Some international attendees are skipping the 2026 GDC due to safety concerns and increased ICE attendance

The 2026 Game Developers Conference is shaping up to be less international this year if commentary on social media platforms like LinkedIn is any indication.

Several members of the international gaming industry announced that they would not attend the event, mainly due to concerns about safety, stricter US immigration rules, and a stronger Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence. Developers, former GDC attendees, and other industry professionals have moved to platforms like LinkedIn To express their concerns publicly.

ICE activity in several US cities, as well as recent deadly shootings in Minneapolis involving ICE agents, have exacerbated concerns. Renee Nicole Goode was killed on January 7, and intensive care unit nurse Alex Pretty died on January 24. Many travelers also said they were concerned about unexpected border checks and safety concerns.

As one person said: “It’s not worth the risk of going.” Another said: “The US is just a very problematic location for an international event.”

GDC, now rebranded as the “GDC Gaming Festival,” is scheduled to take place in San Francisco from March 9-13.

Others cited general concerns about safety as well as cost as factors in their decision not to attend. Some independent developers and small studios said the costs, which include hotel, food, travel and ticket price, are too high.

In response to these concerns, GDC President Nina Brown said Mobilegamer.biz“The safety of our community is always our top priority.” Brown said in a statement that the GDC is working closely with “local officials and legal experts to monitor changes in U.S. policy” and to provide the latest guidance. Brown also advised international attendees to start their visa applications early and consult their embassies regarding any special requirements.

Brown also outlined several safety measures, including that GDC provides a 24/7 safety hotline, safety training for event staff, and security escorts upon request. The San Francisco Safety Community Ambassadors Program will also be in attendance, providing additional support to attendees throughout the event.

TechCrunch has also reached out to GDC for comment and will update this article if the organization responds.

On the cost side, GDC has done just that foot A simpler and more affordable ticketing system to make the event accessible to small developers and indie studios. The new Festival Pass replaces the previous All-Access Pass and is 45% cheaper, starting at US$649 and providing access to all major event programmes.