The tough immigration enforcement stance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has flashed a warning light for the success of the Game Developers Conference (GDC), the world's largest event for game developers. Overseas developers are pulling out due to tighter entry screening and safety concerns.
According to U.S. game and IT outlets on the 28th, numerous game developers and industry officials, mainly in Europe and Canada, have recently canceled or reconsidered attending GDC, citing the recent tightening of immigration enforcement in the United States and public safety issues. Analysts said rising local tensions following a string of deaths during ICE operations this month also played a role.
GDC is the world's largest annual event for game developers held every March, where global game industry workers share technology trends and industry issues. This year's event is scheduled to take place from Mar. 9 to 13 (local time) at Moscone Center in San Francisco.
At this year's GDC, Korea's Blockchain game company Nexus CEO Jang Hyun-guk and indie game project Mun's scenario writer Han Eun-kyung plan to participate as speakers.
Although organizers expanded and revamped the event this year under the name "GDC Festival of Gaming" and lowered the participation expense, concerns are emerging that the share of overseas participants could decline due to unexpectedly tougher immigration enforcement.
GDC said it is advising participants from each country to apply for visas early, recommending prior confirmation with their own embassies, and closely monitoring the situation.