Finding inspiration and a bit of hope in CorgiSpace
At GDC 2026, an attendee reflected on their first in-person visit to the conference since 2023, where they witnessed both the challenges and opportunities facing game development. The author observed that most of their peers in the industry have been struggling during recent years, affected by widespread mass layoffs and numerous studio closures that have contracted the sector significantly.
Despite the challenging landscape, the author found a sense of inspiration and renewed hope at the conference. They highlight the value of creating “small games with short legs”—shorter, more focused projects—as a practice that is helping them feel alive and creatively fulfilled again. This approach to game development appears to offer an alternative path forward amid industry consolidation and turbulence.
The piece uses CorgiSpace as a focal point for discussing this renewed sense of purpose and optimism. It ultimately presents a meditation on finding personal meaning and creative satisfaction through grassroots, smaller-scale game development efforts, even as the broader industry faces significant challenges. The author’s reflection suggests that while systemic industry problems persist, there remains hope and fulfillment to be found in intimate, community-focused game creation.