Several game developers attending GDC 2023 have reported some concerning, and highly illegal, behavior taking place during the conference on social media. Allegations include severe predatory behavior, like drink-spiking and assault, to general harassment.
Game developer Leena dan Deventer took to Twitter, stating women at the GDC were “belittled and undermined,” while being “hit on relentlessly,” which included drinks being drugged. They also said “Two women were even lured up to a hotel room by a man in a position of power for a ‘pitch’, where he then assaulted them.”
Women at GDC this year have been belittled and undermined in their roles, been hit on relentlessly, and had their drinks spiked by predatory men.
— Leena 🌵 (@LeenaVanD) March 24, 2023
Two women were even lured up to a hotel room by a man in a position of power for a “pitch”, where he then assaulted them.
These allegations were repeated by gaming PR person Guy Blomberg, who helped to organize a karaoke event where the reported drink-spiking happened. “I’m furious this not only happened, but that it tends to happen so frequently that it’s become almost commonplace,” they stated on Twitter.
I’m so very sorry they had to go through such a horrifying experience, it’s absolutely not their fault, and we’re already in the process of tracking down the fucking scumbag who did this.
— Guy ‘Yug’ Blomberg (@YugSTAR) March 25, 2023
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The GDC has become well-known for this alleged predatory behavior (especially when it comes to drink-spiking) that developers warn their colleagues about it every year.