The post-pandemic landscape hasn’t been kind to video game conferences. But while some global giants rethink their futures, the Montréal International Game Summit is doubling down.
When the MIGS25 opens its doors next week, it won’t just be Canada’s largest games industry event, it’s probably the most ambitious ever. With a new venue, a growing international reach, and a commitment to accessibility and depth, the event feels like a confident statement of intent for the country’s games industry.
The most obvious change for this year’s summit is the location. MIGS25 is moving to a new home at the Grand Quay in the Port of Montréal, an expansive venue on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. The new space is large enough to accommodate four programming stages, and a significantly larger expo floor.
To find out more about this year’s event, we spoke to Ryan Sno-Wood, Director of Marketing & Communications at XP Gaming.
“We would max it out each year,” says Sno-Wood of the summit’s previous home. “So, the whole idea is that you expand to breathe rather than breathe to expand.”
The larger venue brings more international attention, Sno-Wood adds, with over 40 countries represented. “It’s quite literally in the name. We’re bringing MIGS back to its international roots.”
MIGS25 will host speakers from publishers in Sweden, Denmark, China, the US, and beyond, with representatives from studios including Arrowhead (Helldivers II), 11 bit studios (Frostpunk), and Playstack, publisher of 2024’s surprise hit Balatro. Most intriguingly, Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group – which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – will be in attendance, and will undoubtedly face questions about the company’s role in the acquisition of Electronic Arts.
With a global audience on hand, MIGS is positioning Canada as a creative force in the industry. The city of Montréal, home to major studios like Ubisoft, Behaviour Interactive, WB Games, and multiple independents, is just one example.
“Canada punches well above its weight in game development,” Sno-Wood says. “We have no business punching at the level we do, yet we do. We’re just a creative bunch and we do really well.”
And although MIGS helps position Canada as a centre of game development, Sno-Wood says it can also act as a critical voice in shaping the industry’s future for the whole region.
“One of the key things we started to realize is that this actually is an insertion point for North America,” he explains. “Montréal has always been a gateway. This is about reclaiming that role.”
Other flagship events, like the Game Developers Conference (GDC), have come under considerable scrutiny in recent years for their cost and accessibility. It’s an issue that the San Francisco-based show is aiming to address in 2026 with a controversial rebrand, a new format, and an updated pricing structure.
MIGS is tackling similar concerns with a new Content Pass, priced at $399 CAD, which grants access to over 40 talks, the Innovation Expo, and the Indie Zone. It’s a move designed to make the summit more inclusive and open to everyone from seasoned professionals and students to emerging developers.
“Each year, we get people who only want to come for the talks. So we designed a pass just for them,” Sno-Wood says. “It’s affordable, it’s flexible, and it opens the doors to anyone who wants to learn.”
This year’s session program has been carefully curated, and Sno-Wood says the team has worked hard to ensure every talk delivers genuine insight and practical value.
“If you’ve been to some events, you’ve probably been to a talk and you’re like, wow, that was so surface level. So we really try to avoid that,” he says.
Sno-Wood points to lessons learned from previous events like the XP Games Summit in Toronto.
“That was always super knowledge heavy. We’ve gone ultra knowledge heavy on that one. And we’ve learned to hone and develop, and really get into things. What we’ve really tried to do is get talks that are much more in-depth. They are very specific and actionable. So, take your notebook!”
“Actually, to say that it’s only ‘content’ is a little disingenuous,” he adds. “Because there’s opportunity there for people. Your networking opportunities are huge.”
MIGS25 Session Highlights
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Balatro: Turning Low Resolution into High Praise
Wout van Halderen from Playstack reveals how the breakout deckbuilder Balatro turned unconventional visuals into a marketing advantage. Learn how the team leans into streamability, demos, and influencer partnerships to fuel excitement and engagement.
The Price of Success: Why Making Your 2nd Game Is Even Harder
Abhi Swaminath of Venba studio Visai Games reflects on the unique challenges of following up a successful debut. This talk offers candid lessons for independent developer navigating that tricky second act.
From the Story of Four to the Fate of Forty Thousand
Maciej Sułecki of 11 bit studios shares design insights on how to scale moral storytelling without losing emotional impact, from intimate narratives to epic survival scenarios.
How to Design and Build Killer Game UI
Rive’s Tod Bouris and Dave Doherty demonstrate how to create slick, animated UIs using Rive, and skip the traditional designer-dev handoff headaches. Expect practical tips and real-game examples.
Objects That Speak: Shaping Narrative Through Audio and Object Interaction
Beatrix Moersch and Julien Goyon from Don’t Nod Montreal dive into Lost Records: Bloom and Rage, where sound, memory, and everyday objects work together to deepen player immersion and emotional storytelling.
While online talks have their place, the real value of events like MIGS lies in being in the room, forging connections, building relationships, and learning in person. According to Sno-Wood, that sense of presence is central to the summit’s mission.
“We know that this is where business gets done. This is where people come from around the world to connect and build their own businesses and build other businesses in the process,” he says.
“There’s something for everybody. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, there’s value. And if you’re enterprising, the opportunities are everywhere.”
The Montréal International Game Summit runs from November 11–12, 2025, at the Grand Quay. Find out more on the official MIGS website. You can also use the code MIGS25THUMBS at checkout to get 10% off VIP, Business, and Content Passes.
