Tuning into the Future: A Sound Designer’s Experience at GDC 2023

What's it like to attend the Game Developers Conference for the first time as a sound designer? Wayne M Messam II shares his experiences from GDC 2023 below:

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Written by Wayne M Messam II

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As a Sci-Fi sound designer with technical sound design experience, attending the Game Developers Conference of 2023 for the first time was an unforgettable experience. Not only was it an opportunity to network with some of the industry’s most talented professionals, but it was also a chance to learn about the latest advancements and emerging trends in the gaming world. In this review, I’ll be sharing my personal experience at GDC 2023, so that those who weren’t able to attend can get a glimpse of what it was like, and for those who are planning on attending next year can have a better idea of what to expect. It’s important to note that I was able to attend thanks to the organization Black in Gaming and their wonderful representatives, Laura Teclemariam and Rebecca Hernandez. I’m incredibly grateful for that opportunity to highlight high achieving black professionals in the video game development space and appreciate their work in making it happen.

Pre-Event Expectations

In the weeks leading up to GDC 2023, my excitement was palpable. As a sound designer, I was eager to make real and authentic connections with industry peers, learn about the latest game audio trends and techniques, and gain insight on how to navigate funding my first in-house game for my indie studio Neptune’s Cloud. I spent hours preparing for the event, reviewing the schedule of all the talks I wanted to see on the GDC app, noting key speakers of interest such as Dani Lalonders, the maker of Validate, and Damian Kastbauer, a literal Wwise genius from Audiokinetic. I also scheduled the after-parties and events in San Francisco based on the community’s Google Sheets, as well as the best foodie spots that I absolutely had to visit. And with this being my last week working for Formosa Interactive, I couldn’t help but scope out if anyone knew anyone who was looking to hire a talented sound designer like myself. To make things even more exciting, my boss was going to be there, and I was excited to finally meet him in person.
 

General Experience & Atmosphere

Attending GDC for the first time was a bit overwhelming, but in the best way possible. From the moment I arrived at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, I was struck by the sheer size of the event. The organization was impeccable, and each discipline of game development had its own dedicated space. As a sound designer, I was especially interested in the audio talks hosted by big-name companies like Audiokinetic and Unreal Engine. Although I only had an expo pass, I was still able to take in some incredible talks that left me feeling inspired and excited to try out some new tools in my own work.

The atmosphere of GDC was a delightful mix of business casual and video game fandom. I felt like I was in the midst of a video game nerd’s fever dream, surrounded by passionate professionals who shared my love for the industry. The exhibit halls were particularly impressive, with exhibits from companies like Epic Games and Discord showcasing their latest technological advancements. I was especially impressed by the chill areas for audio professionals, writers/storytellers, and virtual/in-person business meeting rooms.

Despite the enormity of the event, I never felt like I didn’t belong. People were always friendly and welcoming, and I was able to make some incredible connections with people who really want to change the standard of this industry with their ideas. Whether it was striking up a conversation with someone at an after-party or attending one of the many networking events, I always felt like I was in good company. I also want to note that this industry has come off incredibly progressive and that is something pretty unique to video game development. It truly was exciting to see people in all walks of life coming together to produce quality content and tell their stories in what is in my opinion, the best way possible. 

I also want to note that this industry has come off incredibly progressive and that is something pretty unique to video game development. It truly was exciting to see people in all walks of life coming together to produce quality content and tell their stories in what is in my opinion, the best way possible

I would encourage anyone looking to attend next year that may not have the means to look into volunteering either at the event itself, or with an organization associated with the event. The experience is definitely worth the time and money invested, but there are also recorded lectures if an alternative is needed. Discord communities are what make the event feel less alone as well since you can just send a message and someone is already willing to meet up with you.

For audio people specifically, we have GDC traditions of meeting by the carousel for lunch. It was amazing being with Darius Gourdine during this year’s talks around the carousel. The passion and story of your peers can definitely reinforce how right this career feels for you.

Overall, my experience at GDC was nothing short of incredible. I came away from the event feeling inspired, informed, and excited to continue pursuing my career in the game audio industry.

Keynote Speakers & Topics

Attending the GDC 2023 talks and panels was a highlight of the event for me. The talk on “Crowd Healing: Founding a Company and Community Around Kindness” was incredibly inspiring, as it showed how kindness can be an integral part of building a successful company and community. The speaker, Dr. Kelli Dunlap, shared her experience of creating a company that uses games to help people with mental health challenges, and how she focused on fostering a supportive and inclusive community around it.

Another talk that stood out was “The Language of Leveling Up: Crafting Your Unapologetic Career Stories.” The speaker, Brittni Chenelle, emphasized the importance of owning your story and using it to shape your career trajectory. She gave practical advice on how to communicate your value to potential employers, negotiate salaries and benefits, and build your personal brand.

“The Imposter’s Guide to the Industry” was another insightful talk that explored the common feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome that many people experience in their careers. The speaker, Alex Manzi, shared his personal experience of feeling like an imposter in the industry and provided strategies for overcoming those feelings and thriving in your career.

However, the talk that I enjoyed the most was “Add Senior to that Title: Real Career Talk.” The speaker, Sabina Hemmi, provided a clear understanding of the different levels within the video game industry and what it takes to advance from one level to the next. The best understanding being that Junior/Entry level is a starting level for people who are still learning and have rough edges in regards to their understanding of their role within the studio and how they contribute to the team. Base level is simply where you do your job and you do it well.

I found this information to be invaluable, as it helped me understand my own career trajectory, my professional worth, and how to navigate my next promotion or raise should the time or opportunity comes

Senior is where you improve the work of those around you and demonstrate mentorship potential to the whole team. Finally a Lead/Principle of your role typically improves not just the team, but the entire project and studio. I found this information to be invaluable, as it helped me understand my own career trajectory, my professional worth, and how to navigate my next promotion or raise should the time or opportunity comes.

One of my other goals for attending the GDC was to get connected to industry professionals who could help with funding for my first in-house game for Neptune’s Cloud. I achieved this goal by attending the “Micro-Postmortems: ‘Casual Birder’, ‘Validate’, and ‘Heck Deck'” panel, where I met Dani Lalonders, the creator of Validate. She shared her experience in a quirky yet informative way, and gave me valuable advice and contacts from various groups such as Black Voices in Gaming and Black in Gaming who specialize in funding underrepresented studio’s projects.

Lastly, the 29th Annual IASIG (Interactive Audio Special Interest Group) Town Hall was a great experience for me as an audio professional. I was able to connect with other game audio experts and learn about the latest innovations in game audio technology from big name companies such as Audiokinetic, FMOD, and Dolby. Chase Bethea, the newly chaired president, did an excellent job moderating the town hall and keeping the discussion engaging and informative while sparking inspiration for the crowd to express many ways our technology as sound designers and technical sound designers can be more efficient.

Overall, the GDC talks and panels were informative, engaging, and inspiring. The speakers were all experts in their fields and provided valuable insights and advice that I will carry with me throughout my career.
 

Networking Opportunities & After-Hours Parties

Attending after-hours events and parties at GDC was an excellent way to network with fellow game developers and enthusiasts. One event that stood out was the Global Game Jam Mixer. It was a great opportunity to meet new people and learn about their projects. At the lunch, I met some students from The University of Texas at Austin who were working on an indie title called Re: Fresh. They were a fun and enthusiastic group, and you exchanged contact information with them so that you could potentially collaborate on a game jam in the future.

Another event that I enjoyed was the G.A.N.G. Award Ceremony. It was a night to celebrate the achievements of game audio professionals and to connect with others in the industry. I met several composers and sound designers who were just as excited as I was to see the awards passed out. 

The LGBTQIA+ Community Night was a highlight of my GDC networking experience. The event was held at the arcade bar “The Detour Bar,” and it was a great opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds who shared a love of video games. I had so much fun that the event was extended for multiple nights during that week of GDC. I made great connections and potential long-term friendships at the event and can’t wait to attend next year.

Networking at GDC events like these was a fantastic way to make connections and build relationships with other game developers where I once had very few. I was able to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate with others in the industry making the experience invaluable.

Exhibitors and New Technology Showcased

Walking through the exhibits at GDC 2023 was like taking a stroll through a technology lover’s paradise. The GDC Play exhibit was filled with indie developers showing off their latest creations. It was exciting to see the passion that these developers had for their work and the unique ideas that they brought to the table. You got to try out some of the games and offer feedback to the developers, which felt like you were making a real impact in the industry.

The alt.ctrl.GDC exhibit was a unique experience that you couldn’t find anywhere else. It showcased games that were controlled by unconventional methods, such as a custom-built arcade machine or a VR game controlled by a banana! It was amazing to see the creativity and ingenuity that went into making these games, and it was fun to try them out and see how they worked.

The Business Center exhibit was the place to be if you were interested in the business side of the video game industry. You got to meet with representatives from various companies and learn about their products and services. It was a great opportunity to make new connections and learn about the latest trends in the industry.

It was inspiring to see the new technologies that were being developed and to think about how they could shape the future of gaming

Finally, the IGF Pavilion was the perfect place to see the most innovative games and technologies of the year. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as you walked around and saw the incredible projects on display. From virtual reality to augmented reality to the latest in mobile gaming, there was something for everyone. It was inspiring to see the new technologies that were being developed and to think about how they could shape the future of gaming.

Suggestions for Improvement

Based on my experiences at GDC 2023, there are definitely a few things that I would do differently to have an even better experience next year. Firstly, I would opt for the audio pass instead of the expo pass. While the expo pass was great for exploring the exhibits, I found myself missing out on some of the more technical talks and sessions that required the audio pass. The audio pass would give me access to a wider range of sessions and talks, and I would be able to learn more about the latest advancements in game audio technology.

I found that volunteering at the events in general allows me to connect with people who have similar interests and goals, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone attending GDC for the first time

Additionally, I would look for more volunteering options to recommend to my various discord communities. Volunteering at Black in Gaming not only gave me a chance to attend the event, but it also allowed me to network with other volunteers, attendees, and industry professionals. I found that volunteering at the events in general allows me to connect with people who have similar interests and goals, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone attending GDC for the first time.

Finally, for first-time attendees of GDC, I would recommend doing as much research as possible beforehand. This includes creating a schedule of the talks and sessions that you want to attend BEFOREHAND, researching the speakers and exhibitors, and also the unofficial networking events with other attendees before even flying out. It’s also important to take breaks and pace yourself during the event, as there is a lot to see and do, along with a lot of walking.
 

Conclusion

Overall, GDC 2023 was a truly unforgettable event that has inspired me to continue pursuing my passion for video game development. From the informative and inspiring keynote speakers to the engaging after-hours events and parties, and the exciting new technology showcased in the exhibits, the event was a culmination of all things video games. The networking opportunities were plentiful, and I had the opportunity to meet and connect with a diverse group of individuals. I would love to meet anyone who took anything out of this review to contact me anytime, especially if you would like to meet me there at GDC in 2024.

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