Uruguay’s presence at the Game Developers Conference (GDC)—the most crucial event in the global video game industry—continues to demonstrate its strategic value as a platform for positioning and internationalizing local talent. One of the most outstanding cases is that of the Uruguayan studio Rubber Duck, which in 2023 presented its video game Evil Wizard at the country’s stand and managed to be recognized among the eight best games of the event.

That milestone was the starting point for key connections. Among them was the first meeting with the international publisher Gamera Games, with offices in China and Japan, which, thanks to the visibility obtained at the GDC, subsequently acquired Kingdom of Cards, the studio’s new project. At the 2025 edition of the GDC, Gamera promoted the title in its own space within the event, consolidating a path of international growth that began at the Uruguay stand.

“Kingdom of Cards has some unique points. It integrates two genres synergistically, something that is not easy to achieve and that we have already seen work very well with our audience. The game itself is perfect, and we think it will do very well, too,” said Alan Ávila, co-president of the Japanese office of Gamera Games.

For Gonzalo ‘Banki’ Martínez, producer at the Rubber Duck studio, GDC is the place to be for video game creators. ‘It’s the event that generated the most contacts and business opportunities for us,’ he said.

A country strategy to scale up creativity

Uruguay XXI and the Uruguayan Chamber of Video Game Developers (CAVI) promoted Uruguay’s participation in the GDC. The country stand, which was once again present in San Francisco this year, allows Uruguayan studios to present their projects, access business rounds, and generate links with key players in the global industry.

In addition, the space functions as a showcase for the national ecosystem through tools such as the Uruguay Video Games website, which brings together the highlights of local production.

Cases such as Rubber Duck reflect the growing maturity of the Uruguayan ecosystem, which is positioning itself as a benchmark in the global video game industry thanks to a solid ecosystem that combines young and creative talent, a robust technological infrastructure, and public policies that promote innovation.

This environment gives rise to a collaborative community that is constantly expanding, with key initiatives such as the Level UY event, which brings together developers, investors, and industry players. In addition, the country continues to attract international companies such as Etermax, Globant, Jam City, and Endava, which find in Uruguay a strategic environment in which to operate and scale up in Latin America and the world.

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