header - copy
SEPT 6-8, VANCOUVER, CANADA

XDS 2023

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

header - copy
SEPT 6-8, VANCOUVER, CANADA

XDS 2023

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

header - copy
SEPT 6-8, VANCOUVER, CANADA

XDS 2023

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

header - copy
SEPT 6-8, VANCOUVER, CANADA

XDS 2023

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

header
SEPT 6-8, VANCOUVER, CANADA

XDS 2023

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

header - copy
SEPT 6-8, VANCOUVER, CANADA

XDS 2023

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

header - copy
SEPT 6-8, VANCOUVER, CANADA

XDS 2023

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

The only annual, international games industry event advancing external development

Registration is Now Open

Established in 2013, External Development Summit (XDS) is the only annual, international games industry event with a primary focus on external development for art, animation, audio, software engineering, QA and localization.

XDS 2022 Speakers

Patrick Klaus

VP, Studio General Manager, Motive, Electronic Arts

Patrick Klaus

Patrick Klaus

Patrick Klaus,

VP, Studio General Manager, Motive, Electronic Arts

Patrick Klaus is Vice President and General Manager for Electronic Arts’ Motive Studio and has over 20 years of experience in the games industry. In 2019, Patrick returned to Electronic Arts after seven years at Ubisoft Quebec, where he led the studio during the release of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Before that, Patrick spent ten years at Electronic Arts in the United Kingdom in various development, operations, and publishing roles. At Motive, Patrick’s mission and passion are building a world-class team focused on creating innovative AAA action games within iconic worlds where every player feels like the hero. The studio is currently working on a Dead Space remake as well as another unannounced project.

    Leah Hoyer

    Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro

    Leah Hoyer

    Leah Hoyer

    Leah Hoyer, Studio GM & VP, Creative

    Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro

    Leah Hoyer is the GM and Vice President of Creative for Wizards of the Coast’s New IP Studio. She has developed and produced television series, video games, and interactive experiences for some of the world’s most beloved entertainment companies (Disney, Xbox, Telltale Games, Bungie) for over twenty years. She is a recognized expert in interactive storytelling and franchise development across various media. She is passionate about supporting diverse voices in entertainment and working to make everyone feel that gaming is for them.

      Joe Nickolls

      Timbre Games Studio

      Joe Nickolls

      Joe Nickolls

      Joe Nickolls, Co-Founder & Managing Director

      Timbre Games Studio

      Joe Nickolls is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Timbre Games Studio, bringing with him over 22 years of experience in AAA Video Game development. Along with a passion for diversity of people and thought, Joe brings a sense of humour and community to the Vancouver market and is driven to set up a centre of excellence in gaming entertainment.

      Most recently Joe was Vice President and GM of Maxis - Electronic Arts, leading the Sims team to record breaking results. Joe has worked at some of the biggest gaming companies in the world like Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Capcom, and has overseen some of the largest gaming franchises in the industry including FIFA, NHL, The Sims, SimCity, Puzzle Fighter, Dead Rising and countless others. Joe is committed to building Timbre into a new kind of studio for Vancouver, with a team of some of the best leaders in the industry. Timbre’s focus is AAA games, diversity, inclusion and equity for all.

      Tattooed, besuited and a fan of French Bulldogs, Joe is an early adopter, coffee snob, average skier, & usually the tallest guy in the room.

        Shiew Yeu Loh

        Amber Studio

        Shiew Yeu Loh

        Shiew Yeu Loh

        Shiew Yeu Loh, Art Executive Producer

        Amber Studio

        Shiew Yeu Loh joined Amber Studio in May this year as their Art Executive Producer to help with Blockchain Game and NFT Art Production. She will be providing mentorship to the art team as well as coaching them about process, tools and pipeline. A game industry veteran, she started as a texture artist, a generalist and a producer in 2004 before working at Electronic Arts as the Senior External Development Artist for 14 years. During her time at the Sims, Shiew Yeu worked on Sims Nintendo Wii, Sims 3, Sims Medieval, Sims Online Store, Sims Mobile and Sims 4. In 2020, she moved onto Pocket Gems as an Art Manager to oversee the mobile game War Dragon by working with the dev team, art leadership and outsourcing vendors. She was also in charge of implementing diversity and inclusion content into their character library. Shiew Yeu has been a speaker at various game industry conferences regarding being a mother in the game industry as well as topics that center around diversity and inclusion.

          Matt Regnier

          Apple

          Matt Regnier

          Matt Regnier

          Matt Regnier, Senior R+D Content Outsourcing Technical Artist

          Apple

          Matt has spent his 15+ year career furthering his passion for exdev across multiple games and software studios. He continues to promote cross team collaboration while leading, mentoring, and coaching teams to improve all aspects of external production.

            Patrick Klaus

            VP, Studio General Manager, Motive, Electronic Arts

            Patrick Klaus

            Leah Hoyer

            Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro

            Leah Hoyer

            Joe Nickolls

            Timbre Games Studio

            Joe Nickolls

            Shiew Yeu Loh

            Amber Studio

            Shiew Yeu Loh

            Matt Regnier

            Apple

            Matt Regnier

            Stay updated on XDS news

            What Members
            are saying

            Alina Obukhovska

            The most amazing industry event! If you are looking for a strong, business focused conference, you must be here next year.

            Alina Obukhovska

            Head of Business Development, Volmi - a Virtuos Studio
            Scott Humphries

            It’s our first year at XDS and I can confirm the hype is real! XDS is an incredibly focused, productive and valuable conference for anyone looking to sell or buy game development services.

            Scott Humphries

            Head of Product Development, Amber
            Matt Regnier

            XDS has been a true extension to my professional work family. Where else can you receive feedback and validation from your peers while having to learn from mentors? Here’s to another 10 years of XDS!

            Matt Regnier

            Senior R&D Technical Artist, Apple
            Summer O’Brien

            This is where community is made and the industry progresses.

            Summer O’Brien

            Director, Product Management, Riot Games
            Jason Schklar

            Wow. What an amazing experience. Lots of warmth, sharing, and all around generosity. It's so nice to meet with potential clients without having to "sell". Focus more on getting to know each other, figuring out if there is alignment, and developing long term relationships. Look forward to bringing my co-founders next year.

            Jason Schklar

            Founder, Game & UX Consultant, UX is Fine!
            Jordon Batura

            I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the External Development process by attending panels from both veteran Service Providers and Client Developers; having that combination of perspectives proved incredibly valuable.

            Jordon Batura

            Outsourcing Manager, WIMO Games

            Latest Blogs &
            News Events

            XDS 2023 Insights Report on External Dev Now Available!Mar
            30th
            Knowledge | News

            XDS 2023 Insights Report on External Dev Now Available!

            We are incredibly excited to release this year’s XDS Insights Report on External Development The report is i...

            Read More
            XDS Wins Most Outstanding Virtual Event AwardOct
            17th
            News

            XDS Wins Most Outstanding Virtual Event Award

            XDS recently won the Most Outstanding Virtual Event in Canada for XDS21 Adapt, awarded by Canadian Special Eve...

            Read More