Connecting indies for success

September 27 • Vancouver, Canada: XP Indie Biz Connect

Join West Coast video game industry professionals for a day of networking and curated talks designed to help drive indie business success.

XP Indie Biz Connect is a one-day event focused on the business of indie game development, connecting attendees with the people and knowledge needed to succeed in a competitive industry.

Produced by XP Gaming Inc, in partnership with Signals presented by DigiBC & VIFF, this indie-centric event unites developers, business leaders, publishers, investors, and industry experts for a day of networking and knowledge-sharing on the essential aspects of the video game business, including funding, marketing, game design, and post-mortems.

EVENT DETAILS

  • Location: Microsoft Canada – Vancouver Campus, 858 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC
  • 9am – 12pm | Keynote & Industry Insights

  • 12pm – 1pm | Lunch onsite

  • 1pm – 5pm | Panels, Workshops & B2B

Programming & Speakers

Stay tuned for announcements on our exciting lineup of speakers and detailed programming.
Interested in sharing your expert knowledge with indies and helping to drive the industry forward? Click below to apply as a speaker.

Partners

Is your company about supporting indie game developers? Become a partner today! Join us in driving indie business success! To learn more about partnership opportunities, please contact us.

Press & Media Passes

Members of the press and media can apply for exclusive access. Click below to apply for a press pass.

Keynote

Jason Della Rocca

Jason Della Rocca is a game business consultant, investor, funding advisor, and ecosystem strategist. He currently spends the bulk of his time advising game studio founders on funding and product strategy, and advising governments around the world how to better grow/support the success of their regional game development ecosystem.

As the co-founder of Execution Labs, he was a hands-on early stage investor to 25 independent game studios from North America and Europe. In parallel Jason helped launch GamePlay Space, a non-profit hub to support indies and guide them toward business success, whose alumni have generated over $300m in game sales and funding.

Between 2000-09 he served as the executive director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), and was honored for his industry building efforts with the inaugural Ambassador Award at the Game Developers Conference. In 2009, Jason was named to Game Developer Magazine’s “Power50,” a list which profiles 50 of the most important contributors to the state of the game industry. As a sought after expert on the game industry, Jason has lectured at conferences and universities worldwide.

You Must Self-Publish: The Future of Funding Your IP

It’s rough out there. Despite recent indie successes, it is harder than ever to get your IP funded. Publishers, investors, and platforms are shifting the burden of proof that success is possible to the developer. It seems developers need to presumptively self publish in order to build up initial momentum/hype/traction so they can demonstrate to the publishers that their game is worth publishing! On average, publishers sign below 1% of the games they are pitched. What’s a developer to do? Start the self publishing process!

This lecture will cover the current state of indie funding and publishing deals, and make the case that all studios need to start their marketing and community efforts asap. Further, that such efforts are what open the door to more funding and support options.

Beta Lounge: Interactive Digital Media Conference

The Beta Lounge is an exclusive component of the Signals Creative Tech Expo designed to facilitate high-level business-to-business (B2B) interactions and networking opportunities.
Beta Lounge is a dynamic environment for industry professionals, particularly indie video game and XR/VR publishers, to connect, collaborate, and explore new business opportunities in the creative tech industry. Presented in collaboration with XP Gaming, Beta Lounge: Interactive Digital Media Conference promises two days of curated keynotes, panels, mixers and exclusive first look at new-to-market content.

Event & Ticket Info

Why Attend?

  • Gain Expert Insights: Learn from industry leaders about essential topics including funding, marketing, game design, and post-mortems.
  • Network: Connect with developers, business leaders, publishers, and investors.
  • Enhance Your Skills: Participate in sessions designed to provide actionable takeaways for your indie game projects.

Ticket Information

XP Indie Biz Connect Pass

$199 CAD (+ taxes)

Enjoy a full day of world-class programming with a direct focus on the essential business needs of indie game studios. Connect with the industry professionals, publishers, and investors you need to drive your business forward. Lunch and refreshments are provided on site and you’re invited to join us for Happy Hour.

Grants access to:
  • General entry to XP Indie Biz Connect @ Signals
    • Access to:
      • All Programming and Talks
      • Networking with MeetToMatch Access
      • Lunch included
      • Refreshments
      • Happy Hour


Location: Microsoft Canada – Vancouver Campus, 
858 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC

9am – 12pm | Keynote & Industry Insights

12pm – 1pm | Lunch onsite

1pm – 5pm | Panels, Workshops & B2B

6pm | Signals Opening Night Reception (separate ticketed event)

Beta Lounge Attendee Pass

$199 CAD (+taxes)

Beta Lounge @ Signals (SEPT 28): Experience the exclusive component of the Signals Creative Tech Expo designed to foster connections and collaboration among industry leaders, creators, and innovators in the XR and video game sectors. Launched in 2023 as part of Signals’ B2B programming, Beta Lounge offers a unique platform for international delegations, investors, and business professionals to engage in high-level discussions, pitch sessions, and workshops focused on the latest trends and opportunities in interactive digital media.

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WHY ATTEND?

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with top-tier professionals, potential partners, and key stakeholders from around the world.
  • Panels: Participate in specialized sessions to explore co-production possibilities and public funding opportunities, gaining tips and insights on taking products from pitch to publication.
  • Showcasing & User Testing: Present your projects and innovations to an audience of investors, industry experts, and decision-makers.
  • Exclusive Previews: Get a first look at groundbreaking projects and technologies that are shaping the future of XR and gaming.
  • B2B: Access to Meet2Match platform and exclusive networking opportunities.
Grants access to:
  • General entry to Beta Lounge @ Signals and showcase & programming from 10am – 5pm
  • Does not include happy hours or VIP mixers
  • Location: Signals Expo @ The Centre For Digital Media

    Sept. 28: Beta Lounge @ Signals

    Location: Signals Creative Tech Studio – #160 – 577 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC

    10:00 – 11:30 | Keynote: Pitching, Producing & Publishing Indie Games

    11:30 – 13:15 | Open Floor Showcase and User Testing

    13:15 – 14:00 | Lunch Break

    14:00 – 17:00 | Industry Showcase & B2B

    18:00 | B2B Industry Mixer

More details available on the Beta Lounge website.

XP & Beta Lounge Multi-Day Pass

$349 CAD (+taxes)

Grants access to:
  • General entry to XP Indie Biz Connect @ Signals
    • Access to:
      • All Programming and Talks
      • Networking with MeetToMatch Access
      • Lunch included
      • Refreshments
      • Happy Hour
  • General entry to Beta Lounge @ Signals and showcase & programming from 10am – 5pm
  • Does not include happy hours or VIP mixers
SCHEDULE & VENUES
Sept. 27: XP Indie Biz Connect @ Signals

Location: Microsoft Canada – Vancouver Campus, 858 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC

  • 9am – 12pm | Keynote & Industry Insights
  • 12pm – 1pm | Lunch onsite
  • 1pm – 5pm | Panels, Workshops & B2B
  • 7pm | Signals Opening Night Reception (separate ticketed event)
Sept. 28: Beta Lounge @ Signals

Location: Signals Creative Tech Studio – #160 – 577 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC

  • 10:00 – 11:30 | Keynote: Pitching, Producing & Publishing Indie Games
  • 11:30 – 13:15 | Open Floor Showcase and User Testing
  • 13:15 – 14:00 | Lunch Break
  • 14:00 – 17:00 | Industry Showcase & B2B
  • 18:00 | B2B Industry Mixer
More details available on the Beta Lounge website.

Hotel & Accomodations

The Sutton Place Hotel

  • Address: 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver.
  • Contact: Joyce Quinere
  • When contacting for a room booking, please reference DigiBC and Signals 2024.
    The Hotel will provide you with the best available rate.
    Please note The Sutton Place Hotel cannot guarantee availability, so we recommend booking as soon as possible. 

partners

Gold partner

Silver partner

Bronze partners

Key partners

Programming Schedule

House of Sovereigns

  • Caffeination Connection & Welcome Remarks

    -

    Enjoy life-affirming caffeine and snacks to kickstart your day with your fellow industry pros!

  • Scratching the Surface: Early Findings from the First National IDM Profile since 2012

    -

    Kristian Roberts, CEO of Nordicity, will reveal initial findings from the most recent profile of Canada’s interactive digital media industry. It is the first time that the entire IDM industry has been measured since 2012. How has the industry evolved over the last twelve years? What does the data show us about the industry in 2024? Join Kristian as he scratches the surface of this key industry information.

  • You Must Self-Publish: The Future of Funding Your IP

    -

    It’s rough out there. Despite recent indie successes, it is harder than ever to get your IP funded. Publishers, investors, and platforms are shifting the burden of proof that success is possible to the developer. It seems developers need to presumptively self publish in order to build up initial momentum/hype/traction so they can demonstrate to the publishers that their game is worth publishing! On average, publishers sign below 1% of the games they are pitched. What’s a developer to do? Start the self publishing process! This lecture will cover the current state of indie funding and publishing deals, and make the case that all studios need to start their marketing and community efforts asap. Further, that such efforts are what open the door to more funding and support options.

  • Trends and Innovations in the GameDev Market: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in High Tech

    -

  • Lunch

    -

    (served on-site)

  • Networking

    -

    (20 min. Sessions)

  • XP Indie Biz Connect Happy Hour Presented by DLA Piper

    -

    Join us to wrap up an eventful day with a drink and great company!

  • Closing

    -

Finding Your Voice: UBCP/ACTRA Collaboration Station

  • Morning Events in House of Sovereigns

    -

  • Lunch

    -

    (served on-site)

  • Game Changer: The UBCP/ACTRA Low Budget Video Game Agreement Explained

    -

    Learn how you can collaborate with local, union Voice talent on a budget, with UBCP/ACTRA's New Low Budget Video Game Agreement

  • Game Changer: The UBCP/ACTRA Low Budget Video Game Agreement Explained

    -

    Learn how you can collaborate with local, union Voice talent on a budget, with UBCP/ACTRA's New Low Budget Video Game Agreement

  • Influencer Marketing Focused Topic: Twitch Integrations and Audience Interactions

    -

    Deep dive into strategies around designing Twitch integrations and campaigns around audience engagement to lengthen tail of game coverage on Twitch. Reference Cult of the Lamb's Twitch integration success as well as other indies.

  • Marketing From Day One: How to Build Your Marketing Plan Throughout Development

    -

    Don’t leave your marketing until the end of development! Starting marketing early supports game design decisions, strengthens your announcement and launch, organizes timelines, and reduces stress. Marketing Director Tia Young discusses how to build your marketing plan and materials throughout your game’s development using her proven marketing template with examples from RimWorld - Anomaly and RimWorld - Biotech. By the end of the talk, developers will be equipped with powerful tools to create their own plans covering platforms, PR, social media, and more.

  • Key Business Imperatives for Game Studios Today

    -

  • Blurred Realities: Creating Marketing That Brings Your Game To Life

    -

    Crafting marketing and community strategies that turn curious players into zealous fans has never been more challenging and expensive — and more necessary! In this presentation, Steven Messner, PR & Communications Lead of Blackbird Interactive, details campaigns he led for Warframe and Devolver Digital that blurred the lines between reality and fiction, immersing players in these vivid worlds long before they hit play. Through Steven’s insights and learnings, attendees will understand how to leverage their own games’ world, story, and characters to build scalable, more evocative marketing and stronger communities.

  • Closing

    -

Funding Room by CMF

  • Morning Events in House of Sovereigns

    -

  • Lunch

    -

    (served on-site)

  • Path to Funding: Roundtable Discussion

    -

    Learn how to fund your game with in-depth insights and strategies from fellow indie devs, the CMF, and game studio accountants from Insert Coin Accounting. Registering VIA the MeetToMatch platform is the ONLY way to guarantee your spot at the table.

  • Path to Funding: Roundtable Discussion

    -

    Learn how to fund your game with in-depth insights and strategies from fellow indie devs, the CMF, and game studio accountants from Insert Coin Accounting. Registering VIA the MeetToMatch platform is the ONLY way to guarantee your spot at the table.

  • Path to Funding: Roundtable Discussion

    -

    Learn how to fund your game with in-depth insights and strategies from fellow indie devs, the CMF, and game studio accountants from Insert Coin Accounting. Registering VIA the MeetToMatch platform is the ONLY way to guarantee your spot at the table.

  • Is Self-Publishing the Future of Game Marketing? Roundtable

    -

    With the gaming industry’s current economic conditions affecting developer/publisher relations, the decline of traditional platform exclusivity, and a growing shift towards direct-to-consumer models, self-publishing has become a viable alternative for many game developers. Join us for a candid roundtable discussion with industry experts and fellow developers as we delve into the potential of self-publishing as the future of video game marketing.

  • Is Self-Publishing the Future of Game Marketing? Roundtable

    -

    With the gaming industry’s current economic conditions affecting developer/publisher relations, the decline of traditional platform exclusivity, and a growing shift towards direct-to-consumer models, self-publishing has become a viable alternative for many game developers. Join us for a candid roundtable discussion with industry experts and fellow developers as we delve into the potential of self-publishing as the future of video game marketing.

  • Is Self-Publishing the Future of Game Marketing? Roundtable

    -

    With the gaming industry’s current economic conditions affecting developer/publisher relations, the decline of traditional platform exclusivity, and a growing shift towards direct-to-consumer models, self-publishing has become a viable alternative for many game developers. Join us for a candid roundtable discussion with industry experts and fellow developers as we delve into the potential of self-publishing as the future of video game marketing.

  • Closing

    -

Discovery Room

  • Morning Events in House of Sovereigns

    -

  • Morning Events in House of Sovereigns

    -

  • Lunch

    -

    (served on-site)

  • Ask Games Lawyers Anything Roundtable

    -

    Have you been pondering an interesting legal question but haven’t had the opportunity to ask? In that case, please join us for an AMA with experienced (and very friendly!) in-house and external lawyers where you’ll have a chance to ask and discuss legal questions regarding game development. Note it's recommended to register for a session via MeetToMatch to guarantee a spot.

  • Ask Games Lawyers Anything Roundtable

    -

    Have you been pondering an interesting legal question but haven’t had the opportunity to ask? In that case, please join us for an AMA with experienced (and very friendly!) in-house and external lawyers where you’ll have a chance to ask and discuss legal questions regarding game development. Note it's recommended to register for a session via MeetToMatch to guarantee a spot.

  • Ask Games Lawyers Anything Roundtable

    -

    Have you been pondering an interesting legal question but haven’t had the opportunity to ask? In that case, please join us for an AMA with experienced (and very friendly!) in-house and external lawyers where you’ll have a chance to ask and discuss legal questions regarding game development. Note it's recommended to register for a session via MeetToMatch to guarantee a spot.

  • Play & Share

    -

    Gaming is what unites us and we all want to try each other’s work. Bring your laptop to share your work and try others. Super casual - drop in and out as you like.

  • Closing

    -

Speakers

Jason Lepine
CEO
XP Gaming

Loc Dao
CEO
DigiBC

Clara Sia
Business Development & Sr. Influencer Strategist
Devolver Digital

John Nguyen
Regional VP of Canada
Xsolla

Janine Steele
Director, Interactive Digital Media
CMF

Kristian Roberts
CEO
Nordicity

Matthew Walach
Co-founder
Insert Coin

Muddassir Mahmood
Co-founder
Insert Coin

Tia Young
Marketing Manager

Michael K. Dembek
Business Development Manager
Polish Investment & Trade Agency

Marcin Chady
Head of CDPR Vancouver
CD PROJEKT RED

Michael Silverwood
Founder / CEO
Pixile Studios

Caitlyn Bairstow
Voice Actor and UBCP/ACTRA
Voice Committee Member

UBCP/ACTRA

Sam Fisher
CEO
Hyper Hippo

Anna Shane
Senior Producer
Cloudhead Games

Steven Messner
PR & Communications Lead
Blackbird Interactive

Tyson Gratton
Lawyer
DLA Piper

Ian Hanlin
Voice Actor and UBCP/ACTRA
Voice Committee Member

UBCP/ACTRA

Ihor Pospishnyi
Director of Business Development
Quiver Game Developer’s Society

Alex Delamaire
Bizdev & Comms
Blackbird Interactive

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