The 2025 Montréal International Game Summit opened this week with a declaration that felt less like bravado and more like a statement of fact. “We’re the best at producing games,” said Jean-Jacques Hermans, executive director of La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, capturing both the pride and momentum that continue to define Quebec’s world-class industry. His words resonated through the Grand Quay in the Old Port, where MIGS25 made its grand return for a special two-day edition—one that industry veterans are already calling a pivotal moment in the next chapter of global gaming.
Now in its 22nd year, MIGS remains a gateway to the North American games ecosystem, but this year’s summit unfolds against a backdrop of rapid transformation. “How games are being made is changing, how people are playing games is changing,” noted Jason Lepine, CEO of XP Gaming and executive producer of the summit. From mobile and subscription platforms to a player base that now includes more women than men and a growing number of older adults, the landscape has never been broader or more dynamic. The innovations I saw were very exciting.
Amid these shifts, MIGS25 embraces its identity as a meeting ground—an international hub where innovation, financing, and competitiveness converge. Developers, publishers, outsourcing firms, legal experts, and students move through the glassed levels of the Grand Quay, forging partnerships and exploring curated indie showcases. For studios like Thunder Lotus Games, whose CEO William Dubé champions MIGS as a catalyst for global business, the summit reflects the best qualities of the Canadian sector: creative, export-driven, sustainable, and increasingly influential.
Despite industry-wide layoffs and post-pandemic restructuring, the optimism is tangible. With video games contributing $5.1 billion to Canada’s GDP and Quebec ranking among the world’s top five development hubs, MIGS25 feels less like a recovery than a resurgence. It is, unmistakably, where the next generation of Canadian gaming takes shape.
Among the fascinating encounters we make at MIGS are the emerging enterprises and services shaping the new tech universe. Here are a few kiosks I stopped by, where charming, smiling individuals explained their products.
Fastspring is a global payments and subscription platform built specifically for SaaS companies, software creators, video-game publishers, and online content providers. Acting as a full merchant-of-record, FastSpring manages worldwide payments, subscriptions, sales tax, and VAT compliance so businesses can scale confidently. With flexible monetization options, elite fraud protection, and support for 200+ regions and 21+ languages, the platform helps studios boost revenue and reach new markets. Developers can integrate customized web shops, seamless checkouts, and in-game purchases through modern APIs and Javascript tools, while FastSpring’s expert team handles setup, ongoing support, and player-payment assistance—enabling faster global growth.
Innoprofits Solutions Quebec is a consulting firm specializing in tax credit claims and public funding strategies. Founded in 2009 by Marwan Bitar, the firm has supported innovative companies of all sizes for over 15 years. Its team brings together technical, scientific, and tax experts who understand the financial challenges entrepreneurs face. Known for its strong mastery of funding programs and recognized by government authorities, Innoprofits maintains excellent relationships with key financial institutions. Its mission is to help businesses secure and optimize public funding, manage financial risks, and streamline tax credit claims through a tailored, partnership-driven strategic approach.
Xsolla is a global Merchant of Record offering over 1,000 payment methods and access to a 50M+ cumulative audience, all with a simple 5% transaction fee. It streamlines operations with accurate tax management, robust fraud monitoring, and full global and regional compliance. Xsolla also simplifies refund and dispute management while delivering dedicated end-user support to enhance the entire payment journey. Through its newsroom, developers gain industry insights, expert interviews, and the latest updates. With Release Notes, Xsolla showcases powerful new features and tools designed to help game developers stay ahead in an ever-evolving market.
Lysto is the all-in-one playtesting workspace that lets game studios and researchers conduct better, faster playtests. Designed with enterprise-grade protection, it centralizes build distribution, access control, and collaboration in a private workspace. Precision-matched, verified players provide reliable insights, while AI instantly analyzes gameplay footage, surfaces patterns, and highlights player sentiment across languages. From rapid test setup to structured feedback, every step is streamlined—capturing real gameplay, surveys, transcripts, and key moments in one place. With expert support and intelligent automation, teams can refine mechanics, validate concepts, and accelerate development with clarity and confidence.
Xbox Discovery Day is a hands-on learning event designed to help game developers navigate the full journey of creating and publishing games on Xbox platforms. At the MIGS edition held on November 12, 2025, developers explored ID@Xbox programs, learned best practices for building on console, PC, and cloud, and gained insights into funding, business strategy, and marketing. The event also offered direct access to Xbox representatives for feedback and questions. With sessions on technical integration and industry trends, Discovery Day provides valuable guidance and global networking opportunities—empowering developers to grow, polish, and successfully launch their games within the Xbox ecosystem. Chloé Giusti sent an open invitation for developers who want to pitch a new game to Microsoft.
I assisted to a conference by Matt Lee. He is Executive Producer and Game Manager at Gameloft Montréal, brings over 15 years of experience shaping new IPs and live service titles. Having held key production roles at Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Novaquark, he now leads innovative game development initiatives at Gameloft. At Ubisoft, he helped modernize AAA production through the Live Test approach, a system designed to assess gameplay retention, scalability, and operational strength before launch. In his conference session, “Building and Operating Teams with a Live Service Mentality,” Matt shares practical strategies for structuring resilient teams and optimizing pipelines to support games long after release.
Viral Collab is a comprehensive influencer marketing and talent management agency that links brands with leading creators in gaming, tech, and entertainment. The team oversees every part of a campaign—from finding the right influencers to planning, executing, and offering clear, upfront pricing—ensuring brands connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Influencers receive dedicated management that covers brand partnerships, contract oversight, rate negotiation, and long-term growth support. In addition to campaign work, Viral Collab provides digital marketing services including web design, SEO, and online advertising, delivering strong ROI and expanded visibility through professional, budget-conscious strategies tailored to each client’s needs.
Don't hesitate to explore these companies should their products help you accomplish your goals.
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Photos © LENA GHIO, 2025
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