“GDC opens doors to new opportunities that can shape the future for indie studios”

Uruguay reaffirmed its place on the global video game scene by participating in the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, the world’s most important event for developers in the sector, held annually in San Francisco, California. For the fourth consecutive time, the country participated with a delegation organized by Uruguay XXI and the Uruguayan Chamber of Video Game Developers (CAVI), comprised of 13 studios, who traveled to expand their projects and consolidate their international presence.

The Uruguay Video Games stand became a strategic point for showcasing national talent and generating business opportunities. Uruguayan companies held meetings with publishers and high-level investors in a highly competitive and globalized environment.

“Having the opportunity to connect with publishers and industry professionals allowed me to make strategic contacts and publicize our work,” said Joaquín Volonté, from Hipocampo, who presented his game Down the Darkest Pit. ”GDC is a gateway to new opportunities that can define the future of an indie studio. Being there, showing our project, and expanding our network of contacts was a key opportunity and an experience that undoubtedly boosted our path as developers,” he added.

The delegation included studios with extensive international experience, such as Ironhide Game Studio, creators of the successful Kingdom Rush saga, and Pomelo Games, responsible for the acclaimed Outlanders. Emerging talent also joined the delegation, such as Isoca Games, winners of the award given by Uruguay XXI and CAVI at the local video game event Level UY, who presented Wings of Endless, a project in development with a view to its launch on consoles this year.

“It was our first GDC, so we saw it as a learning experience. We are very grateful for the opportunity they gave us,” said Diego Méndez of Isoca Games. Meanwhile, his colleague Eugenia Pais added that the GDC 2025 experience was invaluable in several aspects. ‘It allowed us to connect with industry leaders, explore new opportunities for collaboration, and learn first-hand about the trends that are defining the future of gaming,’ she said.

Luminara Game Studio, Great Oak Games, Rubber Duck Games, Dubious Loop, Mucho Games, ABYA Gaming Platform, Flow Labs, Hipocampo, Entrevero, and Team Brunomir (who participated virtually) completed this powerful delegation that reflects the diversity and dynamism of the local ecosystem. In total, more than 60 studios make up the video game universe in Uruguay today, a figure that has doubled in the last decade thanks to the sustained growth of the sector and the promotion of strategic public policies.

Among the novelties of this edition, Entrevero, the country’s first video game cooperative, made history by participating for the first time in an international event of this magnitude, marking a milestone for the inclusion of new organizational models in the industry. For its part, Flow Labs, a software factory venturing into the world of gaming for the first time, reflected the growing cross-cutting interest in the sector.

The Uruguayan presence also had a prominent voice in the global debate on inclusion and diversity. Laia Barboza, known as Laia Bee, international reference and co-founder of Pincer Games, once again moderated the renowned #1ReasonToBe panel, which addresses the challenges and advances in equity within the industry.

“The experience was excellent, much better than my participation in 2019 alone. The delegation was impeccable, a very warm group willing to help each other,” said Hernán Azambuya from Luminara Game Studio. ‘The stand was handy as a meeting point with publishers interested in the industry,’ he added.

For Juan Rodríguez, from Great Oak Games, participating in GDC exposed them to an industry dominated by the northern hemisphere. “These types of events are key for Latin American studios to achieve visibility and access to global opportunities,” he remarked. Meanwhile, Rafael De Marco from Flow Labs welcomed the opportunity to network. “I even came away with some leads that could become concrete business. Very grateful for everything!” he said.

Thanks to the coordination between Uruguay XXI, CAVI, and the Latin American Video Game Federation, the studios received 10 All Access Passes and 10 Expo Passes, as well as the design and assembly of the stand, promotional materials, and the professional support necessary to do business. Participation also received the backing of the Uruguayan Film and Audiovisual Agency (ACAU), which financed two participants through its international positioning line.

While the business generated in the previous edition exceeded US$500,000, the results of this new participation are already beginning to be seen: more than 15 strategic meetings, new commercial leads, and alliances are in the making.

Learn about the success story of the Uruguayan studio Rubber Duck at GDC here.

Participation in GDC 2025 was much more than an international showcase; it was a platform for Uruguayan studios to project their creativity, generate strategic networks, and continue to break new ground in the global video game industry.

Learn more about the Uruguayan studios and participants in GDC 2025