XP Game Developer
Summit 2021

April 8, 2021

The XP Game Developer Summit 2021 is a free online alternative to our premium B2B live event. Our online events continue our goal to support industry growth by providing professional development opportunities to expand the skills and network of industry professionals. This year we’ll be hosting a series of free talks viewable on Twitch as well as a free playable game showcase powered by Trail. The games will be playable directly from your browser. Additionally, industry professionals from around the world will be able to connect via the MeetToMatch platform through a paid business pass.

XP Share Mentorship Program

Thursday Apr 22, 2-5PM EST

Become A Mentor Today

XP Share connects working professionals to game design students and is a chance for leaders to give back to their community by providing critique, insight, and resources for personal and professional development. XP Share participants form connections to new talent and give feedback to developing titles in the indie space today.

Thank you to all of our mentors in the past for being so supportive and willing to share their experiences with us.

Location

The mentorship session takes place privately on the XP Game Developer Summit Zoom. Log on as a guest or create an account.

Testimonials

92% of mentees would recommend XP Share based on our 2020 feedback survey.

The mentorship experience adapted well to being remote, and the system that matches mentors based on mentee interests helped me explore areas of the industry I hadn't been able to see before.

Talking with my mentor was enjoyable as well as quite informative-- I was able to ask him just about anything related to his career as well as my own endeavours as a game designer, and receive thorough feedback on my design process. It was great to get opinions and guidance from a professional, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

How To Get Involved?

Full instructions will be sent via email to volunteers.

Please apply here.
You will receive a confirmation email and a calendar invite to a Zoom call.
Ensure your camera and microphone are working properly prior to the session and log on from 2-5pm EST. We encourage all mentors to stay for the full session.
Each mentor will be assigned a breakout room and students will rotate through the rooms. We will make every effort to pair student interest with a mentor with the corresponding expertise where possible.
Although XP Share is an annual event, if a mentor wishes, they may choose to continue meeting with mentees on a case-by-case basis outside of XP.
A feedback survey will be sent to assess the program shortly after.

Playable Games in Trail

Programming

Business Transactions

Gain access to developers, publishers and investors with our business pass thanks to the MeetToMatch platform. See our confirmed attending publishers and investors here.

XP Game Showcase

A showcase of upcoming indie games with multiple games playable directly in your browser.

Presentations & Workshops

Broadcasted gaming talks and panels on Twitch geared to elevate your career in the industry.

The XP Game Developer Summit will host talks and panels led by mentors in the video game industry. The talks will be broadcast live on our Twitch channel as well as through the MeetToMatch platform. We encourage you to attend the talks live in order to participate in the Q&A sessions after the talks. Check back weekly as we announce more talk and panel information!

APRIL 8, 2021

9:00 AM Leverage WebGL to let audiences play your game demo in a browser

Moderator: Marshal Carper

Panelists: Alexander Hermansson & Willem Demmers

Trail makes it possible to play native games in the browser. Make your game ultra-accessible and viral with the best WebGL player on the market – no sacrifices on performance or quality.

10:00AM Damage Labs : Building supports for marginalized studio founders

Panelists: Kaitlin Tremblay, Jennie Robinson Faber, Izzie Colpitts-Campbell

Join the Damage Labs co-founders in a discussion about how DMG has been working to create a network of social impact games studios in order to support founders from under represented backgrounds become investment ready. Hear about the gaps they are looking to fill with the program, and the barriers that marginalized founders face in becoming financially sustainable as a business as well as their plans to expand the program past it’s current pilot cohort.

11:00AM Why Open or Expand A Gaming Studio In Canada

Moderator: Matthew Walach

Panelists: Aaryn Flynn, Mojdeh Gharbi, Keith Warner, Byron Gaum, Lucile Bousquet

Canada is the 3rd largest contributor to the global gaming economy. With government grants and incentives, Canada offers unique opportunities for entrepreneurs in the gaming industry. Join a panel of experts who recently made big bets in Canada’s gaming industry and discover what opportunities are available.

12:00PM XP Summit Student Pitch Sponsored by Sheridan

XP is proud to host the XP Summit Student Pitch featuring Sheridan College’s 4th year game design students and their capstone projects. Teams of students will pitch their game or project to a panel of judges which will offer critiques and constructive feedback.

1:00PM Gaming As A Teaching Tool

Moderator: Geoffrey Lachapelle

Panelists: Dan Ayoub, Dr. Kristopher Alexander, Dr. Krista-Lee Malone, Dr. Peter Kuling

Video Games are a natural supplement when it comes to modern teaching tools. Join a panel of experts in the education field who see gaming as a unique tool to provide efficient ways for students to learn in the 21st century.

2:00PM State of the Canadian Gaming Industry Panel

Moderator: Carl-Edwin Michel

Panelists: Jayson Hilchie, Chris Ferriera, Mary-Kaye Fraser, Osama Dorias

The Canadian gaming industry has changed and evolved significantly over the last decade. The global pandemic has forced unprecedented changes to those working in the gaming sector across Canada. Join a panel of experts from across the country as they share their insights on what’s changed over the years, where we’re at after a year ravaged by a pandemic and what’s still needed in our industry.

3:00PM XP Summit Student Pitch Sponsored by Sheridan