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Brooke Van Dusen 🔜 XDS
I help independent studio leaders build better, more flexible game teams.
Professional Background
Brooke Van Dusen is a seasoned veteran in the gaming development sector, recognized for her remarkable ability to connect game studios with the right external development partners. With over 13 years of experience, Brooke has signed external teams to hundreds of successful projects, ensuring that game developers can focus on their creativity while her robust network manages their resourcing challenges.
Throughout her career, Brooke has established a comprehensive game services database featuring 850+ providers. This vast repository is the result of her strategic insight and technical understanding of the gaming industry, which allows her to locate and match the ideal resources with unique project requirements efficiently. Many industry leaders appreciate her ability to produce tailored lists of pre-screened candidates that meet their specific needs, saving valuable time and resources in the often challenging hiring landscape.
Brooke’s extensive professional journey includes high-profile positions at well-known companies, including Twitch, Xsolla, and Oooh, where she honed her expertise in external development strategies. As the Vice President of Business Development at Xsolla, she was instrumental in shaping partnerships that propelled the company to new heights. Her tenure at Twitch saw her rise through various roles—from recruiter to director—demonstrating her adaptability and deep understanding of the digital entertainment ecosystem.
Education and Achievements
Brooke holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication of Science & Technology with a focus on Physics from Vanderbilt University. This unique educational background not only reflects her technical proficiency but also her communication skills, allowing her to simplify complex technical information for diverse audiences.
In addition to her educational credentials, Brooke has actively contributed to the gaming community through her roles as a blogger at Pixel Procurement and as an advisor to startups within the industry. Her advisory roles have equipped her with insights into innovative practices and trends within game development, which she leverages to offer exceptional guidance to her clients.
Brooke's multifaceted background has earned her recognition from numerous game development leaders. For instance, Dan Lavender, Director of Engineering at Carbon Counts, praised her ability to provide valuable ExDev guidance, while Paco Vicanta, Co-Founder & CTO at Oooh, lauded her for the unique blend of strategic insight and technical knowledge that has enabled organizations to optimize their outsourcing strategies. Such endorsements underscore her influential presence within the gaming community.
Achievements
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Game Services Database: Brooke has created a resource database of over 850 external development providers, enabling game studios to access a tailored list of candidates that meet their project's needs, thereby revolutionizing the way studios source talent.
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Consultative Services: She offers comprehensive services that include free ExDev strategy calls for game studios seeking to refine their hiring processes. Her approach provides actionable takeaways that guide studios in identifying the right talent quickly and efficiently.
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Leadership Roles: Brooke has held numerous leadership positions in prestigious companies, including Vice President at Xsolla and Oooh, as well as Director of Partnerships at Outpost Games, showcasing her capacity to drive growth and foster strategic relationships across the industry.
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Industry-Wide Trust: Brooke has established herself as a trusted partner among game development leaders, consistently helping them unlock value through smart outsourcing strategies and thorough due diligence in vetting candidates. Her success stories and the trust placed in her by former colleagues are testaments to her outstanding professionalism and expertise.
