UPDATE 28/03/23: GDC has responded to the alleged drink spiking at an off-site party, as well as unwanted advances in and around the show.
A representative for GDC told Kotaku: “We are very upset to hear that some people, especially women, reported concerning experiences during the GDC week at off-site events, including assault and drink spiking. This is outrageous and unacceptable; everyone has a right to feel safe. We severely condemn any such behaviour and support the victims; we encourage reporting to the police and hope the perpetrators will be found.
“At the GDC event, we take everyone’s safety very seriously, we do our best to provide a secure environment on site, we enforce a strict code of conduct and make sure that the GDC team is available to help participants contact venue security or local law enforcement, to provide escorts, or to otherwise assist those experiencing unacceptable behavior to feel safe for the duration of the conference.”
ORIGINAL STORY 26/03/23: Game developers and others from within the industry are speaking out about “multiple folks” who were assaulted or spiked at this year’s GDC event.
The conference – self-described as “the game industry’s premiere professional event, championing game developers and the advancement of their craft” – ran between 20th and 24th March in San Francisco, California. As the event drew to a close, however, attendees began sharing concerning stories about their experiences at the event.
“Women at GDC this year have been belittled and undermined in their roles, been hit on relentlessly, and had their drinks spiked by predatory men,” tweeted developer Leena van Deventer (thanks, TheGamer).
“Two women were even lured up to a hotel room by a man in a position of power for a ‘pitch’, where he then assaulted them.”
Women at GDC this year have been belittled and undermined in their roles, been hit on relentlessly, and had their drinks spiked by predatory men.
Two women were even lured up to a hotel room by a man in a position of power for a “pitch”, where he then assaulted them.
— Leena 🌵 (@LeenaVanD) March 24, 2023
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“It’s gutting to thud back to earth when hearing these things. They shouldn’t happen. This year we shared their photos in group chats, though. And we strategised redress. And we reached out to the women to provide care. We’re better at being kind than you are at being a deadshit,” they added in a subsequent tweet.