Events for Gamers’ GDC 2018 Party List (Updated)

One of the game industry’s key events, Game Developer Conference 2018, (GDC) is coming up quickly. Among the many important to-do items attendees have to plan for is “what events after hours should I go to for fun or networking or learning?” That’s what this list is all about, a curation of the many (and growing) publicly (not invite-only) posted events attendees have to pick from, between the window of Sunday, March 18th to Friday, March 23rd.

The gravitational pull of GDC also brings in a constellation of day-long summits offsite for different games-related topics, which you can keep track of on the Events for Gamers main calendar on the front page.

Please keep in mind that this list will be periodically updated with new or changing events until GDC kicks off. If you’re a GDC event planner who would like their event on (or off) this list, send us a note through this form.

Sunday, March 18th:

Event: Blockchain Game Meet-Up
Time: 4:00PM-7:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Coin-Op San Francisco, 508 4th St, San Francisco, California 94107
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/605397596518800/
Description: “For those who are interested in meeting people in the community working on blockchain based games, we’d love to hear about what you are working on, your experiences and share best practices in this new and exciting space. Everyone’s welcome to join!”

Event: 7th Annual Sunday GDC Kickoff Dinner
Time: 5:00PM-10:00PM
Cost: $25-$40
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Canton Seafood & Dim Sum Restaurant, 665 Folsom Street, San Francisco , CA 94017
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-annual-sunday-gdc-kickoff-dinner-tickets-43510780917
Description: Now in it’s seventh year, the GDC kickoff dinner brings a very healthy crowd of early arrivals from all around the world, to enjoy a Chinese dinner and drinks over a wide range of attendees looking to network

Event: Dutch Courage meets Belgian Beers (pre GDC mixer)
Time: 8:00PM-?
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Donation only
Location: The Great Northern, 119 Utah Street, San Francisco, California
Link: https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/dutch-courage-meets-belgian-beers-pre-gdc-mixer-tickets-39185477819
Description: Fifteen showcasers from Belgium and the Netherlands bring their games as one of the first indie game-focused events at GDC 2018

Monday, March 19th:

Event: GDC Mobile Masters Meet Up
Time: 5:00PM-8:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Waitlist
Location: Topsy’s Bar 260 Kearny Street San Francisco, CA 94104
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gdc-mobile-masters-meet-up-tickets-43356218617
Description: Drinks, music, and a whole lot of frree-to-play mobile gaming

Event: MobileMonday – GDC CryptoCurrency Happy Hour
Time: 5:30PM-7:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Natoma Cabana, 90 Natoma St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mobilemonday-gdc-cryptocurrency-happy-hour-tickets-43744831970
Description: Cryptocurrency (and presumably, gaming) is topically front and center, for a happy hour a few blocks from the Moscone Convention Center

Event: CGX Bash at GDC
Time: 6:30PM-8:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: No
Location: Jillian’s, 175 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cgx-bash-at-gdc-tickets-42645322307
Description: “After our Mentor Lounge at GDC, we head into a celebration of Canadian games! An exciting networking event with drinks, food, and a chance to play some great Canadian-made games.”

Event: The MIX San Francisco 2018
Time: 7:30PM-11:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: 981 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA
Link: http://www.mediaindieexchange.com/event/gdcweek2018/
Description: Game industry or press are invited to attend this sizable indie game showcase, with the added benefits of food, drink and networking for attendees

Event: Pocket Gamer Party @ GDC 2018 with Pixonic
Time: 8:00PM-11:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: The Grand 520 4th St San Francisco, California CA 94107
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pocket-gamer-party-gdc-2018-with-pixonic-tickets-42910337976
Description: “Thanks to our hard-working chums at Pixonic, you can again expect the usual mix of grade-A networking activity, plenty of drink, food, and fun as we celebrate the night away.”

Tuesday, March 20th:

Event: European Game Showcase at GDC 2018
Time: ?
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: swissnex San Francisco, , Pier 17, The Embarcadero #800, San Francisco, CA 94111
Link: https://soops.net/european-game-showcase-at-gdc-2018/
Description: The European game development showcase will take place during GDc 2018, where around thirty European developers will be able to show their latest creations to press, publishers and strategic partners in a business casual environment

Event: 18th Annual Women in Gaming Rally
Time: 12:00PM-9:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Waitlist 
Location: Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/18th-annual-women-in-gaming-rally-tickets-40950822011
Description: Xbox is expanding their long-running annual series of “women in games” luncheon events at GDC, for women in games to an all-day event. Expect to engage in interactive sessions, workshops and discussions featuring women in the games industry, followed by a keynote and an evening reception in partnership with the Gaming & Disability community event.

Event: Thrive to Excel – Mobile Gaming Marketing Summit 2018
Time: 1:30PM-5:30PM
Cost: $0-$50
Tickets available: Yes
Location: The Park Central San Francisco Franciscan Ballroom, 3rd floor 50 3rd Street San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thrive-to-excel-mobile-gaming-marketing-summit-2018-tickets-43411379605
Description: “During the GDC Expo, NewCode will launch its Marketing Solution Summit 2018 to integrate top resources and talents in North America with many years of experience on global marketing and deliver it to selected domestic game companies that are facing global markets.”

Event: Serious Games Networking Reception @ GDC 2018
Time: 3:00PM-6:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Google Developers Launchpad Space, 345 Spear Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/serious-games-networking-reception-gdc-2018-tickets-43588399075
Description: “Please join us for the second annual IGDA® Serious Games Networking + Awards Reception at GDC! Come network with other practitioners in the field of serious games and celebrate the achievements of peers who have who have made great contributions to the field of serious games through their abilities, talents, and efforts!”

Event: Glu Mobile GDC Bash!
Time: 4:30PM-7:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Waitlist 
Location: Glu HQ, 875 Howard St. Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/glu-mobile-gdc-bash-tickets-44130812448
Description: Meet the Glu team in their new headquarters and check out their latest projects, over a mix of appetizers, drinks, music, games, a photo booth, and raffles. Note: this page is only for waitlist sign-ups.

Event: Fireside Chat with Nick van Vugt of Uken & David Spinks of CMX
Time: 5:00PM-7:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: A few left
Location: Galvanize San Francisco, 44 Tehama Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fireside-chat-with-nick-van-vugt-of-uken-david-spinks-of-cmx-tickets-42534537948
Description: Fireside chat with game community builders discussing best practices and strategies, plus the organizers are serving up pizza to keep attendees fueled up

Event: Gaming and Disability Community Reception 2018
Time: 5:00PM-9:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Waitlist
Location: Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St .,San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gaming-and-disability-community-reception-2018-tickets-41261833254
Description: “Xbox is proud to host the 1st annual Gaming and Disability Reception during the 2018 Game Developer’s Conference. Join us to connect & network with other game creators, developers, writers, artists, and more who are striving to make gaming a more accessible medium.”

Event: Made In MA at GDC 2018 Party
Time: 5:30PM-8:30PM
Cost: $15
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Johnny Foley’s Irish House, 243 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/made-in-ma-at-gdc-2018-party-tickets-42495282534
Description: Meet some of the best and the brightest game industry folks from Massachusetts at a cozy mixer at one of San Francisco’s better-known Irish bars

Event: Virtuos GDC 2018 Reception Party
Time: 6:00PM-9:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: The View Lounge @ San Francisco Marriott Marquis 780 Mission St 39th Floor San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtuos-gdc-2018-reception-party-tickets-43373696895
Description: From the heights of the View Lounge, at this cocktail reception attendees will network about virtual reality and more over a wide range of refreshments.

Event: 2018 IGDA @ GDC Networking Event
Time: 6:00PM-10:00PM
Cost: Free/donation
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Children’s Creativity Museum 221 4th Street San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-igda-gdc-networking-event-tickets-43152980727
Description: RSVP at the  Eventbrite link to attend one of GDC’s longest event traditions: the IGDA Networking Event, highlighted by stop-motion animation demo lab, karaoke Fun photos, photobooth fun, game demos from by the IGDA Foundation’s 2018 GDC Scholars and Women in Games Ambassadors

Event: Game Education Meet Up
Time: 6:00PM-9:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Tempest, 431 Natoma St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/tickets-game-education-meet-up-43895693200
Description: “Are you at GDC and representing an educational institution? Are you interested in including entrepreneurship in your game development program? Or do you simply need some inspiration? Join us, buy a drink and mingle with others at a casual meet-up of game educators!”

Event: WIGI & Aarki GDC 2018 Networking Party
Time: 6:00PM-9:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: SPUR San Franciso, 654 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wigi-aarki-gdc-2018-networking-party-tickets-43258606657
Description: Women in Games International and Aarki are throwing this GDC networking bash, which is likely to be packed and includes limited food and drinks

Event: Polycount Meetup GDC 2018
Time: 6:00PM-10:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Harlot, 46 Minna St, San Francisco, California 94105
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/392374264519409/
Description: Bring then fee flyer by phone or in print, to attend and partake in cool artwork, free swag, cocktails and networking conversations with some of the industry’s most talented artists.

Event: GDC Prototype & Playtest Night
Time: 7:00PM-10:00PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Parc 55 Hotel, Market Street Room
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1432142416913941/
Description: Playtest or demo your game for a few hundred of your closest friends

Event: 14th International Mobile Gaming Awards Global Ceremony – General Admission
Time: 7:00PM-11:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/14th-international-mobile-gaming-awards-global-ceremony-general-admission-tickets-43021984915
Description: “The 14th IMGA Global ceremony will recognize the best mobile games made in 2017 or yet to be published. Held during GDC and Game Connection in San Francisco, the IMGA is where the global industry meets. Come network and meet the creators of the best mobile games of the year!”

Event: GDC2018 Tech Art Gathering
Time: 7:30PM-9:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Jillian’s, 175 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gdc2018-tech-art-gathering-tickets-43956021644
Description: “The Tech Art community is invited once again to Jillian’s Bar and Grill … for an evening of relaxation and networking after a full day of great Bootcamp content. Food and non-alcoholic beverages generously provided by Side Effects Software and The Rigging Dojo”

Event: The Anime Party @ GDC 2018 presented by VIZ Media and Rose City Games
Time: 8:00PM-11:30PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: BuzzWorks, 365 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-anime-party-gdc-2018-presented-by-viz-media-and-rose-city-games-tickets-43155185321
Description: VIZ Media and Rose City Games team up to offer attendees a chance to play indie games, check out anime, have a drink and grab some swag too.

Event: The Other Party
Time: 8:00PM-11:59PM
Cost: Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: 715 Harrison St.,715 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-party-tickets-42511328528
Description: “Come grab a drink and play some indie games with us and their creators at our bigger, better, party venue! We’ll have many games on display for game devs to show off their creations in person. Sip specialty indie themed cocktails while grooving to DJ-blended retro tunes.”

Event: GDC XPerience Mixer + After Party
Time: 6:00PM-12:00AM
Cost: $0 – $10
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Love And Propaganda, 85 Campton Place, San Francisco, CA 94108
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gdc-xperience-mixer-after-party-tickets-43324186809
Description: Club venue a few blocks from the Moscone Convention Center, hosting an indie games showcase and industry mixer

See more GDC 2018 events from Wednesday, March 21st to Friday, March 23rd on the next page!