Niara Chambers GDC 2018

Post date: Apr 06, 2018 2:54:40 AM

My GDC trip was amazing for a first timer. I got an Expo Plus pass and was actually surprised when I didn’t feel limited by it. The industry was way faster paced than I expected, and it was something I was hyped about. I realized that the industry is way more than just triple A companies but more of a mix of double and indie businesses. It made me want to diversify me portfolio and dive into stylized art more. I learned that realistic is great for most big companies but stylized is still need for the smaller ones.

During GDC I attended Roundtables for the first time. At first when people come to GDC they only think about the Expo Floor. However Roundtables are really the hidden treasure of GDC. These talks are the best places to meet new people in the industry. They focus on problems in the industry and how we can fix them. People at these events are usually already interested in the talk’s topic, and are very open to talking after the event. I met most of my connections through these talks. Most of them even talk about job and internship opportunities for people who care about the same values. Next year I will be going to a lot of Roundtables maybe even meeting old friends from the year before.

The second thing that caught my attention is the need for software engineers and VFX. The industry seems to be trying out new ideas and programs. However this means that art is being put on the back burner for new tech. Programmers are being hunted down by every company I saw. It really made me realize how technology is changing. And how with each new upgrade more programmers are needed. VFX is one of the biggest professions on the market along with programmers. Since it’s such a precise skill many companies are really starting to realize its potential. One example being the Insomniac booth, during they’re portfolio reviews before they even started the called out for VFX artists. Most companies are now starting to focus on VFX since it’s such a difficult process. Finding this out made me want to look into the process. I might actually try to do some tutorials when I have the time. In the end going to GDC was a good decision and I have no regrets. I just want be even better prepared for next year.