Game Development Conference 2026

2026 Game Development Conference

at Canisius University

The annual Game Development Conference is travelling this year to Buffalo, New York, hosted by Canisius University from July 9-11, 2025. Interested in helping members of our community refine their games and add new titles to the Reacting catalog? Join us for playtests, game pitches, mechanics workshops, and more at what we've come to refer to as "RTTP summer camp."  Registration is open now!

PROGRAMMING 

GAME PLAYTESTS are held each morning. Six games are being playtested this year, from which you'll choose three to play; one each on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

WORKSHOPS,  PRESENTATIONS  & PITCH SESSIONS take place in the afternoons. In these  sessions, you'll have the chance to explore mechanics and design principles, hear from your colleagues on their current projects, and help troubleshoot new games-in-development.

GAME NIGHTS and other social opportunities happen after dinner—stay tuned for more information on this aspect!

SCHEDULE

Regular GDC events will run from 9:00 AM through 6:00 PM on Thursday and Friday with breaks included, and from 9:00 through 2:00 PM on Saturday. Game Nights happen on Thursday and Friday nights from 7:00 until you tap out.

FULL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE MORNING PLAYTEST GAMES,  AND A DETAILED SCHEDULE CAN BE FOUND AT THIS LINK.

PRICING

Become a member to save money on your registration! Individual memberships start at just $25. 

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION 

There is no early discount or late fee, regardless of when you register, but we ask that you sign up for the conference by 11:59 PM on June 30, 2026.

ROOM & BOARD & TRAVEL

Three breakfasts and lunches, daily snack and coffee breaks, as well as Thursday's dinner are included in the conference fee. Friday's dinner is up to you.

Lodging is available for $55 per night, plus a one-time linen fee of $15. You will get a single room in a two- or three-bedroom apartment with a shared bathroom and kitchen.

Canisius is close to the Buffalo airport, the Amtrak station, and the bus depot, and parking is available near the residence hall.

The Reacting Consortium Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, reserves the right to bar any person from the Reacting Faculty Lounge on Facebook and from participation in any Reacting Consortium event.