2020 has had a profound impact on businesses on the global game development ecosystem, leaving many to adjust to the realities of communicating and collaborating virtually. For our event organizers, having the benefit of time gave us the ability to “get it right” — providing many opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing that yielded positive business results.
We are excited to share that we successfully delivered an unprecedented virtual event with XDS20 Adapt on Oct 27-30!
XDS Connect Milestones
- Attendance from 42 countries representing 16 time zones
- Nearly 2,000 confirmed meetings via XDS Connect, presented by Virtuos
- 60+ sessions delivered around the clock from 50 industry pros
- 26,000+ hours of attendee usage in XDS Connect over 4 weeks
- Over 500 XDS Welcome Kits shipped to attendees around the globe
An understandably energized Chris Wren — Chair of the XDS Advisory Committee — said,
When we made the decision to go virtual earlier this year, I didn’t imagine the level of innovation and creativity our planning team would bring to fruition. Pushing the envelope allowed us to maintain the quality and spirit attendees and sponsors have come to expect from XDS. We don’t know what will be in store for 2021, but we will exceed expectations regardless of the global conditions!
XDS20 Adapt featured XDS Connect, a proprietary virtual event application allowing attendees to book meetings with new and existing partners, access 60+ hours of presentation content, visit 3D booths, share stories with others through photos or videos and rock the XDS musical soundtrack throughout the week.
What our Attendees are saying
“Even when faced with pandemic conditions, XDS successfully delivered a solid conferencing experience.”
– Jani Savolainen, Remedy Entertainment
“The sense of community was still very strong. I don’t think any other event could have pulled this off without the loyalty the audience has and also the drive that the organisers put in to make it feel 100% full-fat.”
– Tim Wilson, Atomhawk
XDS is the event of the year. It is laser focused on ensuring that devs and service providers are able to find one another and have productive conversations. The result is increased intelligence that helps us get stronger as a company and as a team.”
– Lauren Freeman, Electronic Arts
“XDS Adapt takes the crown for best online adaptation of a conference! 4 days of complete game business focus, great presentations, brilliant matchmaking, and the possibility to talk with kind and professional people from around the world.”
– Christian Stephan Demény Rasmussen, Vizlab Studios
Congratulations to our 2020 Gary Award winners!
Most Innovative Presentation: Gearbox and Keywords: Successful Co-Development Takes More than Trust
Brian Burleson (Gearbox Software), Jesse Sosa (GearboxSoftware), Chuck Byas (Liquid Development), Royal Sybrandt(Liquid Development), Tara Phillips (Keywords Studios)
Best Table-Topic: ‘And Then There were Two…’ Stories from Opening a Second Studio, presented by Room 8 Studios, Tim Wilson (Atomhawk)
Most Engaged: Juney Dijkstra (SODESCO Publishing), Geoffroy de Nanteuil (Original Force)
Best Outfit: Katie Ites, Zynga
Best Virtual Booth: Room 8 Studio
Unsung Hero: Marcus Richter, Brandlive
Interested in Sponsoring at XDS 2021?
We are already collecting inquiries from companies that would like to activate their brand at XDS 2021. If you want to get ahead of the game, contact us at [email protected]. You will be contacted once we can share with you the exciting ways you can highlight your company at XDS 2021!
Reminisce XDS20 Adapt moments with us! Check out our album and wrap video