The Game Developers Conference has decided to help Amir Satvat’s Games Community with the equivalent of a $108,000 grant in the form of GDC Expo Passes for game job seekers.
Satvat has become well known in gaming (with more than 100,000 followers on LinkedIn) because he has provided aggregated game job openings and other services for job seekers at a time when the industry has seen at least 33,000 layoffs in the past 2.5 years. More than 2,800 people have credited Satvat for helping them find jobs in gaming.
And now GDC has selected Satvat’s s an official GDC 2025 Industry and Media Partner.
“Thanks to GDC’s generous contribution, we have received 240 passes for the event. In addition, our community’s logo will be featured on the GDC website and onsite signage, with links to amirsatvat.com in all digital versions,” Satvat said in a post. “We will also be recognized as an official partner within the GDC event app, with our logo showcased in event promotions and a post on the official GDC channel. The impact of this generosity in empowering the games community is profound and deeply appreciated.”
He added, “In combination with support from our Foundational Sponsor, OtherSide Entertainment, as well as contributions from David Wohlreich, and Danreb Victorio, we have a total of 285 expo passes to give away. I am also in discussions with six additional potential donors, and if you’re interested in contributing, please DM me. Altogether, these contributions total $128,000 in GDC passes – all for you, made possible by these incredible supporters who wish to see you back at work.”
The drawing for these GDC passes is now open at the following link: https://lnkd.in/e3gkxXWj
The first batch of winners will be drawn on December 16, 2024, with additional winners drawn weekly if there are more donations. Each GDC Expo pass is the equivalent of $449, and it grants access to the GDC’s Expo Hall, Games Career Development Sessions, and over 15 other venues from Wednesday to Friday (March 19-21, 2025). Other expenses are not included.
Those who will be given priority are unemployed, and then underemployed, gamers seeking work in video games.
In other recent news, the Big Games Employment Survey found that 30% of those laid off in games in Europe are still looking for work, and a total of 21% of European gamer company workers have been laid off.
