External_Development_Summit
The External Development Summit (XDS) is a three-day event for the video game industry with its first edition held in 2013,[1] and hosted annually in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The summit was established in order to share video game development best practices in the areas of 2D and 3D graphics, Animation, Software Engineering, Audio, Quality Assurance and Localization. Members of the XDS Advisory Committee are responsible for the design and delivery of the event.
The event receives hundreds of attendees annually, representing 45 countries in addition to local Vancouver companies.[2] Notable companies that have attended XDS include Microsoft Studios, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Activision, Ubisoft and Riot Games. XDS receives international delegations from countries such as Brazil,[3] Costa Rica[4] and the Philippines.[5] The event traditionally consists of presentations, panel discussions, meeting system, business meetings, an expo and social events.
XDS hosted its 10th annual event in 2022, hosting 700+ international attendees. XDS 2022 featured a propriety event platform, XDS Connect, which facilitated B2B meetings and a calendar function that helped attendees manage their week.