Canadian Game Developers Urged to Skip GDC 2025 Over U.S. Border Concerns, ‘Wipe Your Phones’

Raphael van Lierop, CEO of Hinterland Games, unleashed a wild LinkedIn meltdown warning Canadian game developers to dodge GDC 2025 in San Francisco, claiming U.S. border goblins are out to get them. Is this legit, or just another conspiracy spiral?

Raphael van Lierop, the outspoken founder, CEO, and Chief Creative Officer of Hinterland Games, sparked debate on March 11, 2025, with a LinkedIn post shared on X by Grummz.

He’s begging Canadian game developers to rethink U.S. travel for the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, citing shadowy border security and data privacy boogeymen.

I caught this scrolling tech news last night—right alongside indie game hype. It’s a surprising move from the studio behind The Long Dark, but I’m hardly shocked by the theatrics.

Van Lierop’s full statement reads:

IMPORTANT message for all my Canadian game developer friends and colleagues.

If you are attending GDC in San Fran next week, I beseech you to reconsider. You can no longer expect to travel to the US and return safely.

Things are getting intense and they are going to get worse before they get better. Do not put yourself in a position where you are unable to get back into Canada, or where your Canadian citizenship is used against you.

This is especially true if you have been supportive of any causes or expressed any values that run contrary to the tastes of the current administration in the US. If you have, wipe your phones and know your rights before you enter the US. Stay in touch with family and friends in Canada so they know where you are at all times.

Or even better, just stay home! ALL GDC talks will be available in the vault, and most business transactions can be done over video calls or, better yet, you can just invite folks to visit you in Canada. We are generally nice and friendly, as long as you don’t threaten to annex our country.

I’m sorry if this seems alarmist to you, but if it does I would suggest you haven’t been paying sufficient attention to the news or the unfolding before your very eyes. Please be careful!!

After this was initially posted, he added the following —

Van Lierop wraps with a flourish: “I’m sorry if this seems alarmist to you, but if it does I would suggest you haven’t been paying sufficient attention to the news or what is unfolding before your very eyes. Please be careful!!” Alarmist? Definitely feels like it, but I’m here for the facts.

GDC 2025 Meets U.S.-Canada Drama

GDC 2025, scheduled from March 17-21 in San Francisco, is gaming’s biggest meetup, per its official site. Organizers have implemented safety measures like a 24/7 Safety Helpline, CA training, and walking groups, partnering with city officials to secure the Moscone Center, per VentureBeat. Yet, they’ve remained silent on van Lierop’s specific warnings, leaving his claims floating ominously.

Thousands attend GDC annually, but van Lierop paints Canadians as potential targets amid growing U.S.-Canada tension. It’s dramatic, but is there actual danger?

Unpacking U.S.-Canada Border Tension

Van Lierop’s fears aren’t entirely baseless. U.S. border policies tightened in 2024, with more checks on digital devices and social media activities, per CBC News. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have increased scrutiny, leading to prolonged interrogations or delays for some Canadians, according to The Washington Post.

Canada’s 2022 Online Streaming Act also added friction with U.S. tech companies, per NorfolkToday.ca. Is it enough to justify van Lierop’s advice to “wipe your phones”? Maybe he’s overstating the threat—there’s no clear evidence U.S. agents are specifically targeting devs over their online opinions.

Hinterland’s hit game The Long Dark, boasting over 8 million players per van Lierop’s LinkedIn, isn’t explicitly political. Still, his position as a Canadian gaming leader lends weight to his comments.

Stakes for Canadian Devs

For Canadian developers, skipping GDC means missing critical networking. Van Lierop notes that GDC talks will be available online, but the in-person experience drives careers—staying home could hurt. It feels like fearmongering, but some caution might be understandable.

Hinterland might see backlash—van Lierop’s warnings could irritate U.S. partners or trigger debates on freedom versus safety. GDC faces its own PR challenge: can organizers reassure attendees, or will van Lierop’s alarmism scare people away? Reactions on X are split—some call it alarmist (rightfully), others acknowledge potential risks. It’s amusing drama, but I’m sticking to the facts.

Reality Check: Is the Warning Overblown?

Not everyone buys van Lierop’s intense warning. GDC’s safety protocols are robust, including the 24/7 Safety Helpline and coordination with San Francisco authorities, per VentureBeat. Canadian government travel advisories caution increased U.S. border scrutiny but don’t ban travel, per Travel.gc.ca. There are no widespread reports confirming Canadians are targeted for their politics or digital history, per recent CBC News updates.

Industry voices on X and GameRant argue van Lierop’s “wipe your phones” advice could unnecessarily alarm developers, calling it a “worst-case scenario” with limited evidence. It’s not risk-free, but this feels like an exaggerated warning.

Can GDC 2025 Overcome This Drama?

Van Lierop’s comments aren’t official GDC guidance, but they’re loud. Canadian devs must decide: brave potential risks for the networking value or stay safely at home. U.S. policies might tighten, but targeting devs for online views feels exaggerated.

Hinterland’s stance could evolve, but for now, it highlights tech diplomacy tensions—or perhaps an overreaction. Can GDC 2025 proceed smoothly, or will border drama overshadow it?

I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time game developers overreacted, would it?

Your Turn: Share Your Thoughts

Is van Lierop’s warning justified or just paranoia? How might this impact GDC 2025? Share your take below or on X @DREZZEDNews—I’m here for the facts, laughs, and your honest opinions.

News compiled by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B. D/REZZED Gaming News is part of Clownfish TV. Subscribe to our newsletter at http://drezzed.substack.com

D/REZZED provides Balanced and Based Gaming, Pop Culture, and Paranormal News. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of hosts, editors, other contributors, affiliates, sponsors, or advertisers.

Sources / Hat Tip:

• Base post: @Grummz, X Post ID 1899558884219719933, March 11, 2025 (originally LinkedIn post by Raphael van Lierop); includes exact quotes.

• GDC 2025 details: VentureBeat, “GDC 2025 Event Will Celebrate How Games Connect the World,” January 26, 2025.

• U.S.-Canada tensions: CBC News, “Increased U.S. Border Scrutiny of Canadians,” 2024 archives; The Washington Post, “U.S. Border Policy Changes,” 2024; NorfolkToday.ca, “Online Streaming Act Strains U.S.-Canada Relations,” January 23, 2025.

• Hinterland background: Raphael van Lierop’s LinkedIn profile, Polygon, “The Long Dark’s Success,” 2023.

• Published on March 12, 2025.