Pocket Gamer's ultimate GDC week 2025 party guide
- We've gathered a list of all the hottest happenings in San Francisco around GDC 2025
GDC week 2025 is just weeks away, kicking off on March 17th, 2025 in San Francisco, California through to March 21st.
As with every games industry event, GDC week will have plenty in store to keep veterans and newcomers alike engaged throughout the week, but it will also springboard many networking opportunities across a slew of parties and social gatherings.
Of course, we have our own Pocket Gamer events taking place in San Francisco, too.
- March 17th to 18th: Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco 2025 - an opportunity to learn from the best of the best in the mobile games industry and network with peers.
- March 17th: PGC VIP Drinks with BIGO Ads - with exclusive VIP drinks and networking alongside over 100 industry professionals.
- March 17th: Pocket Gamer Party San Francisco 2025 - where all games industry professionals are welcome for informal networking and drinks.
To help guide you through the week's events, we've put together a handy guide of the parties, pitches, events and networking opportunities throughout the week.
Want to add your event? Reach out to us at aaron.astle@steelmedianetwork.com or craig.chapple@steelmedianetwork.com and we'll get it added!
See you there!
SUNDAY, MARCH 16TH
Spatial XR Mixer at GDC 2025
When: 1:30pm to 4pm
Where: Spark Social SF, 601 Mission Bay Boulevard, North San Francisco, CA 94158
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: Relax, mingle, meet and connect with other XR professionals and enthusiasts at GDC 2025.
Pre-GDC Indie Game Developer Park Meetup
When: 3pm to 7pm
Where: Dolores Park, 19th & Dolores Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
How: Tickets on Meetup
Cost: Free
More Info: Indie developer meetup for reconnecting and making new friends ahead of GDC.
Day of the Devs 2025: San Francisco Edition - In-Person Celebration
When: 3pm to 8pm
Where: The Midway, 900 Marin Street, San Francisco, CA 94124
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: An in-person celebration of indie video games, with music, food, drinks and more.
Courage XL 2025 - Indie Showcase & GDC Pre-Party
When: 7pm to 11:30pm
Where: The Great Northern, 119 Utah Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: Back again and bigger than ever, Courage XL 2025 promises to be a night of creativity, innovation and celebration, with a spotlight on incredible indie games from around the globe.
MONDAY, MARCH 17TH
GDC Run 2025
When: 7:30am to 8:30am
Where: Market St & 5th St, San Francisco, CA, USA San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: A group of game developers and enthusiasts prepare to enjoy some fresh air and camaraderie on a refreshing morning run.
Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco 2025
When: 9am to 6pm
Where: The Hibernia, 1 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
How: Tickets on the PGC website
Cost: From $50
More Info: The leading mobile games industry conference returns to San Francisco! Over 750 attendees from every aspect of the mobile games industry will gather for two days to network, discover, pitch and learn from 70+ of the world’s leading authorities. The event includes fringe events such as the Very Big Indie Pitch, Investor Connector, Publisher SpeedMatch, Journalist Bar, and more!
Ryan Laley Games Meet and Greet at GDC
When: 10am to 12pm
Where: Yerba Buena Gardens, 750 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: Meet Ryan Laley, the man behind your favourite Unreal Engine tutorials, and mingle with fellow game developers.
PGC VIP Drinks with BIGO Ads
When: 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Where: Penthouse of The Hibernia, 1 Jones St
How: Apply on website
Cost: Free
More Info: Unwind with exclusive VIP drinks and network with over 100 industry professionals in a laidback, chill atmosphere.
Australian Showcase @ GDC 2025
When: 6pm
Where: BuzzWorks, 365 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: From $23.18
More Info: A showcase and mixer with over a dozen curated games from Australian studios representing the incredible range of talent and creativity down under. Aimed at developers, publishers, investors and platform holders to connect or reconnect with Australian studios.
Pocket Gamer Party San Francisco 2025
When: 8:30pm to 11:30pm
Where: Temple Nightclub, 540 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: Another spectacular Pocket Gamer party for all games industry professionals to meet for informal networking and drinks at Temple - a chic, multi-room club with varied music and stylish decor.
TUESDAY, MARCH 18TH
GDC Run 2025
When: 7:30am to 8:30am
Where: Market St & 5th St, San Francisco, CA, USA San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: A group of game developers and enthusiasts prepare to enjoy some fresh air and camaraderie on a refreshing morning run.
Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco 2025
When: 9am to 6pm
Where: The Hibernia, 1 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
How: Tickets on the PGC website
Cost: From $50
More Info: The leading mobile games industry conference returns to San Francisco! Over 750 attendees from every aspect of the mobile games industry will gather for two days to network, discover, pitch and learn from 70+ of the world’s leading authorities. The event includes fringe events such as the Very Big Indie Pitch, Investor Connector, Publisher SpeedMatch, Journalist Bar, and more!
Indie Game Academy Meetup
When: 5pm to 7pm
Where: Yerba Buena Gardens, 750 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: An opportunity for the indie community to network and offer support over wands, bubbles, business cards and wizard hats.
Indie BYOG Showcase @ GDC 2025 Presented by Onerat Games & Sub-Zero Sound
When: 6pm
Where: BuzzWorks, 365 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: Demo your project to a crowd of like-minded and enthusiastic independent game developers in a relaxed environment.
GDC 2025 Indie Arcade Party with Reddit, Tipalti & Unity
When: 7pm to 11:59pm
Where: 375 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: This event is open to aspiring and experienced industry professionals alike, offering networking opportunities and a place to learn about new games and solutions coming to the market.
Games [4Diversity] Showcase
When: 8pm to 11:30pm
Where: 111 6th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: €10.99
More Info: This very first Games [4Diversity] Showcase will highlight games that contribute to improved representation and inclusion of socio-cultural minorities in the gaming industry.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19TH
GDC Run 2025
When: 7:30am to 8:30am
Where: Market St & 5th St, San Francisco, CA, USA San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: A group of game developers and enthusiasts prepare to enjoy some fresh air and camaraderie on a refreshing morning run.
Gameplay Summit 2025 (Networking & Game Demos)
When: 12pm to 6pm
Where: Lounge 847 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: $17.85 pre-sale, $33.85 general admission
More Info: A chance to showcase game demos and projects to games industry professionals, media and the public, with feedback and networking included.
Game Changers: Women Driving the Industry Forward
When: 3pm to 7pm
Where: Chandran Gallery, 459 Geary St.
How: RSVP on Greenvelope
Cost: Free
More Info: Celebrate Women's Month during GDC week at an inspiring event where powerhouse women - both current Supercellians and alumni - take the stage to share their journeys, insights and perspectives on leadership in gaming. This isn't just a panel; it’s an opportunity to connect, spark meaningful conversations and expand your network during one of the biggest weeks in the industry.
GDC Level Up Mixer + After Party
When: 5pm to 1am
Where: 7 Social SF, 65 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94104
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: $33.85
More Info: Where all game developers network, showcase their game demos, and party all in one night.
GDC Halftime Happy Hour
When: 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: Che Fico Pizzeria @ Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94158
How: RSVP on Luma
Cost: Free
More Info: Take a break from the hustle and bustle for a happy hour at Che Fico Pizzeria at the Chase Center - the home of the Golden State Warriors. Join Aarki, Almedia and MobileAction for an evening of pizza, drinks and connecting with fellow game industry folks.
Video Games in Concert with Eímear Noone
When: 7:30pm to 10pm
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
How: Tickets on San Francisco Symphony
Cost: $39.50
More Info: Award-winning video game music composer Eímear Noone joins the San Francisco Symphony to conduct a night of music from World of Warcraft, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate, Fortnite, Overwatch, The Witcher, The Legend of Zelda and more.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20TH
GDC Run 2025
When: 7:30am to 8:30am
Where: Market St & 5th St, San Francisco, CA, USA San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: A group of game developers and enthusiasts prepare to enjoy some fresh air and camaraderie on a refreshing morning run.
Thinky Puzzle Devs Meetup at GDC
When: 10am to 12pm
Where: 750 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: A casual morning with no fee and no agenda, for like-minded developers to hang out and talk about their favourite puzzle games.
GDC Power Up Mixer
When: 5:30pm to 9:30
Where: Temple Nightclub, 540 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: $23.18
More Info: Network with other games industry professionals, see a wide variety of demos and enjoy the GDC after-party.
GDC 2025 Industry After Party
When: 9pm to 2am
Where: Temple Nightclub, 540 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: $39.19
More Info: Wrap up GDC 2025 and celebrate with a DJ’s curated music playlist to keep you moving all night long! This event takes place straight after the Power Up Mixer and the same venue.
FRIDAY, MARCH 21ST
GDC Run 2025
When: 7:30am to 8:30am
Where: Market St & 5th St, San Francisco, CA, USA San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: A group of game developers and enthusiasts prepare to enjoy some fresh air and camaraderie on a refreshing morning run.
SF MOMA Friday Unwind: Casual Meetup with AvantBeetle
When: 2pm to 5pm
Where: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
How: Tickets on Eventbrite
Cost: Free
More Info: Unwind from the busy week with some great modern art, great company, and conversations about art and games!
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