GDC 2024: Insights from BUas lecturers Steve, Neville and David

What were some insights you gained from attending GDC? 

Steve: ‘Leading up to the event, there was a lot of concern about job losses and downsizing in game development companies, which initially set a pessimistic tone. However, the experience turned out to be unexpectedly positive.’  

Neville: ‘Many companies expressed a strong interest in recruiting interns rather than new employees, particularly amidst layoffs in larger companies.’  

Steve: ‘It was evident that GDC attendees held BUas in high regard, recognising our international reputation.  

Neville: ‘When exploring potential collaborations with other universities, we had the opportunity to highlight the unique offerings of BUas, such as our exceptional student work and project-based learning approach.’ 

Steve: ‘We made valuable connections with institutions like the Pasadena College of Art & Design. Discussions with Electronic Arts (EA) indicated potential internship opportunities for our students in new offices in Europe.’ 

Neville: ‘Some attendees approached us, assuming we were from a company. They were surprised to discover that we were an educational institution, especially impressed by the student work showcased in our reel. This was noteworthy, considering our status as a government-funded educational institute. Additionally, there was interest from individuals regarding our master's programme.’ 

Can you share any exciting trends or emerging technologies in the gaming industry that were discussed during the conference?  

David: 'As expected, Unreal Engine showcased their latest features in their annual talk, the State of Unreal. Additionally, AI emerged as a dominant topic, with companies actively seeking applications beyond traditional roles, such as the use of AI in narrative design.'  

Neville: ‘Despite concerns about AI displacing jobs, companies were primarily interested in talent acquisition for traditional roles like Unreal Engine game developers. AI was seen as a tool rather than a threat, with ongoing exploration into its diverse applications.’ 

What can you share about your networking experience with industry professionals at GDC? 

Neville: ‘We engaged with various companies, including Adobe and Pixar, establishing connections that may lead to future collaborations or opportunities for our students.’ 

Steve: ‘Interactions with smaller companies like such as Playdead and Rabcat resulted in promising leads for internships and partnerships. Additionally, discussions with the Royal Dutch Navy highlighted potential applications of serious gaming technology.’ 

David: ‘Contacts with companies like Jetbrains emphasised the importance of leveraging available, sometimes free to use, tools and resources for student development.'  

How do you plan to integrate the experiences acquired at the conference into our games programme? 

David: ‘While access to conference talks was limited, we gained valuable insights into how other universities approach game development education. We aim to maintain our position as leaders in this field.’  

Neville: ‘Our faculty's industry experience sets us apart, and we plan to further enhance our teaching methods based on the industry trends and best practices. Additionally, continuing collaborations with companies such as SideFX present exciting opportunities for our students to engage with cutting-edge technologies and remain up to date of emerging trends. Our annual Everything Procedural Conference and Houdini masterclasses exemplify this commitment.’ 

Steve: ‘GDC reaffirmed our belief in BUas as a world-class institution for game development education. We will continue to emphasise our unique strengths, such as our exceptional student work, and explore avenues for further collaboration and growth within the industry.’