Game developers from around the world are reconsidering their trips to San Francisco for the Game Developers Conference, citing fears about U.S. border screening and immigration enforcement.
GDC is the industry’s largest professional gathering, drawing tens of thousands of attendees each year for networking, deal-making, and the Game Developers Choice Awards. International attendance has historically been a major part of the conference’s draw, with studios and indie developers traveling from dozens of countries.
But recent reports indicate some international developers are planning to skip the event entirely. The stated concern is straightforward: unpredictable risks when entering the U.S., even with proper documentation.
Developers have expressed worries about being stopped at the border, subjected to extended questioning, or denied entry altogether. Some fear detention despite having valid visas or business travel authorizations. The perception is that the risk has become too high to justify the trip, regardless of how well-prepared travelers believe they are.
The decision reflects broader anxieties about U.S. border enforcement. While business travelers typically enter on visitor or business visas for short conference trips, the discretion border officials have in approving or denying entry creates uncertainty. That uncertainty is apparently enough to keep some developers home.
Industry sources suggest international registrations for U.S. events are down across the board, though exact numbers haven’t been publicly released. GDC organizers haven’t yet commented on whether they’ve noticed changes in international attendance patterns for this year’s event.
The shift could have real consequences for the conference. Networking and in-person dealmaking are major reasons people attend GDC. If international participation drops, it affects publisher pitches, recruitment, partnership deals, and the diversity of perspectives at panels and sessions.
Virtual attendance options have become standard since 2020, making it easier for developers to participate remotely. That infrastructure means skipping the trip doesn’t necessarily mean skipping the conference entirely, but remote participation lacks the spontaneous networking and relationship-building that happens on the show floor.
When staying home becomes the safer bet
Other gaming events could face similar issues. Fighting game tournament EVO, also held in the U.S., depends heavily on international competitors. If travel concerns spread across the calendar, it could push more events toward hybrid formats or encourage organizers to consider locations outside the U.S.
Alternative conferences like Gamescom in Germany and Tokyo Game Show in Japan already serve as major international hubs. If U.S. entry becomes perceived as too risky or unpredictable, those events could see increased attendance from developers who might have previously made the trip to San Francisco.
