Sold out Event Concludes Successfully with New Elements
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 30, 2019 – The only annual international video games industry event with a primary focus on external development for art, animation, audio, co-development, QA and localization, XDS concludes its seventh annual event with successful new elements held at Parq Vancouver on Sept. 4-6, 2019.
This year’s sold out event showcased 44 sponsors and exhibitors including AbraGames, which represents several Brazilian studios developing games, and whose very own Consul General of Brazil, Ambassador Silvio Albuquerque paid a visit to XDS. Executive Manager of Brazil Games, Eliana Russi says,
Having sponsored in the past 4 years, we are always excited to bring our local Brazilian companies and introduce them to some of the largest developers globally. We had 10 companies representing, and it was an honor to have our Consul General visit and witness our companies on the international stage.
Innovative new segments and enhancements were also included in the summit. For example, the XDS Table-Topics, and a focus on Diversity and Inclusion, sponsored by Google AR/VR.
Google Senior Technical Artist, Nikki Roth elaborates,
External Development is a human industry that relies on thoughtful collaboration, and diversity and inclusion are key to building that into our partnerships. XDS was a great platform to spread this awareness. Attendees were able to put their names on our D&I wall and commit to how they will be champions in their organization.
Electronic Arts’ External Development Manager, Caroline Calaway moderated a Table-Topic on Predicting the Future of Game Co-Development. She says,
Participants from both sides, developers and service providers, were able to share valuable insights that, I believe, will help move the future of co-development forward in a meaningful way. It was a pleasure being able to moderate this discussion.
XDS 2019, which was the fourth consecutively sold out event in its seven-year history, was attended by over 670 delegates (11.7% increase year over year) with a near 50/50 split between developers and service providers, from 45 countries.
As XDS organizers prepare to plan next year’s event, XDS Advisory Committee Chair, Chris Wren, states
I am elated to reflect on what our team accomplished with this year’s edition. There is an inherent risk to adding new elements, but everyone responded positively to the changes we made to enhance the attendee and sponsor experience. I can’t wait to begin planning for XDS 2020.
About XDS
External Development Summit (XDS) is the only annual, international video games industry event with a primary focus on external development for art, animation, audio, co-development, QA and localization. A professionals-only event, XDS brings together a niche community of game developers and publishers, vendors, middleware providers, and trade organizations to advance the industry through collaboration, sharing of best practices, networking and the delivery of a high-calibre, educational program.
XDS 2019 Wrap Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nt0rKMvIHk
XDS Newsletter Sign-Up: https://xdsummit.com/newsletter-signup/
2019 Highlight Photos: