Lawyer asks: Why go to videogame conferences?

Tons of videogame conferences are hosted across the world each year. Some are for developers, some for the business side of things, and some are, of course, for the fans. (And many are a little bit for two or all three groups.)

But some may not see the benefits of attending these conferences. After all, travel and accommodation can be costly, and the return-on-investment can be uncertain. However, if done right, conferences can be valuable people in all stages of their career.

We talked to two industry veterans, Kate Edwards and Vlad Micu, about why, in 2025 and beyond, you should still consider going to videogame conferences, and how to get the most out of the experience.

And it begins even before you leave your house. Both Kate and Vlad advised that taking time to prepare beforehand is just as important as what you do once you’re at the venue.

to research who is attending and set up meetings with those who might be helpful connections to have.

“If you think you’re just going to show up and figure it out, that’s a big mistake. You want to come up with a plan of attack. What talks do I absolutely want to go see? Who’s attending?” said Kate, who has over 30 years of experience working in videogames and regularly speaks at conferences.

She added that it’s important to also have goals. For example, if you’re looking for a job, setting yourself up for success might mean connecting with people you know will be attending and set up meetings at the event. “Don’t just leave it to chance; you need to make your own luck to a certain degree,” Kate said.

Vlad said that for larger conferences, like the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, he can make upward of a hundred calls before the event, ranging from business calls to catch-ups with friends he knows will be there.

Where you are in your career and what your goals are will dictate how you plan your conference. But networking remains a cornerstone of the conference experience, especially for early-career attendees.

“Nothing beats seeing people face-to-face, whether it’s somebody new or it’s an old colleague that you want to see and catch up with. The kind of collaborative thinking that happens when we’re in a room together is can’t be matched by virtual platforms,” said Kate.

Vlad, who has done everything from e-sports to videogame writing and business development over his more than 20 years in the field, noted how important it is to not only talk about yourself. And this goes for newcomers, as well as veterans.

“Make sure that you spend a significant amount of time also introducing people to each other. Don’t talk about yourself constantly. Try to also share connections and share insights,” he said. “If more people would do that at these events, it would not only automatically become more inclusive and diverse, but also much more welcoming to those who might feel like they are less social or more introvert.”

He emphasizes the importance of making sure to get contact information of the people you meet and following up after the conference has concluded.

“Everyone when they leave a conference end up in a little bit of a conference dip. And so, while preparation is half of the work, the other half is actually making sure that you connect with people right away at the event,” Vlad said.

Kate recommends to mix networking with panels. Scheduling meetings in advance is smart, she said, but you’d be wise to also give yourself some time to experience the conference.

“I really want that time for the ad hoc encounters with people, which I find really fulfilling. You meet all kinds of amazing random people that way,” Kate said.

If you can afford it, you could also consider staying a few extra days before or after the event, to have time to see more than just the conference hall. There is usually a bunch to experience, she said.

“You should go because of the purpose of the event, but you should also enjoy the place that you’re going to. As a geographer, I’m insatiably curious about everywhere, so I’m going to do that no matter what, but I really encourage people to do that.”

Four quick tips from Kate and Vlad

• LinkedIn connections: If you’re connecting with someone, make sure they scan your QR code and not the other way around. “The simple math equation is: the more important the person is, the more you want to make sure that they scan you, because the odds are that they will forget or they are too busy and they will not do so, which then limits you in being able to then continue the conversation post conference,” Vlad said.
• String together events: If you’re traveling for a conference, see if there are other events in the area you can go to, too, to get more out of the money you’re spending on travel and accommodation.
• Business cards: Be nimble when it comes to sharing your contact information. In some settings, a QR code might be preferred, while in other settings a more traditional, physical business card is more appropriate.
• Scholarships: National delegations and other organizations may have scholarships available to apply for, to ease the financial burden of attending a conference. Make sure you look this up at least a year in advance, though, to not miss any registration deadlines!