The Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2026, held in San Francisco, has shown a notable shift in industry trends compared to previous years. Unlike GDC 2023, which was marked by multiple sessions and announcements related to blockchain and NFTs, this year has seen a drastic reduction in their presence.
In fact, the only reference to this topic has been a talk about “digital wallets” and a banner from a blockchain company at the event space.
But there will be a lot of AI
In contrast, generative artificial intelligence occupies a prominent place at GDC 2026, with multiple talks and presentations focused on its impact on video game development.Titans of technology like Nvidia and Google are present, and conferences such as “Experiencing AI-Powered Assistants in Games” and “AI Trends Today and Opportunities for Tomorrow” have been scheduled.
However, it is important to note that most industry professionals have a negative perception of its effect on the industry: 52% of respondents believe that generative artificial intelligence is having a negative impact, while only 7% think otherwise.
The conversations in the hallways reflect a strong discontent, with several professionals expressing their rejection of the use of this technology. A game design supervisor in the UK even commented: “I would rather leave the industry than use generative AI.”
Despite this discouraging outlook, some AI-based game developers are seeking to change the narrative, proposing that language models can serve the authorial narrative in a way that resonates with players.
Meanwhile, although blockchain is no longer the predominant trend at GDC, companies like Sony and CCP continue to explore its potential in the gaming world, researching new ways to integrate it into their interactive experiences.
