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| MIGS 2025 |
On November 10th, 2025, as the first major snowstorm of the year swept across Montreal, hundreds of gaming professionals, creators, and dreamers braved the cold to gather in the heart of the Old Port. The occasion? The highly anticipated VIP Cocktail of MIGS25 — the Montreal International Game Summit’s signature mixer — a celebration of creativity, connection, and innovation in the world of gaming.
Outside, snowflakes danced in the wind; inside, the warmth of shared passion and possibility filled the room. Hosted by UBISOFT, one of the giants of the global gaming industry, the evening shimmered with energy. Between the clinking of glasses, the hum of conversations, and the quiet thrill of discovery, this night became a reminder that even in a snowstorm, nothing can freeze the spirit of imagination.
A Night of Stories, Innovation, and Shared Dreams
I arrived at the venue with snowflakes still catching in my hair, feeling that electric buzz of expectation that only MIGS can deliver. The Old Port, dusted in white, looked like something out of a cinematic intro sequence — the kind that promises an epic adventure to come. Inside, warmth radiated from every corner: laughter, clinking glasses, plates filled with Montreal’s finest food, and the unmistakable pulse of creative minds connecting.
As I sipped my rum and Coke, I found myself in one of those rare and magical conversations that remind you why events like these matter. Standing there, Nikita Pushnov, the CEO and creative force behind Animus. Originally from Belarus, Pushnov’s journey to Canada was as bold and determined as any hero’s quest. He came seeking a new frontier in gaming — and found it in Vancouver, one of the most dynamic hubs of digital art and innovation.
Pushnov’s latest project is a breathtaking space exploration game, one that promises not only stellar visuals but also emotional depth and immersion. His designs are intricate, elegant, and pulsing with the spirit of discovery. As we talked, I couldn’t help but imagine the future evolution of his work — a VR experience so beautifully rendered that players might one day forget where the game ends and reality begins.
Throughout our conversation, Chantal L’Heureux, the talented producer of Magazine In Situ on Radio Centre-Ville 102.3 FM, camera in hand, captured the atmosphere. Her presence added another layer of artistry to the evening — framing the human side of innovation, one candid shot at a time.
Hosted by Giants: UBISOFT’s Touch
It was fitting that UBISOFT played host to this year’s mixer. As one of the most iconic names in gaming, their Montreal studio has long been a cornerstone of the industry, fostering talent and pushing creative boundaries. Their involvement in MIGS25 wasn’t just symbolic — it was a reflection of Montreal’s continuing role as one of the world’s most vibrant gaming capitals.
UBISOFT’s hospitality set the tone for the night: welcoming, inclusive, and brimming with ambition. Around every table, conversations sparked between coders, designers, producers, and artists. Ideas were exchanged as easily as handshakes, and even the storm outside seemed to echo the energy within — swirling, dynamic, and unstoppable.
A Meeting with HUMAIN: Where Art Meets Algorithm
Later in the evening, I found myself in another remarkable conversation — this time with Greg Maguire, the founder and CEO of HUMAIN, a company based in Ireland that has become legendary for its lifelike digital humans.
Maguire’s enthusiasm was infectious. He spoke passionately about HUMAIN’s mission to move gamers, producers, and animators alike through the realism and expressiveness of their creations. “We move gamers with our digital doubles,” he explained. “We move producers by giving them rigs they know will work perfectly. We move animators and artists by giving them rigs that guarantee their characters will react realistically and deliver their performances.”
What struck me most was how deeply HUMAIN blurs the lines between technology and art. Their team is a unique blend — producers, animators, programmers, and artists — united by a shared obsession with the human face and the emotions it can convey. Before HUMAIN was born, its members had already left their mark on the industry, shaping the rigs and performances of some of the most iconic characters in cinema and gaming.
Years of research and collaboration with psychologists and FACS (Facial Action Coding System) specialists culminated in EKER, their proprietary framework for developing facial and body rigs. The result? Characters that don’t just move — they emote, breathe, and live.
As Maguire spoke, I realized that HUMAIN represents the future of immersion: a future where characters mirror the nuances of human experience so faithfully that players can truly feel alongside them. It’s a powerful reminder that while technology evolves, its greatest purpose remains profoundly human — connection.
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| Chantal L"Heureux with Nikita Pushnov enjoying her cocktail and finger food. |
The Spirit of MIGS: More Than an Event
By the time I stepped back out into the snowy night, the Old Port had transformed into a winter wonderland. The streets shimmered with fresh snow under the city lights, and I couldn’t help but smile. Despite the storm, hundreds of us had shown up — not just to network, but to celebrate what binds us together: curiosity, creativity, and community.
MIGS has always been more than a conference. It’s a crossroads — where the global gaming world converges to share ideas, form partnerships, and inspire one another. The 2025 VIP Mixer captured that spirit perfectly. It wasn’t about business cards or pitches; it was about passion. It was about celebrating how far we’ve come — from pixelated beginnings to AI-driven storytelling, from static characters to emotionally intelligent avatars — and envisioning where we’ll go next.
The night was also a testament to resilience. A snowstorm might have closed roads and grounded flights, but it couldn’t stop a community built on imagination. In that sense, the storm became part of the story — a symbol of what it takes to create: persistence in the face of challenges, warmth in the cold, and light amid uncertainty.
The work of people like Nikita Pushnov and Greg Maguire embodies that evolution promised by technology. From space exploration to digital humans, their projects remind us that gaming is not merely entertainment — it’s an art form, a laboratory for empathy, and a mirror reflecting our collective imagination.
Events like the MIGS25 VIP Mixer are where these visions converge — over shared meals, clinking glasses, and the laughter of creators who understand that the real magic happens when ideas meet.
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Photos by Chantal L'Heureux and Lena Ghio
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