XDS 2026
Bringing together developers, service providers, and industry leaders from around the world
to build partnerships, share insights, and shape the future of sustainable game development.
DEVELOPER PASSES ON SALE NOW
The Global Hub for External Development
For over a decade, XDS has been the leading event focused exclusively on external development for the video games industry.
Each year, hundreds of developers, publishers, service providers, middleware companies, and industry leaders gather in Vancouver to discuss best practices, discover new partners, and build the relationships that power game production around the world.
Whether you’re looking to outsource, co-develop, scale your team, drive efficiencies, or better understand the evolving external development landscape, XDS is where those conversations happen.
Why Attend XDS?
BUILD VALUABLE PARTNERSHIPS
Meet the companies and decision-makers who can help bring your projects to life.
GLOBAL INDUSTRY NETWORK
Connect with professionals from around the world representing every discipline of game development.
LEARN FROM INDUSTRY LEADERS
Gain practical insights through panels, presentations, roundtables, and workshops.
STAY AHEAD OF INDUSTRY TRENDS
Explore the latest research, data, and best practices shaping external development.
DESIGNED FOR MEANINGFUL BUSINESS
Unlike broad industry conferences, XDS is built specifically to foster productive conversations and long-term partnerships.
900
ATTENDEES
400
COMPANIES
55
COUNTRIES
3,500
MEETINGS
110
SESSIONS
One Event. Multiple Ways to Attend.
Whether you’re a game developer, service provider, middleware company, investor, or indie studio, XDS offers ticket options designed to help you get the most from the event.
DEVELOPER PASSES
For game developers and publishers seeking partners, services, and industry insights.
INVESTOR PASSES
For investors and funding partners
looking to connect with game developers, explore industry opportunities,
and gain insights into the evolving external development ecosystem.
SERVICE PROVIDER PASSES
For companies offering development services to game creators worldwide.
INDIE PASSES
Making XDS more accessible to emerging studios and independent developers.
EXPLORE TICKET OPTIONSEXPLORE TICKET OPTIONS
XDS 2026 Insights Report Now Available in 10 Languages
Discover the latest trends shaping external development in the language you know best.
Built from 250+ industry perspectives, this year’s report explores how external development partnerships are evolving beyond execution toward stronger coordination, governance, and long-term collaboration. Available in English, Spanish, Chinese and more.
GET YOUR REPORTGET YOUR REPORT
Hotel Room Bookings Are Now Open
Stay just steps from the Vancouver Convention Centre with exclusive attendee rates at our official event hotels.
Rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Our hotel blocks have historically filled well before the event, so we encourage attendees to secure their accommodation early.
BOOK YOUR HOTELBOOK YOUR HOTEL
New Buyer Ticket Categories Introduced
We’re expanding access to XDS with several new ways for industry professionals to attend.
New for 2026: the Indie Buyer Pass, Companion Buyer Pass, and Investor Pass. These new pathways help welcome more members of the game development ecosystem while preserving the balanced community that makes XDS unique.
EXPLORE TICKET OPTIONSEXPLORE TICKET OPTIONS
Meet XDS Spark
Prepare to expand your XDS experience!
XDS Spark is a premium B2B platform connecting Buyers with Service Providers, providing a one-stop-shop to meet production goals, and grow your business. With an always-on, global database, you will be able to meet business and production goals in between XDS events.
Be visible on Spark!
Get started with a complimentary Foundational membership!
XDS SPARK SIGN UP
Don’t miss out on release updates or tips on how to stand out on this new platform by signing up for the XDS Spark newsletter!
XDS SPARK NEWSLETTER