Inside GDC: Embersail Studio’s first time on the Global Stage

Attending the Game Developers Conference is a major milestone for anyone in the gaming industry! As an indie studio, attending for the first time offers a whole new experience, even

for the conference veteran Caghan Bonnough, our Director for Business & Marketing. After the week-long event, we interviewed Caghan to know more about her experience representing Embersail Studios at the GDC 2026. 

 

Q: Hi Caghan! What’s it like representing an indie studio in a big event like GDC?

A: It’s equal parts exhilarating, exhausting and intense. You’re walking into a space where massive AAA studios and tiny indie teams are sharing the same floor—and somehow, you have to make sure your studio stands out. There’s a real sense of pride in being the voice of something scrappy and creative, but also pressure. 

You’re not just networking—you’re advocating, pitching, and storytelling constantly. Every conversation matters because it could turn into funding, publishing, or a long-term partnership. At the same time, there’s something incredible about the indie community. Everyone understands the hustle, so even in a massive event, it still feels like you are surrounded by people who really get you!”

Q: Are there any tips you want to share when networking with other developers during conferences?

A: The biggest one: don’t treat it like “networking.” Treat it like you are making friends and be curious! 

Go into conversations wanting to understand what people are building and why—not what they can do for you. The best connections I’ve made came from genuine interest, not a pitch.

A few practical tips:

• Lead with what makes your project different, not just what it is

• Don't just focus on the pitch, feel the room, feel the person and adapt. Sometimes the pitch won't happen until way later, but building a relationship can be much more important

• Make sure you learn about the people you are networking with. When you follow up with a personal touch, it can have a much larger impact than just a "hey, we met at GDC"

and honestly—pace yourself. The best opportunities sometimes come from the third conversation of the day, not the first. 

Q: What’s the best part of GDC for you?

A: The best part of GDC for me would have to be the connections. I love getting to meet new people and hear their take on the industry and strategy. There’s this energy of shared ambition that’s hard to replicate anywhere else. Everyone is there to build something, and you can feel it!

Q: Any memorable learnings from the event?

A:  Two main things: 

1. Clarity beats complexity: If someone can’t understand your game or studio in under a minute, you’ve already lost momentum. The teams that stand out are the ones who communicate simply and confidently.

2. Relationships > immediate outcomes.  Not every meeting will turn into something right away—and that’s okay. GDC is as much about planting seeds as it is about closing deals.

GDC 2026 is a fantastic opportunity for an indie studio to spread its wings and immerse in the industry today. Caghan’s experience at GDC shows us making something great starts with the confidence that your studio belongs in this space! 

I really liked the insight of focusing on nurturing connections that can outlast the Convention. Being genuinely interested in others’ ideas and personalities makes relationships last and relieves the pressure off the misconception that every deal must happen during the event. It doesn’t, and only makes you anxious and too nervous to even enjoy being at GDC. 

 The act of taking pride in your Studio’s vision and using that to strike a conversation is simply what we need to take our rightful space in the industry as a creative. Stay true to who you are and the rest will follow. 

Thanks, Caghan!