External Development Summit
The External Development Summit (XDS) is a four-day event for the video game industry with its first edition held in 2013, with its standard in-person event held 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. 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, Costa Rica and the Philippines. The event traditionally consists of presentations, panel discussions, meeting system, business meetings, an expo and social events. For 2021, XDS hosted a second annual online event in lieu of attendee safety and in following governmental restrictions concerning COVID-19. XDS21 Adapt featured a proprietary event delivery platform, XDS Connect, which facilitated; B2B meetings, delivery of presentations and panels, roundtable sessions, partner showcases, and live chat function. Attendee who registered before  a deadline received a Welcome Kit containing needed items for the event. Notable Components. Presentations and Panels. Presentations and panel discussions make up the educational component of the event. There is a formal submission process for all topics and speakers. The XDS Advisory Committee reviews all submissions and selects finalists for the event program. Past notable speakers have included Peter Moore and Andrea Reimer. Expo. Service providers may participate in an expo to create awareness for their offerings. Expo booths are centrally located at the event, and are designed to express the creativity of each exhibiting company. Charitable Donations. XDS  provides an annual charitable donation to an organization that aligns with the goals and values of the event. Industry Reports. XDS publishes an annual report on the state of external development for the video game industry: