AWS GDC 2025 Highlights

Nearly 30,000 attendees were welcomed to the March 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC) at the Moscone Convention Center with an official ribbon cutting by the Mayor of San Francisco. Games industry professionals, executive and enthusiasts visited the Amazon Web Services (AWS) for Games GDC booth to witness how the cloud, AI, and real-time streaming are transforming the games industry.

Amazon GameLift Streams, the groundbreaking new capability, enables game streaming directly to players at 1080p and 60 fps without requiring downloads or installations made its debut at GDC. Throughout the show, AWS showcased how it empowers customers to deliver breakthrough gaming experiences, offering new ways for developers to build, run, and grow their games.

AWS also hosted insightful sessions featuring Epic Games, Netflix Games, Riot Games, Jackbox Games, and more. AWS revealed how they unlock new opportunities for game developers large and small.

Image 1: AWS team at GDC 2025.

Developers reach new heights with Amazon GameLift Streams

Highlighting the capabilities of Amazon GameLift Streams, AWS hosted a session detailing how it is enabling a range of development efficiencies and new business opportunities. AWS presented playable ads for Ludeo and powering Xsolla’s game streaming service, to game streaming smart TVs for JackBox Games and a time-saving proof of concept playtesting workflow for Epic Games.

Image 2: GDC 2025 attendees demo Amazon GameLift Streams.

Generative AI takes the spotlight

New generative AI-powered solutions were a draw at the AWS booth, including the Miro mood board for character and world design inspiration and AI-driven game ad personalization. Leveraging Amazon Nova, cutting-edge generative AI foundation models, these demonstrations illustrated how developers and studios of all sizes can streamline development, enhance player engagement, and unlock new monetization models.

A standout attraction was the AI-powered Metahuman booth guide, displayed as a life-size holographic avatar using Amazon Nova, which provided real-time information on AWS technologies.

Additionally, booth visitors experienced AWS for Games technologies across the game development lifecycle. Eight demo stations, staffed by AWS experts, highlighted services and solutions for cloud game development, game content creation, backend and infrastructure, and player acquisition, engagement, and monetization. Learn more about the AWS for Games GDC 2025 demos.

Image 3: The holographic AWS booth guide at GDC 2025.

Connecting with the community

AWS played a central role in driving meaningful conversations at GDC 2025, including supporting the annual Celebrating Women in Games panel and networking event—attended by more than 350 people. Joanie Kraut, CEO of Women in Games International (WIGI), led a panel discussion with Justine Higueras (Roblox), Jen MacLean (Dragon Snacks Games), and Sarah Anderson (Amazon Games). The panel celebrated the accomplishments and viewpoints of those promoting diversity and inclusion in the games industry. The AWS-sponsored Community Clubhouse also provided a dedicated space for networking and knowledge-sharing, where GDC attendees could engage with industry leaders from Activision, Niantic, EA, and Take-Two.

Image 4: Panelists and AWS attendees at the GDC 2025 Celebrating Women in Games networking event.

Industry insights from AWS sessions

AWS hosted five dynamic speaking sessions, offering an in-depth look into how game developers are using the cloud to develop, publish, and scale their games. Session highlights included:

• Effortless Game Launches: How League of Legends Runs at Scale on AWS explored Riot Games’ auto scaling infrastructure and flexible provisioning platform.
• Green Light: Unleashing Squid Game on Amazon GameLift detailed Netflix’s successful launch of a fast-paced mobile game inspired by the hit show.
• Unleash Game Streaming with Amazon GameLift Streams illustrated how AWS enables direct-to-player game streaming, with insights from a panel comprising Epic Games, Jackbox Games, Ludeo, and Xsolla.
• Building Games with Unreal Engine Horde on AWS showcased Epic’s build automation platform, emphasizing efficiency in large-scale game development.
• How Game Streaming Creates New Opportunities for Jackbox Games highlighted how Amazon GameLift Streams is transforming how players access and interact with Jackbox’s games.

Image 5: AWS sessions at GDC 2025.

Parting thoughts

GDC 2025 was a landmark event for AWS, with industry leaders showcasing how AWS for Games powers the future of game development. Thanks to our customers, partners, and the teams at AWS for making this year’s GDC a success!

Visit AWS for Games for ongoing updates and insights into the future of gaming technology. Explore the AWS for Games blog to learn how developers are using AWS to build, run, and grow their experiences.

AWS for Games at NAB 2025

If you’re attending the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB Show) in Las Vegas next month, stop by the AWS booth (W1701) to check out the latest demos from AWS for Games, as well as AWS for Media & Entertainment and AWS for Sports offerings. Register for a free exhibit hall pass and book a meeting. Find full details on the AWS NAB 2025 event page