External Development Summit (XDS) Vancouver Canada – meet RetroStyle Games

Content Manager at RetroStyle Games | Sep 20, 2024

External Development Summit (XDS) is an annual video game convention in Vancouver. The event focused on external game development. It covers areas like art, animation, audio, co-development, quality assurance, and localization.

XDS 2024, held in Vancouver from September 3–6, is special. Because it brings together global AAA studios and experts. Key speakers – professionals from Amazon Games, Wildlife Studios, West Studio, and Riot Games. It’s a platform that provides the perfect environment for face-to-face meetings between service providers and major developers (outsourcing managers). It’s where everyone comes together to discuss future outsourcing plans between studios that typically only connect online.

XDS Event Details

XDS Event Details	Information
Start Date	September 3, 2024 to September 6, 2024
Event Category	Conference, Networking Meeting
Type of Product	Electronic games, Audio, Software, Games, Leisure, Entertainment
Frequency	Annual
Venue	Parq Vancouver, 39 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0R3, Canada + Google Map
Event Tags	External Development, International Games Industry, Game Animation, Software Engineering, XDS Conf 2024, Gaming Technology Conference 2024, Gaming Convention Vancouver, Game Art Outsourcing
Registration	xdsummit.com
Region	North America
Type	Onsite
Content	B2B

Frequently Asked Questions

XDS Summit is where professionals in the gaming industry gather. They share insights and innovations.
More details about it:

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What is the XDS Summit?

The External Development Summit (XDS) is an annual four-day event for the video game industry. It focuses on external development in art, animation, audio, software engineering, QA and localization. XDS attracts companies like Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft, and international delegates.

When and where does XDS 2024 take place?

XDS 2024 takes place from September 3 to 6, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The venue is Parq Vancouver at 39 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC.

Who attends XDS?

XDS attracts professionals from top gaming companies. Amazon Games, Wildlife Studios, West Studio, Riot Games, and RetroStyle Games. It brings together AAA studios, industry leaders, and outsourcing studios. They all build network on different projects or share their knowledge of game development.

How do I register for XDS 2024?

The tickets are already sold out. For the next XDS, fill out the registration form on the official XDS website. XDS is a professionals-only event. Attendees must work for for a developer, publisher, or country representative. Or they may provide services in the gaming or creative industries.

What does XDS Connect offer?

XDS Connect offers a platform for B2B networking. Attendees can set up meetings, view sessions. They can also chat with others, and access exhibitor details. It also provides digital business cards.

Can I present or exhibit at XDS?

Yes, you can sponsor or exhibit at XDS. The event offers valuable sponsorship opportunities. It includes exhibitor booths and curated social events. It’s done for optimal exposure and engagement with your target market. Visit the XDS website for more information on how to become a sponsor.

Does XDS provide support for travel and accommodations?

Yes, XDS provides support for travel and accommodations. Attendees receive preferred rates at on-site hotels. XDS can also provide an invitation letter for visa applications upon proof of registration. Check their website for more details.

Personal experience of RetroStyle Games company at XDS event

Our team took part in this event as an outsourcer. We presented Ukrainian game development on XDS. RetroStyleGames were proud to be there. We connected with other game devs, local Vancouver gaming companies and publishers worldwide. Our team showed works in 2D and 3D game art and animation along with talks on the future of game development. We pointed out the importance of outsourcing in this industry and why any game creator now needs companies like this one.

Before the event, the XDS Connect platform itself confirmed meetings before they started, and made reservations. However, it is worth bearing in mind that at such a large-scale event, it is easy for people to get off schedule.

At the Vancouver gaming expo, we brought a tablet to show off our 2D and 3D game art. To get through the long days, the team made sure to have water and snacks on hand. There was little downtime between meetings. Occasionally, we had brief breaks – just enough to catch our breath before the next meeting. Some people even scheduled early morning meetings at 8:30 AM because their schedules were completely packed during the day.

Everyone at the event was friendly and open to talking. Even if someone was late, they would still spend a few minutes chatting and exchanging contacts. Specialists learned to take notes during each meeting. It’s done to track who was interested in working with the company, as some people would disappear after the event. Scheduling follow-up online meetings within a week or two helped keep things moving.

XDS gave me the chance to represent Ukraine and talk about the role of outsourcing in the gaming industry. Our team showed dedication to quality in front of Vancouver, other Canadian game devs to build new partnerships.

What documents / permissions do participants need when entering Canada on XDS?

Canada isn’t as simple as it seems when it comes to entry. The process for getting even a visitor visa is long and complicated. However, a confirmation letter from the conference helps, as it proves the trip is for official business.

To save costs, we also hired local people from the US, Canada, England, and Australia. They’re more familiar with the specifics of the area. Plus, having them on the team was a great advantage alongside the manager attending the event.

For a successful meeting at XDS, it’s handy to have a small laptop or tablet to show your art quality. To survive the event, bring water and snacks.

Since all events are booked through XDS’s internal panel, your schedule likely won’t be completely packed. You’ll often have 2-3 hour gaps between client meetings—the perfect time to grab a snack and recharge!

How to make an impression in a face-to-face meeting at XDS with a potential client

There’s no set formula for impressing a potential client at XDS. It all depends on what their company does and what we wrote when setting up the meeting. Some meetings we set up by positioning ourselves as a “super outsourcing company with 15 years on the market, partnering with Zynga, Ubisoft, and Disney.”

It’s important to take at least 10-15 minutes to learn about the company beforehand, even though time can be tight during the event. Also, have all the background of your previous conversations ready before the meeting.

Networking at these events is easy. Even if someone is late to their meeting, they’ll usually spare a few minutes to chat and exchange contacts. From the experience, the more laid-back someone is during the conversation, the more likely we’ll work together. Although it might just be a random pattern with a small sample size.

Useful tips for face-to-face meetings at XDS

Send a Follow-Up Reminder

Many people forget about meetings, especially if they were scheduled two weeks before the event. It’s a good idea to follow up a day before with a simple “Hey, are we still on?”

Confirm the Meeting Place in Advance

Finding a meeting spot at the event can be tricky, so it’s helpful to confirm the location in advance to avoid confusion.

Focus on Engagement, Not Immediate Deals

Nobody talks about pre-payments or signing contracts right away. Conversations at these events start more indirectly. If someone isn’t interested, they might disappear afterward, but that doesn’t mean you’re a bad or uninteresting service provider.

The key is to spark their interest. If you do, they’ll reach out to you later. Focus on engaging them during the meeting, and trust that the follow-up will come naturally if you’ve made a strong impression.