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Your Writerly Week At GDC – Where, What, When

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The GDC Festival of Gaming in San Francisco is just around the corner, and we at the IGDA Game Writing SIG and our friends have been brewing up some familiar – and new – events that we’re pretty excited to share with you. Whether you’re part of the old guard or new in our community of game narrative professionals, we hope to see you around!

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Parties, sessions and meetups by the WSIG and friends

Sunday March 8th: Pre-GDC SIG Dinner at TBD

Sunday night dinner is perfect for those new to the community who want to get to know each other before the conference kicks into gear on Monday. Food and drinks are at your own expense, but both affordable and delicious.

Mon – Fri: Writerly Breakfast at Mel’s Drive-in, 7am - 9am

In the mornings throughout the week, game writers, while not typically morning creatures, can be found at Mel’s Drive-in on Mission Street, a stonethrow from the Moscone. A 1950’s style American diner complete with leatherette upholstery and chrome detailing, it has a wide selection of breakfast classics to start your day. Do try the freshly squeezed orange juice.

Tuesday: It’s Not in the Writer’s Manual: Q&A for New Writers, Room 2014, West Hall, 10:30am - 11:30am

You’re a game writer – Now what? A staple of the narrative programming at GDC, the It’s Not in the Writer’s Manual: Q&A for New Writers panel with Toiya Kirsten Finley, Nessa Cannon, Matthew Weise, Ashley Ruhl and Andrea Saravia Perez is a fantastic opportunity for entry-level writers to get answers to their most burning questions.

Tuesday: IGDA Game Writing SIG - Annual GDC Dinner at FANG, 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Our annual and by now legendary dinner will take place at FANG, home of the garlic broccoli. Join us for a relaxed chance to talk craft, share stories, and connect with writers and narrative designers at every stage of their careers.

Tuesday: Write Club at Jonny Foley’s Irish House, 7:30pm to 11pm

For over two decades, Write Club has been the must-attend gathering for game writers at GDC. Daring game writers compete with on-the-spot written responses to prompts delivered by our emcee, CJ Kershner. Prizes will be given to the winners. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and uniquely us. This year, thanks to our sponsors, we have the cellar of Johnny Foley’s Irish House all to ourselves!

NB! If you want to compete in Write Club (only 30 spots available), make sure to indicate “Participant” when you register and show up before 7:30 pm.

Thank You Write Club Sponsors!

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Become a 2026 Write Club Sponsor!

Wednesday March 11th: BYO Park Lunch & Business Card Swap, Yerba Buena Park. Noon – 2pm

Our annual WSIG GDC BYO Park Lunch picnic takes place on Wednesday from noon until sunburn. Take a break from the hectic conferencing and chill out with fellow narrative folks, and once done, exchange business cards. No pass and no ticket needed – simply show up with your snacks and find the writers! Newcomers are especially welcome.

Wednesday: Game Writing SIG Active Membership Chat (Presented by the IGDA), ROOM 301, SOUTH HALL, 1:50pm - 2:50pm

The IGDA Game Writing SIG leadership would like to chat and have coffee with those involved in narrative for games. We’re actively recruiting volunteers to help pursue the bold mission set out in our constitution: https://www.game-writing.com/constitution. Several SIG committee members and active volunteers will be on hand to talk about the future of the profession, the next steps for our SIG, and how we can make it better. We’ll present details about our past year, talk about our growing initiatives, and field questions by attendees. Those interested in volunteering will learn about our community and find out if there’s a good opportunity to get involved!

Thursday: Professional Game Writing Roundtable: Best Practices and Issues (Presented by the IGDA), Room 301, South Hall, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

“Hosted by Jon Myers and Justin Bortnick, in Professional Game Writing: Best Practices And Issues, we shall discuss ways participants can improve their craft as game writers, as well as raising concerns about fulfilling the role. Participants can ask questions of the larger group or share their own experiences and techniques for succeeding in the role, creatively and professionally.”

Friday: The Unofficial Narrative Groundtable, Yerba Buena Park, 2:30pm

Do you feel like there wasn’t enough narrative in the official programme? To tie off the week, join us for a casual get-together in the park. The Unofficial Narrative Groundtable is framed around work discussion rather than casual networking with different storytelling hot potatoes gathered into discussion groups on picnic blankets. Bring your own snacks!

Friday: Online Coffee Line, in the WSIG Discord server, Noon - 1:30pm

You know how at conferences, you sometimes strike up the oddest conversations while waiting in line for the most god-awful coffee humanity has ever brewed? And those conversations, which usually are about a shared dismay at the lack of your favorite type of milk or sweetener, or the abysmal selection of bagged teas, somehow leads to chat about your favorite 70’s rock bands and before you know it, you’ve made a… a friend?

And still, we know that GDC, with travel, accommodation, and food in the Bay Area, is quite a pricey endeavor to undertake, and not accessible to all of our members. Whether it’s for economical, health, or political reasons that you won’t or can’t attend, rest assured you’re not alone. In fact, the person writing this is not going to be there this year.

Introducing the Online Coffee Line in our WSIG Discord server on Friday from noon to 1:30pm. Drop in any time and stay a while. Put on an old conference T-shirt or any badge you want, and chat about your favorite games with us over your favorite hot beverage from the comfort of your home.

Additional writer-friendly events at GDC

Spotted by our members, here are a few more events that we believe you will enjoy. Please note that the information may not be up-to-date! For more GDC parties, check out: GDC Parties

Sunday: Day of the Devs, San Francisco Edition, The Midway

“At our flagship annual San Francisco event we host thousands of people to play 60-70 unreleased games, including some non-traditional alt-control games, and put on musical performances by video game composers or performers, such as Darren Korb, Baiyon, and Doseone. Admission is always free, for developers and players alike, and open to all ages.” More information: Day of the Devs

Monday: GDC Nights – Opening at the Ballpark at 6pm

Part of the official conference programme, Monday night gathers the conference goers to a new outdoor venue, complete with concessions and booths! While the WSIG doesn’t have its own booth, come say hi to Justin and others at the Interactive Fiction Technology Foundation (IFTF) booth.

Tuesday: RPG/TTRPG Devs Mixer, Saluhall food court (IKEA), 3:30pm - 5:30pm

“Connect with fellow video game RPG and TTRPG designers over food and drinks at Saluhall food court, two blocks from Moscone Center.”

Are you hosting a writer-friendly event in conjunction with GDC and want it listed? Get in touch with us at info@game-writing.com!

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