The world’s largest gathering of professional game developers, GDC, launches a dedicated virtual reality sister conference VRDC this year – and the call for submissions to the VR industry and community to present at the inaugural event is now open.

The annual GDC (Game Developers Conference) has risen rapidly to the top of the pile for those awaiting the latest developments from the VR industry. Road to VR has reported from the show since 2013, with each successive event seeing a growing interest in immersive technologies – culminating in this year’s show, which was arguably dominated by virtual reality technologies and related software.

VRDC Submissions Here

Therefore, UBM Tech Game Network, the body behind the annual Game Developer Conference, have decided to spin up a dedicated, standalone conference to be held alongside the GDC Summits (track-focused gatherings) during the first two days of GDC 2016 (March 14th–15th) in San Francisco.

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A call for submissions from those interested in presenting talks “…exploring virtual and augmented reality spaces pertaining to both game and non-game, entertainment-immersive VR & AR development to be represented in two main tracks: the Game VR/AR Track and the Entertainment VR/AR Track.” The deadline for submissions closes on Friday, October 2nd at at 11:59 PT.

The two tracks breakdown like this:


Game VR/AR Track

Advisors are soliciting submissions exploring Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in game development, pertaining to topics across multiple disciplines including Design, Production, Programming, and Visual Art. Submissions should be representative of interesting and current work happening in VR and AR game development and have valuable, actionable and/or inspiring takeaways for the VRDC audience.

Entertainment VR/AR Track

Virtual and Augmented Reality is about so much more than just games. For the Entertainment VR/VR Track, Advisors are soliciting submissions spanning VR and AR application, design, implementation and development across multiple industries including Entertainment, Travel, Retail, Fitness, Product Design, Journalism, Sports Entertainment. If you’re developing an immersive VR or AR experience or application that goes beyond games, we want to hear about it!


The inaugural VRDC will take place on the Monday and Tuesday of GDC 2016 (March 14-15). Passes to attend will also allow entrance to the GDC Expo Floor, March 16-18, where many of VR’s biggest names will be showcasing their latest technology. VRDC will also be open to all GDC 2016 Summits or All Access Pass holders.

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Road to VR will of course be there to cover both the VRDC and GDC events to bring you the latest news form both shows. Catch Ben’s recent breakdown of how important GDC has been to VR in recent years here.

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Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.