GDC 2025 Booths Worth Visiting on the Expo Floor

The GDC Expo Floor is packed with tools, studios, technology, experiments, and the occasional booth that makes you rethink what a controller can be. With more than 400 exhibitors at GDC 2025, picking a starting route matters.

Vicon Motion Capture Tools, Booth #S235

Vicon is bringing motion capture technology for animators and game developers, including live demos that show how mocap can shape character animation. It is a strong stop for anyone working in animation, cinematics, virtual production, or performance capture.

The Mocap Society Mixer is also worth noting if you want a networking opportunity with industry professionals. For a look at the kind of presentation Vicon has brought to GDC before, watch the GDC 2024 footage below.

alt.ctrl.GDC

The alt.ctrl.GDC showcase returns for 2025 with its usual mix of strange, clever, and memorable game interfaces. This area highlights games that use unconventional controllers, including musical instruments, physical props, and sometimes objects that were probably not designed with game input in mind.

It is one of the best places at GDC to see experimental design in action and talk with developers who are building far outside the standard keyboard, mouse, and gamepad setup.

Epic Games and Unreal Engine

Epic Games typically brings a large Unreal Engine presence to GDC, and 2025 should be no exception. Expect live demos, developer talks, and examples of how Unreal Engine supports major game projects.

For a preview of the kind of showcase Epic has delivered at the conference, the State of Unreal presentation from GDC 2024 is a useful reference.

Creative Wales Pavilion

The Creative Wales Pavilion is a good stop for discovering studios, developers, and potential collaborators from the region. If your GDC goals include finding fresh talent, new partnerships, or a few unexpected project ideas, this booth belongs on the route.

It is also a reminder that some of the most interesting work on an expo floor is not always attached to the biggest logo hanging from the ceiling.

Independent Games Festival Pavilion

The IGF Pavilion celebrates independent game development by showcasing finalists and giving attendees a chance to meet the people behind the games. It is one of the strongest areas for anyone interested in design risks, unusual storytelling, and gameplay ideas that do not feel committee-built.

You can also watch the IGF and GDCA awards ceremonies from GDC 2024 here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/eH67as6A7Og

Bonus: HolyHosting Booth

HolyHosting will also be at GDC 2025 with giveaways, swag, and conversations about multiplayer gaming infrastructure. If game servers, hosting, and online communities are part of your work, it is worth stopping by for a chat.