XDS Podcast

Hosted by External Development Summit (XDS)

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Latest episode

Apr 2025

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About the show

Interested in gaining knowledge and expertise in the games industry? This podcast explores the latest insights into external development in the areas of Art, Co-development, Audio, QA, and Localization across all platforms. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders who are shaping the future of video game development. Published monthly. External Development Summit (XDS) is the only annual, international games industry event with a primary focus on external development for art, animation, audio, software engineering, QA, and localization.

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21 recent

April 14, 2025Episode 211 hr 11 min

XDS24 | Best Practices in Co-Development: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

In this live recording from their XDS24 presentation, Jay Arrera, Production Director at Pipeworks (Developer), and Jay Minn, Senior Technical Producer at Wizards of the Coast (Publisher), share what worked—and what didn’t—in their recent collaboration on Magic: Spellslingers and throughout their careers.Stay tuned after the presentation as Philip Dennison, Senior Outsourcing Producer Psyonix and XDS Advisory Committee Member, joins the Jays for a deeper dive in the Q&A session.In this episode, Jay & Jay cover:A framework for setting up co-dev projects for success (without starting a war)How Producers from Developers and Publishers can work together, not against each otherPractical tips for encouraging collaboration across Engineering, Art, Design, and QA teamsHilarious, anonymized examples of what happens when people don’t play nicePodcast episode presented by Mineloader StudiosConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

February 25, 2025Episode 2049 min

XDS24 | People Power: How an Emphasis on Individuals Builds Stronger Collaborations

In this session recorded live at XDS 2024, Nicole West, Co-Founder and Head of Operations at West Studio, shares her insights on the transformative impact of recognizing and nurturing individual talent within creative teams. Drawing from her rich experience across video games, animation, and feature films, Nicole explores how prioritizing personal strengths can lead to more innovative, sustainable, and cohesive collaborations.Stay tuned after the presentation as David Lam, Executive Producer at Netease and XDS Advisory Committee member, joins Nicole for an insightful conversation about the inspiration behind her approach to leadership and collaboration.Podcast episode presented by Mineloader StudiosConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

January 22, 2025Episode 1936 min

XDS 24 | Seizing Opportunities for Growth and Change in External Development

Recorded live at XDS 2024, this episode brings together a powerhouse panel to explore the future of external development in gaming. The panel shares powerful insights into fostering stability and highlights the transformative potential of external development. Their conversation leaves us not only with a clear view of today’s challenges but also with optimism about the opportunities ahead.Thank you our panelists:Sam Carlisle – Co-Founder, XDS Spark; XDS Advisory CommitteeDave Sanderson – Director of Production (ExDev), Scopely; XDS Advisory CommitteeCarl Schmidt – Senior Director, ExDev, Zynga; XDS Advisory CommitteeAnna Kozlova – CEO, Room 8 GroupPodcast episode presented by Mineloader StudiosConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

December 18, 2024Episode 1857 min

XDS24 | Bridging Cultures: Learning from Cross-Cultural Partnerships in External Development

In this episode, Juney Dijkstra, Operations Director at XDI, Electronic Arts, moderates a thought-provoking panel discussion recorded at XDS 2024. The panel dives into the nuances of cross-cultural partnerships, exploring key topics such as introductory meetings, negotiation, relationship management, and conflict resolution. Our expert panelists share diverse perspectives drawn from their unique cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. Through a mix of humorous and heartfelt stories, they shed light on the many approaches to global business. This episode offers practical tips and valuable insights to help you navigate and succeed in the multifaceted world of international game development collaborations. Thank you to our panelists:Juney Dijkstra, Operations Director, XDI, Electronic ArtsAndreza de Souza Rocha, Business Development Lead, Airship InteractiveMarla Rausch, CEO/Founder, Animation VertigoKarin Bruér, Senior External Development Manager, Remedy EntertainmentYoyo Wu, Development Director, Electronic ArtsThank you to Walter de Torres, Founding Partner of Pixel Mafia, and XDS Advisory Committee member for introducing this episode. Watch the presentation Podcast episode presented by Mineloader StudiosConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

November 25, 2024Episode 171 hr 3 min

Paige Bailey | XDS24 Fireside Keynote

Tune in to an insightful fireside chat featuring Paige Bailey, Engineering Lead for GenAI Developer Experience at Google, and host Joe Nickolls, CEO of Timbre Games Studio. Paige has a deep understanding of the generative AI landscape, having previously served as an applied machine learning engineer at Microsoft and GitHub, and a product lead for Google’s PaLM v2 and Gemini models. Paige is passionate about making cutting-edge AI technology accessible, and empowering developers to build the next generation of innovative applications.Don’t miss this one-on-one discussion with Paige covering all things technology, AI, equity, diversity and inclusion, and Paige’s forward looking thoughts on the games industry.Watch the video presentation Thank you to our wonderful show host for introducing this presentation:Nikki Roth, Senior Technical Artist at Google and XDS Advisory Committee member. Podcast episode presented by Mineloader StudiosConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

October 29, 2024Episode 1659 min

Marc-Alexis Côté | XDS24 Fireside Keynote

Tune in to this engaging executive fireside chat featuring Marc-Alexis Côté, VP & Executive Producer at Ubisoft, as he shares valuable insights on the games industry with Joe Nickolls, CEO of Timbre Games Studio. Marc-Alexis discusses his career journey, the evolution of today’s gaming landscape, and the crucial role of external development in driving innovation and success.With a diverse 19-year tenure at Ubisoft, Marc-Alexis has held a multitude of roles within Ubisoft ranging from Engineering, to Creative Direction, to Producing and now VP Executive Producer of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. His Masters degree in Software Engineering and experience in creative roles give him a fresh view on game production which is reflected in the variety of titles he’s worked on, notably on the Prince of Persia, Immortals Fenyx Rising and the Assassin’s Creed franchises.Thank you to our wonderful show host for introducing this presentation:Isabelle Bismuth, XDS Director of Partnerships, CoDev and OutsourcingUbisoft and XDS Advisory Committee member. Podcast episode presented by Mineloader StudiosWatch the YouTube presentationConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

August 6, 2024Episode 1545 min

SPECIAL | Women@XDS - Amplifying women’s voices in the External Development Community

Welcome to this special inaugural episode of the Women@XDS, where we unite and amplify women's voices in the external development community.Join Carla Rylance, Caroline Calaway, Nikki Roth, and Tara Phillips as they share their inspiring journeys as women in external development post-pandemic, celebrate the trailblazing women who have shaped our industry, and offer empowering tips for making the most of XDS as a female-identifying attendee. Our mission is to elevate and amplify women's voices, build strong support networks, and foster an inclusive community that sparks meaningful conversations and drives impactful change at XDS and beyond. Tune in and be part of this exciting movement to create a supportive, thriving environment for women in external development.Thank you to our panelists for sharing their valuable insights! Caroline Calaway, XDS Advisory Committee MemberCarla Rylance, Head of External Production, Behaviour Interactive and Chair, XDS Advisory CommitteeNikki Roth, Staff UX Designer, Google Labs, Chair of Women@Labs, XDS Advisory Committee MemberTara Phillips, Art Service Line Director, Keywords StudiosConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

July 15, 2024Episode 1445 min

XDS Ignite 2024 | Strategic Outreach: Navigating from Communication to Production in External Dev

During XDS Ignite 2024, Harish Rao, Manager of Outsource Art & Concept at Sony PlayStation, led a panel discussion on the effective transition from initial communication to production in external development. During the session, industry leaders provided insights on overcoming challenges such as timezone mix-ups and policy misunderstandings. The discussion emphasized the importance of transparency, seamless integration, and cultural alignment for successful collaborations. Additionally, it highlighted the qualities that clients seek in vendors, such as diverse portfolios, scalability, and strong security measures. This discussion is a valuable resource for anyone interested in improving their partnerships in external development.Thank you to our wonderful show host!Anna Berdnyk, Head of Business Development, Room 8 GroupThe presentation was delivered at XDS Ignite 2024, an annual event that unites a peer group of Developers/Publishers to build a network, address common challenges, and incubate ideas for the main XDS event in September.Watch the YouTube presentationConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

June 19, 2024Episode 1334 min

XDS Ignite 2024 | Creating an Environment for Effective Communication

At XDS Ignite 2024, Shiew Yeu Loh, Senior Outsourcing Manager at Riot Games, delivered an insightful presentation on cultivating effective communication environments, particularly between Western and non-Western teams. Shiew Yeu discusses significant cultural differences: Western teams prioritize open discussions and individual contributions, whereas non-Western teams emphasize group harmony and hierarchical structure. Shiew Yeu offers practical advice such as empowering team members, maintaining alignment, fostering proactive engagement, and nurturing trust. Her discussion underscores the importance of cultural understanding in optimizing global team management within the gaming industry.The presentation was delivered at XDS Ignite 2024, an annual event that unites a peer group of Developers/Publishers to build a network, address common challenges, and incubate ideas for the main XDS event in September.Watch the YouTube presentationThank you to our wonderful show host!Dave Sanderson, Director of External Development, Phoenix LabsConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

May 21, 2024Episode 1233 min

Lost In Transition: How Outsource Manager Turnover Impacts Devs & Vendors Alike

What makes a great external development manager and why is it so important? Tune in to this podcast episode featuring Tara Phillips, Art Service Line Director at Keywords Studios, as she moderates the September XDS 2023 panel presentation. "Lost In Transition: How Outsource Manager Turnover Impacts Developers and Vendors Alike.” Developers and vendors face many challenges when an Outsource Manager departs. In today’s climate, we are seeing even higher rates of mobility and attrition in these roles, which has become more prevalent due to industry layoffs and game cancellations. The discussion digs into the reasons behind this mobility, the risks and impacts that arise when this role turns over, and ideas on how to help mitigate these risks on both sides of the equation. The panel explores possibilities for mitigating project disruption, emphasizing the need for collaboration between developers and vendors in addressing this issue. Watch the YouTube presentationThank you to our wonderful show host!Caroline Calaway, Senior Game Producer, XDev Workforce, Riot GamesConnect with us! Email us at info@xdsummit.comJoin us LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us instagram @xdsummit Visit our XDS website to learn more.XDS Spark Learn about our new B2B platform for creative industries.Thanks for listening!

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