☕ Morning Coffee: TL;DR GDC 2025

Okay, okay -- I feel like I owe you an apology, dear reader. If you've read, or attempted to read, my most recent post on the 8 1/2 Lessions Learned @ GDC 2025, I am forever indebted to you because, as I make very clear in the article and my subsequent post on LinkedIn later that week:

IT. WAS.

LONG.

I realize now that everyone may not have 22 minutes to read an article surrounding the ramblings of a person they might've never met before about a topic they might only be slightly interested in. Let's be real, a 22min-read article isn't as eye-catching as a 22-min IRL/Day-In-The-Live/POV Vlog. I'm not writing for the NYT (yet...) so I should probably tone down my writing to more digestible pieces. Introducing -- Morning Coffee

Short blurbs, thoughts, observations, and anecdotes anyone can read over coffee. Perfect if you're on the train, on the throne, in line, or any other situation you'd rather not be making eye contact with other people. Labled with either a "☕" in the title or a "DRINK MEEEEE" banner.

First up, obviously, is all the good bits from my original article titled "8 1/2 Lessons Learned @ GDC". Enjoy!

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I had the pleasure recently of attending GDC 2025, for those of you unfamilar with what GDC is, it's essentially a nerd conference for nerds who have a hand in making nerds.

To paint a simpler picture, GDC stands for the Game Developers Convention. It happens every years around the last week or so of March, bringing developers, publishers, studios, freelancers, fresh graduates, and more to a convention center at the heart of San Francisco.

Now I could tell you all the ways to prep, what to expect, and how to make the most out of your convention experience: what to see, what pass to grab, what snacks to bring, where to eat, off-sites, but that would be too easy and there are plenty of other articles that cover those exact topics and I wouldn't feel write attempting to take clicks away from those finely-tuned articles. I've also never been to GDC myself before this year, so I don't feel like it would be right for me to comment on "the most effective way to tackle GDC!!!!!!!"

Instead, I'll hit you with a more philisophical look on what I learned and how I think folks, regardless of industry status or experience, might be able to benefit from for next years GDC. (I'm shooting for the stars with that comment.)

time I'm typing this: 12:45am, 04/19/2025

Tip 1: Be Flexible + Go With The Flow

There's a lot to do at GDC both at the convention center but also PLENTY to do off-site all from sun up to sun down. I know, because I was originally planning my entire week around off-sites exclusively, as I didn't have an Exhibitor Pass at the time. Things happened, words were exchanged, levels were up'd, you know the whole thing.

Be like the Chill Guy

Some of my most cherished interactions were with folks I randomly met and decided to grab a bite with, invite out to lunch cause I was hungry, or had a conversation on the floor of an event that wasn't that great to begin with. Their heart was in the right place, it was just... not it. You're there to meet like-minded folks, who are also there to meet like-minded folks. Lean into improv and practive the "Yes, And..." method of life. I promise, it'll be so much fun. But also, use your best judgement, they're still strangers, it's still a big city, don't forget to use common sense.

Tip 2: Scout Ahead

Like any great adventurer, or closeted elf, knows. You have to scout ahead. Going with the flow is great, but if you're overwhelmed by decision paralysis, or the sheer size of the convention, you're not gonna get anything out of it and just be overstimulated the entire time. Map out a few key things you'd like to check out (if you have a pass) or join a few online communities via Discord. Browse Eventbrite, MeetUp, or Partiful for local/invite/free events happening that week and start talking with people. Keep it loose, keep it open, keep it fresh. You'll thank me later.

Having a plan is good, being able to adjust your plan is even better.

Tip 3: Organization Is YOUR Key To Success

Before going to bed, plan your day ahead of time. Again, reference Tips 1 + 2 simultaneously, but sit down for 10/15mins every night and plan out what you want to do the following day and stick to it. Do you got a meeting lined up? Is there a big after party you want to hit up? What about a killer talk on the immplementation of Car SFX in Cyberpunk 2077 system? You obviously need a good seat for that. Are you there for potential job prospects? Who are you going to visit with? What's your pitch? And don't forget to schedule in breaks, meals, and "free time", even if you don't stick to it. Scheduling it and being able to adjust, move, or override it is better than a completely open schedule and just winging it.

Tip 4: Find Your "Thing"

I saw so many cool "things" at GDC this year: a business card that was a stamp, that big parachute thing we all did in elementry school (which I just learned was called a "Playground Parachute"), a dude dressed up as a wizard with an exclimation point over his head, an exclusive "metalhead meetup", people playing Magic: The Gathering, board gamers, you get what I'm putting down.

Find something that you're comfortable talking about that might interests others or help you start a conversation that isn't just talking shop. It'll help you connect with people more easily and make you more memorable, if that's what you're going for. It's also just fun to not have to "play professional" at times. If you're not much of a talker, have a conversation starter "piece". That person with the stamp business cards also had a super dope backpack that everyone stopped to talk about, and then she would show them her cool stamp business cards. 10/10 interaction, 10/10 individual. And don't worry. It's a conference for nerds, geeks, dweebs, gamers, brainiacs, and more. Be true to you. Let your nerd flag fly.

Tip 5: Honesty + Transparency

People can smell BS and sense when someone is attempting to over-schmooze or get something out of them. Avoid transational behavior and just be human.

If you're looking for a job, as most of us are, be open about it but don't dwell on it. Having an optimistic view on a relatively bleak current industry may be the breath of fresh air someone else needs at that time. Be slightly delusional but don't overdue it.

If you're struggling with a technical or career issue, express it, and maybe someone might be able to help. It may be great advice, it may not be great advice, but be open to receiving anything anyone may offer cause you never know when you'll need it or who may need to hear it at a later date.

Be real. Be authentic. (Nike logo ad in another timeline - probably)

Tip 6: Balance

Equal parts business and pleasure. This is a conference. More so, it's a trade conference. Busienss deals are pitched, signed, published, and finalized at these trade shows. HOWEVER, there are still a lot of people who like to have fun. Don't worry, you should too.

But, find a balance. Be professional. Don't over-share. Don't over-drink. Who knows, a random attendee may be a coworker, boss, mentor, or investor one day. Leave every impression a good impression if you can help it.

There will also be far more social events, after-parties, and invite-only events that any one person can handle. Refer to the earlier tips to scout, organize, and plan your days ahead of time to make the most of your time and money. That's something I didn't do as well as I would have liked, and I didn't realize it until it was too late.

Tip 7: Be Kind

Do I really need to explain this one?

Tip 8: Follow Up

There are a lot of new people meeting a lot of other new people EVERY year at GDC. If you get a business card of someone you would love to learn more about, or just keep in touch, follow up. Be authentic. Remind them where you met, what your interaction meant to you, and ask a few questions or schedule a coffee chat whenever they're free.

Additionally, allow them some extra time to decompress. Don't reach out right away on Monday. Continue on your week as if it were any other week and work in outreach into your schedule. Monday the week after GDC is when everyone FLOODS everyone they met, so just let it happen organically when you get around to it. I'm sure everyone will appreciate a little rest post-GDC.

1/2 Tips: Pace Yourself + Improvise

If you need to grab lunch, drink some water, take a nap, or change shoes, do it.

The convention isn't going anywhere. Although I did hear rumors the location may be changing ???????? I'll believe it when I see it.

But take care of yourself first. If you're not fed, well-rested, hydrated, or comfortable, you might not have a great time and neither will those you interact with. It's a mini-vacation, enjoy the people and time you have off from work, friends you haven't seen in a while, and the cool events happening all week!

Oh! And make sure to visit the gardens. That's where the cool kids hang out.

Am I missing anything? What would you add to your post-GDC reflection list?

Until the next episode of Morning Coffee!