GDC is lowering ticket prices and overhauling many aspects of the conference

"The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is undergoing a major overhaul, according to a report by the affiliated publication Game Developer. The "reimagined" conference is getting a name change, as it'll now be called the GDC Festival of Gaming. It's also changing up how passes work and transitioning the shift of its focus to "meet today's broader, interconnected games industry." Let's start with the new simplified pass structure. The newly-announced Festival Pass replaces the pre-existing All-Access pass and costs 45 percent less than its predecessor. Pricing starts at $649 and offers access to all of the event's main content programming. Access to the main conference was previously segmented depending on a number of pass types."

"There are two other main pass types. The Digital Pass offers access to online-only networking and costs $799. The Game Changer Pass is the baddest of the bunch, offering all of the above plus access to a facilitated meetings program. This invite-only program promises meetings with industry icons and access to a series of talks called the Luminaries Speaker Series. That one costs $1,700. Indies, start-ups and academics can apply for discounts that can knock another $200 to $300 off the price tag."

GDC has been rebranded as the GDC Festival of Gaming and is undergoing structural changes to broaden industry engagement. A simplified Festival Pass replaces the previous All-Access pass and is offered at a roughly 45 percent discount, with pricing reported around $645–$649 for main content access. A Digital Pass provides online-only networking for $799, while an invite-only Game Changer Pass includes facilitated meetings and the Luminaries Speaker Series for $1,700. Discounts of $200–$300 are available for indies, start-ups, and academics. The Expo Hall becomes Festival Hall, refocused on demos, social spaces, and developer connections, emphasizing networking across a game's life cycle.

Read at Engadget