Scopely at GDC 2025: A celebration of creativity, connection & games

The 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 brought the global games community together—and Scopely was right in the heart of it. Across inspiring talks, high-impact panels, community gatherings, and celebratory mixers, our Scopeleans shared knowledge, built connections, and pushed the industry forward.

Here's a look at some of the standout moments that defined our week in San Francisco:

STEVE HUFF UNPACKED OUR LEARNING MACHINE AT POCKET GAMER CONNECTS

Steve Huff (President, Games) sat down for a fireside chat with Charlie Scowen (Steel Media) at Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco, offering an inside look at how Scopely’s “learning machine” approach fuels smarter, more engaging player experiences across our portfolio. From “Stumble Guys” to “MONOPOLY GO!” and “MARVEL Strike Force,” Steve shared how cross-game insights help refine our gameplay and live operations — giving players more of what they love.

OUR SCOPELEANS TOOK THE GDC STAGE

Jorge Martinez Vargas (Staff Engineer, “Stumble Guys”) detailed how “Stumble Guys” expanded from mobile to console in a Unity-hosted talk. From managing live operations to overcoming technology challenges, the session offered a rare look at what it takes to scale a live game across platforms.

Micah Roland (Senior Manager, Product Management, Game Integrity) joined industry leaders from EA, Roblox, and more for “Bots Cost,” a Community Clubhouse panel that broke down the real-world financial and player experience risks of cheating and what publishers can do about it.

Heather De Bernardi (Director of Product, “WWE Champions”) shared how top studios quietly stay ahead of the curve through smarter testing and feedback. Her session, hosted by PickFu, gave attendees practical strategies to improve retention and build player-first experiences.

Rayla Heide (Franchise Narrative Director) joined a dynamic Project Polaris panel of narrative designers to share findings from this year’s design retreat. Her microtalk explored the boundaries of interactive storytelling and how player impact can be expanded through thoughtful narrative mechanics.

WE GAVE BACK AT ESA’S NITE TO UNITE

Scopely leadership showed up in style to support the Entertainment Software Association Foundation’s (ESA) 23rd annual gala, Nite to Unite. This unforgettable evening raised critical funds for scholarships, wellness programs, DEI efforts, and storytelling that amplifies our industry’s social impact. Big thanks to the presenting sponsor, Xbox, and all who contributed to such a meaningful night.

WE MIXED AT OUR GDC MIXER

From craft cocktails to creative convos, we hosted our own party that brought together partners, peers, and friends of Scopely for a night of celebration and connection. Featuring delicious food, Scopely-branded cocktails, a live DJ and more, it was a memorable way to connect with some of the brightest minds in the industry.

WE CO-HOSTED A BRUNCH FOR WOMEN IN GAMES

Co-hosted with Fenwick, TikTok, and Griffin Gaming Partners, this uplifting brunch was a heartfelt celebration of women in the games industry. It created space for connection, empowerment, and visibility—something we’re proud to support every day.

From insights to impact, GDC 2025 was one for the books. Thank you to everyone who joined us—see you next year!