Why Canada's Gaming Scene is Thriving More Than Ever

Canada - perhaps not the name of a country you might think about when it comes to gaming. You’re more likely to think of its beautiful landscapes and Mounties! 

However, the last few years have seen the country become a prominent feature in the global gaming industry. It’s gained plaudits for the contributions it’s made to the gaming world - most especially video games, and as a result, it’s made a name for itself on the international stage. 

Let’s take a look at why the gaming scene here is thriving more than ever and what the future holds for it. 

How the Canadian gaming scene evolved

Well, from little acorns - mighty oaks grow and the industry has come a long way since its very humble start. When we think of video games, we tend to associate them with the USA or Japan, but Canada as a country has moved up through the rankings to become highly rated. 

Ontario has become a major hub for online gambling.  The province has an expanding casino market which is now one of the country’s most prolific, creating billions of dollars in revenue for the country and finding a whole new generation of people who are becoming interested in learning how to play. 

There have also been record numbers of people using online and mobile casinos - one of the best ways to spin your way to top prizes in the country and registration tallies for players wanting to join have surged. 

It all began with smaller and independent developers designing games for the earliest forms of PCs and consoles at the start of the 80s. One of the biggest names to emerge was Ubisoft Montreal. From this, more major game development studios have started to build up a presence in the country with Ubisoft still being the most well-known. Bioware, EA Sports, and Square Enix Montreal are all major players too. There has been a resurgence of indie games too with noted developers like Capybara and Supergiant Games getting more attention worldwide than was thought possible.

Who has shaped the Canadian Gaming industry?

Over the years there have been several companies that have emerged that have helped to shape Canada’s gaming landscape and we’ll take a look at these now. 

So first and foremost is probably Ubisoft Montreal - they’re one of the largest gaming companies in the world, not just Canada. Why? Well, they’ve developed hugely popular games like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry…

Next is Electronic Arts - and this company, based in both Vancouver and Montreal has produced some fantastic e-sports simulation games, namely FIFA and NHL.

Fans of more narrative-driven gaming will appreciate that Bioware is one of the best gaming companies the country has produced. Games such as Mass Effect and Dragon Age remain popular among fans. 

A name well known to many is Warner Bros. Games in Montreal and this studio has helped develop popular titles such as Batman: Arkham Origins, and forms part of the larger Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment group.

How does the Government view gambling in Canada?

The Canadian government has been positive in how it helps foster talent through a lot of different incentives and support schemes, designed to encourage people to come into the industry and make a positive contribution - and they offer lots of help and financial support to those who are interested in taking up a career in game development and design. These include but are not limited to: 

• Tax Credits
• Education and Training
• Funding Programs
• Immigration Policies

All of this makes getting into the industry an attractive prospect for many - whether they’re Canadian residents, or looking to come in from other countries to study. 

The future of the Canadian gaming industry

It’s looking wholly positive and here’s why. Firstly, their global popularity is increasing. Canadian game studios are increasingly influencing the global gaming landscape, with franchises like Assassin’s Creed still attaining huge levels of popularity. Then there are lots of new emerging technologies coming from the country with exciting developments in virtual reality, augmented reality, and esports, too - making it a world leader. 

The success of smaller, independent companies has meant that creativity has been allowed to flourish - and there are always new and exciting gaming projects in the pipeline to keep interest up and players motivated. 

From really humble origins, the gaming industry in Canada is now a force to be reckoned with globally. 

The key companies involved - along with a great level of Government support to encourage talent to enter the industry means that it will only continue to grow over the coming years. It’s therefore very well positioned to grow even further and make bigger waves in the future and it’ll be interesting to see if other countries start to try and compete with this very successful model. It’s worked well for Canada so far.