By Jonas Maaløe Interactive Denmark GDC/GC Preparation Seminar 2017

1. “GOING ALL INdie AT GDC”
– Genuine tips on dull slides –

2. ABOUT ME
Designer & Producer at Glitchnap
Attended GDC since 2013
Experience as a newbie, exhibitor and speaker
• Lucked into GDC 2013
• Exhibited @ Ouya booth - Alt.Ctrl.GDC - Indie Megabooth
• Speaker at Experimental Gameplay WS
Main takeaway: GDC is about networking, pitching and “teambuilding”

3. #0
GDC is about networking, not closing deals.
I have a very specific focus at GDC (so your mileage may vary)
- Social / networking
- Presenting / exhibiting
- I’m there as co-founder of tiny studio with many projects

4. #1
It's the best, most money you can spend.
Even on the cheap, attending GDC is about 12k dkk. But to me it’s always worth it.
Why we prioritise GDC
• Form network with indies
• Put the industry in context
• Business meetings (though not all they’re made up to be)
• Showing off our games.

5. #2
You’ll have 99 problems, but a
personal pitch shouldn’t be one.
You’ll be introducing yourself constantly, so have a casual, personal pitch memorised:
"I'm Jonas, I'm a designer and producer at a small Copenhagen-based studio where we make silly mobile games that you want to play with your friends in real life.”

6. #3
There are three types of meetings:
“Walk & Talk”
“Hotel Room”
“Conference Room”
• Prepare for these types of meetings individually
• I’ve met with publishers, collaborators, platform holders and investors.
• Pitched both Glitchnap and specific projects.

7. #4
Bring a presentation (but keep it in your bag).
• Have stuff memorised and just get a conversation going.
• Pull up visual presentation with demos, videos.
• Skip the bullet points and just show content

8. THE SOCIAL SIDE
• The social side of GDC is hugely important
• You should be smart about this and consider it your “job” there.
• If I didn’t have a pass, I would still go to SFO

9. #5
Yerba Buena Park is the teenage mall for indies.
• The park is the hub of Indie GDC
• Go there, spot someone you know and join a circle
• Best at lunch or at 17:00 after talks, but before dinner

10. #6
You can skip the alcohol, but never skip the party.
• Get into as many off-conference events as you can.
• Publishers will have mixers (get invited)
• Spot which bars indies designate as the unofficial hangout and go there.

11. #7
Play games that you can only play here.
Take advantage of the physical opportunity to experience new games
• Alt Ctrl GDC
• IGF Exhibit
• Indie Megabooth
(But skip most of the biz expo)

12. #8
Talks will be on the vault, but the presenter won’t.
Go up after an interesting talk and ask the presenter questions
Some good talks
• Microtalks (if they're still there)
• Indie Soapbox
• Tech Toolbox
• Experimental Gameplay Workshop

13. OTHER STUFF

14. #9
Get data on your phone.
Get data at the Sprint or T-Mobile stores close to Moscone.

15. #10
Use jetlag to your advantage.
Getting up early means 1-2 hours for yourself.

16. #11
Don’t stress about access.
• GDC is about networking so just being there can be enough
• Passes are crazy expensive, but there are ways to get in for free (being speaker, selected for exhibits etc.).
• Most value happens off-site and socially
• If you’re strung for cash get the cheapest access pass you can buy and it’ll still be worth your while.

17. QUESTIONS?
@jmaaloe
@glitchnap
jonas@glitchnap.com