Each year at the XDS Wrap Party, we close out the week by recognizing the incredible people, studios, and initiatives that made their mark on the external development community. The Gary Awards — named after our iconic mascot — are a lighthearted yet meaningful tradition, shining a spotlight on innovation, collaboration, and the spirit of XDS.
The 2025 Gary Awards, brought to you by XDS Spark, continued this tradition in style — honoring those who inspired us, challenged us, and made XDS 2025 unforgettable.
Here are your 2025 Gary Award winners:
🏆 Top Service Provider
This award recognizes the service provider that has gone above and beyond to support developers, foster collaboration, and deliver outstanding work across projects.
Winner: Liquid Development
🏆 Best Client
This category honors the developer or publisher that has demonstrated exemplary collaboration, clear communication, and true partnership in working with external teams.
Winner: CD Projekt Red
🏆 Most Engaging Exhibitor Booth
This award celebrates the exhibitor booths that didn’t just showcase services, but created an experience — sparking conversation, curiosity, and community.
Winners – It’s a Tie!
- UX is Fine
- GoodName
🏆 Most Innovative Presentation
This award goes to the presentation that pushed boundaries, challenged thinking, and offered fresh insights for the community.
Winner: Yann LeTensorer for “Reshaping Game Content Creation through Modding, GenAI, and External Development.”
🏆 Best XDS Table Topic
Table Topics are the heart of peer-to-peer learning at XDS. This award recognizes the host who fostered the most engaging, insightful, and collaborative conversation.
Winner: Rikki Vitello for “New Vendor Engagements: Setting Your Partnerships up for Success.”
🏆 Social Media Star
This category honours the attendee who captured the XDS spirit online — sharing moments, building connections, and spreading the word.
Winner: Rory Madden (JoyDrop) — for keeping the XDS community buzzing with energy across social channels.
🏆 Best Dancer
Because what would XDS be without a dance floor moment? This award recognizes the attendee(s) who lit up the party with their moves at the Thursday night celebration.
Winners: Frederik Fusager & Silas Amdi (Mood Visuals)
🏆 Unsung Hero – Amir Satvat
Perhaps the most meaningful Gary Award, the Unsung Hero celebrates someone who has gone above and beyond for the external development community — often behind the scenes, but always leaving an impact.
Winner: Amir Satvat
🎉 Congratulations to All Our Winners!
From booths that inspired, to talks that sparked ideas, to dance moves we’ll never forget — the Gary Awards are a reminder of what makes XDS special: our people. Thank you to everyone who participated, nominated, and celebrated with us.
We can’t wait to see what magic unfolds at XDS 2026 at the Vancouver Convention Centre — and who will walk away with a Golden Gary next year!