ticket with Eventbrite (it’s Free!) so that we have a good idea of how many people will be attending.
(this is not necessary to attend the meeting, but is very helpful to us)
Eventbrite Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/igda-vancouver-march-25th-2026-meetup-tickets-1985490983981
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C4pGvk96A/
Linked-In Event: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7440247934144901120
Hope you can join us!
~chris

gamescom latam
2026-04-14 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
The largest gaming market in Latin America
Latin America is home to over 370 million gamers. In Brazil alone, that number reaches 101 million, making it the 5th largest gaming market in the world. 80% of Brazilians identify as gaming enthusiasts, and the sector generates US$ 2.7 billion in annual revenue.
This is the landscape where gamescom latam takes place. And the numbers speak for themselves.
150,000 visitors. Here’s what that means for your business.
gamescom latam is not just the biggest gaming event in Latin America. It is a business platform built to deliver real results, bringing together representatives from countries across the globe. In 2026, the event brings together:

930+ companies in the business area
1,600+ credentialed professionals in the business area
90+ hours of talks and panels exclusively for the corporate market
US$ 150 million+ in business prospects generated at the event

More than entertainment, gamescom latam is the first gamescom event to take place anywhere in the world in 2026, and this is your chance to be part of an environment full of business opportunity. From April 29 to May 3 at Distrito Anhembi, São Paulo.
I want my business ticket

Opportunities and trends, all under one roof
gamescom latam was designed to connect brands, investors, publishers, distributors and business leaders, while also showcasing and setting the trends that will shape the industry. This edition features games from over 25 different countries, along with an awards ceremony celebrating the best titles in gaming. It is where business opportunity meets the future of the segment.
What the Business Ticket offers
💻 Online business meetings: Schedule meetings with over 1,700 industry professionals.
🎫 Access to the Business area: Entry to Preview Day (04/29) and main event days.
🤝 Qualified networking: Connect with studios, publishers, platforms, and investors.
🎤 Exclusive content: Access to the gamescom latam Connect 1 and 2 stages.
🚀 VIP experience: The Business VIP ticket includes the Welcome Mixer on Preview Day.
I want my business ticket

Biz Admin for Indies
2026-04-14 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Drexel University URBN Building, 3501 Market St., Philadelphia, 19104, United States
WHO: A panel of accounting, legal, and PA tax credit support
WHAT: Biz Admin for Indies
WHERE (IN-PERSON): URBN Center at Drexel University, 3501 Market Street, Room 125, Philadelphia, PA 19104
WHERE (ONLINE): IGDA Philly Monthly Zoom Webinar Register at http://bit.ly/IGDAPhillyMonthlyReg
WHEN: April 14th, 7:00-9:00 PM WHY: Making games for money means making a game company. Join us for an informative panel of accounting, legal, and PA tax credit support.

Plan D - Developer Forum
2026-04-18 14:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | ARTDiCO Portfolio Center, No. 14, 2/F, Commercial Units, Tower 1, Qianhai Trade Square, Qianhai Cooperation Zone, Guangdong, 518054, China
在代码与创意的世界里，我们习惯了独自面对屏幕、调试BUG、打磨玩法，却也渴望能有一群真正懂行的同路人，分享突破瓶颈的狂喜，吐槽开发中的血泪。
In the world of code and creativity, we’re used to facing screens alone — debugging, refining mechanics — yet we long for a community of people who truly get it: to share the euphoria of breaking through a wall, and to vent about the blood and tears of development.

当GDC（Game Developers Conference，游戏开发者大会）的前沿趋势扑面而来，当发行方的选品标准扑朔迷离，一次线下的相聚，或许正是那扇通往新视野与新机遇的窗口。
As the cutting-edge trends from GDC (Game Developers Conference) wash over us, and as publishers’ selection criteria grow ever more elusive, an in-person gathering may be just the window into new perspectives and new opportunities.

为此，IGDA国际游戏开发者协会深圳分会诚意重启「Plan D 开发者论坛」，于4月18日在深圳举办，旨在为本地游戏创作者打造一个开放、专业、有温度的交流场域。
To that end, the IGDA (International Game Developers Association) Shenzhen Chapter is proudly relaunching Plan D Developer Forum, taking place on April 18th in Shenzhen — dedicated to building an open, professional, and human-centered space for local game creators to connect.

无论你是程序员、策划、美术、发行商务，还是正在打磨第一款Demo的独立开发者，都欢迎加入我们，暂别孤独编码，开启一场面对面的深度对话。
Whether you’re a programmer, designer, artist, publishing professional, or an indie developer polishing your very first demo, you’re welcome to join us. Step away from the solitude of coding and open up a real, face-to-face conversation.

我们相聚，是为了：让脑海中的玩法创意，找到第一个愿意认真倾听的同行；让开发中踩过的坑，在你一言我一语的碰撞中，浮现新的解法；让每一个坚持创作的灵魂，真切地感受到——在这座城市里，我们并非独行。我们希望这场论坛，能像一位老朋友的邀约，为你带来半日充实、放松且充满能量的时光。
We come together to: give the gameplay ideas in your head their first audience — someone who will genuinely listen; let the pitfalls you’ve stumbled through in development spark new solutions through the back-and-forth of shared experience; and let every soul who keeps on creating truly feel — that in this city, none of us walks alone. We hope this forum feels like an invitation from an old friend: half a day that’s fulfilling, relaxed, and full of energy.

四月，深圳见。 人已齐，嘉宾已到，游戏已备。期待与你坐下来，听听分享，聊聊开发，也听听你一路走来的创作故事。
April. See you in Shenzhen. Everyone’s here. The speakers have arrived. The games are ready. We look forward to sitting down with you — to hear the talks, swap dev stories, and listen to the creative journey that brought you here.

OOO Speaker Event: Getting Hired in the Games Industry Presented by TEKsystems
2026-05-07 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Frontier RTP – 800 PARK OFFICES DRIVE · RTP, NC, 800 PARK OFFICES DRIVE, RTP, NC, 27713, United States
It’s time for another Out of Office Game Industry Speaker Event: Getting Hired in the Games Industry! Presented by TEKsystems
Sarah Maisto is an Account Manager for Media, Gaming, and Entertainment at TEKsystems and will take us through tips and tricks for getting hired.
In this combo talk and workshop, she’ll cover:

The state of hiring in the Game Industry
What hiring managers in the Game Industry are looking for
Improving your resume and stand out
Getting your resume seen by a human
Improving your interview skills

After the presentation, there will be time to work on your resume and ask questions. So, bring your laptop and resume and join us!
SCHEDULE:
> 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Check In, Drinks & Networking
> 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Educational Session
> 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Workshop & Networking
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/cz2aWSYvjh
https://www.meetup.com/igda-nc-triangle/events/314579544/

IGDA May Meeting: Interactive Narrative Panel
2026-05-12 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Drexel University URBN Building, 3501 Market St., Philadelphia, 19104, United States
IGDA Philly invites everyone to join us for our…
Interactive Narrative Panel
WHO: Local Game Devs and Narrative Designers, including Jonathan Zimmerman of Deck Nine Games, and Brennan Gilpatrick of the PAYDAY Series, and Dr. Ari Gass of Obvious Agency
WHAT: Interactive Narrative Panel
WHERE (IN-PERSON): URBN Center at Drexel University, 3501 Market Street, Room 125, Philadelphia, PA 19104
WHERE (ONLINE): IGDA Philly Monthly Zoom Webinar
WHEN: May 12th, 7:00-9:00 PM
WHY: We are all storytellers, but some of us have stories to tell. Come hear what these storytellers have to tell and ask them questions about interactive narrative design. Open to the public.
IN-PERSON RSVP! Discord Event Link
ONLINE REGISTRATION LINK! http://bit.ly/IGDAPhillyMonthlyReg
Our monthly meetings start with a 30-minute networking hangout. Presentations start at 7:30. Event runs until 9 pm.

IGDA Vancouver May 27th 2026 Meetup
2026-05-27 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | The Rec Room, Brentwood Mall Center, Burnaby, BC, Canada
Our May 2026 Meetup event is set!
All Game Developers (including non-members) are welcome to join our IGDA Vancouver Chapter meetup!

This is a casual event where we meet-and-greet to socialize with other developers in the region, of any discipline, from AAA / indie studios, and students from the various Colleges and Universities in the area.
Next Meeting Date: Wednesday March 25th, 2026 is at The Rec Room @ Brentwood Mall Center, 6pm – 10pm

Please get a Ticket with Eventbrite (it’s Free!) so that we have a good idea of how many people will be attending.
(this is not necessary to attend the meeting, but is very helpful to us)
Eventbrite Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/igda-vancouver-march-25th-2026-meetup-tickets-1985490983981

Expo Gamers
2026-05-29 - 2026-05-30
The international games industry event Expo Gamers will take place May 29–30, 2026 in Opatija, Croatia, bringing together developers, publishers, investors and players for a hybrid conference and expo focused on the Adriatic and Balkan markets.
Originally launched as a consumer-focused event with a small business track, the conference has grown into a gathering attracting established industry professionals and expanding business activity. Held on the Croatian coast, it combines a curated conference program with a public-facing exhibition. Organizers expect more than 3,000 attendees, with roughly 40% industry professionals and 60% consumers, creating an environment intended to support both business development and community engagement.
The program includes multiple professional tracks, panels and talks, along with structured networking through the MeetToMatch platform connecting studios with partners and decision-makers across Southeast Europe. The event positions itself as a gateway to regional markets including Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Applications to speak are open via the website:
https://www.expogamers.com/joinprogram
Alongside the industry program, Expo Gamers also features a consumer expo hall, indie showcase and social events designed to encourage informal interaction between developers and players.
Independent developers may apply to showcase their game in the expo area by March 20, 2026. Accepted teams will be eligible for a discounted Indie Ticket priced at €145.
https://www.expogamers.com/indie
More information about the event and participation details can be found at:
https://www.expogamers.com
IGDA members receive a 20% discount – visit Discounts for the code.

Hang out at the Tavern with Game Dev Friends!
2026-06-23 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Gamers Geekery, 107 Edinburgh S Dr #213, Cary, NC, United States
It’s time for our next quarterly meet up at Gamers Geekery! Come on out and play some board games with old and new friends!
Gamers Geekery and Tavern is an awesome board game cafe with food, drinks, and a fantastic collection of games. If you’ve enjoyed past IGDA events, or are looking to meet some industry professionals in the area, come on through!
Attendance is free. We have reserved 4 tables, but depending on interest we may ask for additional space, so if you plan to attend, please join the event!
When: Tuesday 6/23 from 6:30-8:30
Where: Gamers Geekery and Tavern (107 Edinburgh S Dr #213, Cary, NC) The Tavern is upstairs.
Have any questions? Comment below, or join our discord and post any questions you have in the events channel! https://discord.gg/YRyaHcrFak

Build Games with AI: A 4-Week Workshop
2026-07-16 16:30 - 2026-08-13 18:30 (America/New_York) | Frontier RTP – 800 PARK OFFICES DRIVE · RTP, NC, 800 PARK OFFICES DRIVE, RTP, NC, 27713, United States
YOU MUST SIGNUP WITH THE EVENTBRITE LINK
We all know AI can write code. But how do you go beyond simple games and actually get it to build your game? Over four sessions, you’ll use agentic coding tools to go from idea to a real playable game and learn a little bit about how these tools work and which skills AI can’t replace: taste, judgment, and fun.
Who is this for: Anyone with a game idea! Though we will be writing and manipulating a lot of code, you don’t need to know how to code. All of it will be done by AI.

Week 1 – July 16 – AI Can Build: Turn a simple idea into a working, playable game in a single session.
Week 2 – July 23 – AI Can Collaborate: Level up from one-shot prompting to structured AI workflows that help you build bigger, better features.
Week 3 – July 30 – AI Can’t Make Things Fun: Learn the game design principles that make your game actually worth playing.
Week 4 – Aug 6 – Sharing Makes It Fun: Deploy your game online, then put everything to the test in a mini Game Jam.
Week 5 – Aug 13 – Showcase: Demo your finished games, get feedback, and celebrate what you’ve built at the Frontier RTP Out of Office event.

***Please bring your laptop and signup for Claude Code ($20 monthly)***

MeetToMatch - The Cologne Edition 2026
2026-08-24 09:00 - 2026-08-28 15:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Koelnmesse, Messeplatz 1 50679 Köln, Germany, Köln, Germany
Level up your business opportunities during gamescom with MeetToMatch – The Cologne Edition 2026, powered by Xsolla!
After the incredible success of our 2025 Cologne Edition—with almost 3.000 attendees and more than 11.000 meetings planned—we’re back to bring you the ultimate matchmaking platform during gamescom.
Whether you’re a developer seeking a publisher, a publisher scouting the next breakout hit, or a service provider expanding your network, MeetToMatch brings the right people together efficiently, professionally, and with purpose.
Current signups include:

Join thousands of industry professionals for five days of high-quality, pre-scheduled meetings in Cologne. With our industry-leading matchmaking system, you stay in control.

Gaming Istanbul (GIST) 2026
2026-09-18 10:00 - 2026-09-20 18:00 (Europe/Istanbul) | Istanbul Congress Center, Harbiye, Darülbedai Cd. No:3, 34367 Şişli, Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey
Gaming Istanbul (GIST) is one of the region’s leading gaming industry events, bringing together game developers, publishers, investors, technology companies, and gaming enthusiasts from around the world. As the region’s premier gaming ecosystem platform, GIST welcomes more than 50,000 B2C attendees and 2,500 B2B professionals, making it a must-attend event for the gaming community. IGDA members also receive an exclusive 15% discount on tickets!
When: September 18–20, 2026
Where: Istanbul Congress Center (ICC), Istanbul, Turkey

LA Games Conference
2026-09-30 09:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | UCLA Palisades Ballroom, 51 Charles E Young Drive West, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, Los Angeles, United States
The LA Games Conference returns bringing together leaders from across the games ecosystem, this one-day summit features two focused tracks covering the most important issues shaping the industry today:
Business & Finance – investment, publishing, and growth strategies.
Legal, Policy & Regulation – IP, compliance, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
Don’t miss a day of insights and networking with the professionals powering the business of games!
When: September 30
Where: UCLA Palisades Ballroom
