Didimo attended XDS 2024 in Vancouver, where the focus was on outsourcing for game studios and service providers. Positioned as a key middleware solution, Didimo showcased Popul8, our automated character production pipeline, designed to streamline workflows for both studios and outsourcing partners. With an emphasis on sustainability and global connections, XDS offered invaluable insights and networking, helping studios and providers alike explore efficient, scalable 3D character solutions.
Last week, Didimo had the pleasure of attending the External Development Summit (XDS) in Vancouver—a unique event focused on building connections between game development studios and outsourcing partners. XDS is where studios and external developers come together to share insights, forge partnerships, and explore solutions that streamline production and elevate creative collaboration. This year’s summit was packed with energy, purpose, and a wealth of ideas for enhancing efficiency in game development.
Connecting Studios and Outsourcing Through Technology
For Didimo, XDS was the perfect environment to showcase Popul8, our automated 3D character production pipeline. As a middleware solution designed to optimize workflows, Popul8 sits at the intersection of studio needs and outsourced production capabilities. Popul8 provides both studios and outsourcing teams with powerful tools to create high-quality, game-ready 3D characters that adhere to unique art styles and technical specifications—while saving time and reducing manual labor.
XDS highlighted the essential role that middleware like Popul8 can play in external development, helping streamline character creation through automation and ensuring consistent, efficient results across projects. For outsourcing partners, having a solution like Popul8 allows them to scale faster, deliver characters more easily, and meet the specific style and quality requirements of studios. In return, studios gain access to scalable, reliable content production that aligns with their creative direction and pipeline needs.
Sustainability Takes Center Stage
Sustainability was a key theme throughout XDS, from workshops to discussions around resource management in game development. As game production ramps up, efficient, sustainable practices are more important than ever. Popul8’s automation helps reduce the resource-intensive tasks associated with character creation, supporting studios and outsourcing partners in adopting a more sustainable approach. At XDS, it was inspiring to see the industry uniting around these goals and finding practical solutions to reduce environmental impact.
Highlights from XDS: Community, Connection, and Collaboration
XDS offered invaluable networking opportunities, and we were thrilled to connect with familiar faces from other events, like GDC, Develop, and Gamescom. Attendees included some of the industry’s most skilled outsourcing professionals, studio leads, and technology innovators, each bringing their own unique experience and perspectives to the conversation.
“It felt so focused and meaningful with each moment filled with meeting incredible people and learning from the best in the biz,” shared Raphael Benros, Product Marketer at Didimo. “XDS reminded me how cool it is that we can bring our global experiences together in this industry.”
Special thanks to JALI Research Inc., Blackbird Interactive, and Virtuos for making our time in Vancouver extra memorable.
Looking Ahead: More Collaborations with Popul8
As we return from XDS with new connections and inspiration, we’re more excited than ever about the potential of Popul8 to support studios and outsourcing partners in creating high-quality 3D characters with ease. Whether you missed us at XDS or are just curious about our automated character production pipeline, we’d love to connect and set up a demo to show you what Popul8 can do.
Here’s to more innovation, collaboration, and sustainable solutions in game development!
