GDC Festival of Gaming: San Francisco Welcomes Italian Trade Agency Delegation

San Francisco is once again set to become the global capital of interactive entertainment as the GDC Festival of Gaming returns March 9–13, 2026, for its milestone 40th edition at the Moscone Center. On this occasion, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), in collaboration with IIDEA – the Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association – will lead an official delegation representing the excellence of Italy’s videogame industry.

This year, nine  Italian companies – including animation studios and videogame developers – will showcase the creativity, innovation, and technical expertise that define Italy’s rapidly evolving interactive entertainment sector. Their portfolios span a wide range of genres and formats, with particular attention to educational and culturally driven content, reflecting the distinctive identity of Italy’s creative industries. The official catalogue of the Italian delegation can be consulted at the following link.

Over the past few years, Italy’s videogame ecosystem has experienced significant growth and transformation. Once considered a niche segment, the industry has become a dynamic and strategic component of the national creative economy, with new studios and startups emerging across the country. According to the latest IIDEA report, the Italian videogame market generated more than €2.4 billion in revenue in 2024, marking a 3% increase year-over-year and positioning Italy among the top five videogame markets in Europe.

The Italian delegation arrives at GDC at a particularly strategic moment for the U.S. market. According to the 2026 State of the Game Industry Report, 54% of surveyed professionals are currently based in the United States, confirming the country’s central role in global development and investment flows. California remains the primary hub for industry concentration. At the same time, the American ecosystem is undergoing significant structural adjustments. 28% of respondents reported having experienced layoffs in the past two years, rising to one-third among U.S.-based professionals. Meanwhile, 36% of developers are incorporating generative AI tools into their workflows—primarily for research, operational support, and code assistance—signaling a shift toward efficiency-driven production models.

From a business standpoint, funding conditions remain selective. 35% of studio workers and solo developers cite self-funding as their predominant source of financing, while publishing deals account for 20%, and venture capital or private investment for 5% respectively. Additionally, 38% of executives and business professionals report that U.S.-based tariffs are impacting expenses and revenue, highlighting broader macroeconomic pressures affecting the sector.

Despite these headwinds, the U.S. market continues to lead in platform diversification and innovation. PC remains dominant (83%), followed by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The diversification of distribution models, subscription ecosystems, and cross-platform optimization underscores a market that remains highly competitive and innovation-driven.

Against this complex backdrop, GDC represents not only a global showcase but a strategic platform for partnership building, co-production conversations, publishing agreements, and investment dialogue. The presence of the Italian delegation underscores Italy’s commitment to strengthening transatlantic collaboration and positioning its creative companies within a rapidly evolving international marketplace. Attendees are invited to connect with the delegation throughout the conference at Booth N.1733. The ITA Los Angeles team will be available to provide information about participating companies and to support new business initiatives.

For additional information about the event and its programming, visit the official GDC Festival of Gaming website: https://gdconf.com.

As the global industry gathers in San Francisco, GDC 2026 offers a timely opportunity to discover the innovation, resilience, and momentum shaping Italy’s interactive entertainment landscape.