The Top 4 Jaw-Dropping Innovations from the 2025 Game Developers Conference

As tens of thousands of game developers converged on San Francisco to talk about what’s next in the world of high tech entertainment, they did more than just hold meetings and attend sessions. Here are some of our favorite moments from week. You can watch them in the video player above!

After-hours gaming events: Prior to the official commencement of the conference, game developers initiated the week with off-site gatherings that featured demonstrations of games not seen before and projects still under development. This provided an opportunity for those looking for jobs to connect with emerging studios, as well as for publishers to discover promising new titles.

Interacting in the physical realm: In recent years, gaming and game development have increasingly turned into more isolated and distant activities. However, at GDC 2025, the emphasis was on bringing people back together through outdoor and nighttime gatherings centered around communal play—ranging from puzzle-solving sessions and board games to cooperative video games meant for group enjoyment outside.

Games lost during the 1980s: Some of the gems like games featuring the California Raisins and the New Kids on the Block nearly vanished from history when publishers opted against releasing them. During GDC 2025, the Video Game History Foundation showcased these titles along with their original packaging for all to see.

Unusual game controllers: Alternate control games, also referred to as "Alt Ctrl," are a yearly highlight at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), frequently becoming the liveliest section of the exhibition floor. Unlike conventional controllers held in hand, developers create these games using unconventional elements like shower faucets or footwear for interaction.