GDC Festival of Gaming: AI Survey & Award Finalists Revealed

The upcoming GDC Festival of Gaming is already making headlines with major announcements, including the release of its comprehensive 2026 State of the Game Industry Survey and the list of finalists for its prestigious awards. The event, scheduled for March 9-13 at the Moscone Center, promises to offer deep insights into the current and future landscape of the gaming world.

Key Insights from the 2026 GDC Festival of Gaming Survey

One of the most significant releases is the 2026 State of the Game Industry Survey, which gathered responses from over 2,300 professionals. The report sheds light on several critical topics, from technology adoption to workplace dynamics. A major highlight is the industry’s complex relationship with generative AI. While 36% of professionals report using AI tools in their work, a majority of that group (52%) expressed concerns about its negative impact on the industry.

Furthermore, the survey reveals overwhelming support for unionization among US-based developers, with 82% in favor of unionizing game industry workers. In the realm of development tools, Unreal Engine has emerged as the frontrunner, with 42% of respondents citing it as their primary engine, comfortably ahead of Unity at 30%. These findings provide a crucial snapshot of the pressures and priorities shaping game development today.

Top Games Honored: GDCA and IGF Finalists Announced

In another exciting development, the finalists for the Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA) and the Independent Games Festival (IGF) have been revealed. These awards celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in both AAA and indie game development.

For the GDCAs, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a standout, leading with nominations in eight categories. The coveted Game of the Year category features a strong lineup including:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Blue Prince
Donkey Kong Bananza
Ghost of Yōtei
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Split Fiction

On the independent front, Baby Steps leads the IGF Awards with five nominations, including nods for Excellence in Audio, Design, and Narrative. The festival will also feature the new Luminaries Speaker Series, a three-day program with leaders from Google, NVIDIA, Netflix, SEGA, and Mattel discussing the macro forces shaping the future of gaming, such as AI, global expansion, and transmedia opportunities.