The world of gaming has changed so dramatically over the last couple of decades that many people struggle to get a true sense of which countries are leading the field and which are still getting established. As a country known for its progressive policies, it may not come as a surprise to learn that Canada has embraced gaming as an industry and is one of the top ten leading countries in the global market.
One of the most appealing things about Canada for gaming companies is their proximity to the US. The Canadian market has proved an appealing place to ‘soft’ launch games to get a sense of their potential in the US and Western Europe.
This makes Canada an attractive place for gaming companies, and some of the best-known game studios and production companies are based there, including:
Ubisoft
Although their headquarters are in a relatively small suburb of Paris, Ubisoft Montreal is one of their biggest studios. It opened in 1997 as the parent company was beginning to expand operations into an international marketplace, and it was supported by the government as a source of employment for local multimedia specialists.
While their earlier offerings didn’t create huge waves on the international gaming scene, when they released Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time in 2003, it became a huge hit that put the company on the global gaming map. They replicated this success with the hugely popular Assassin’s Creed series, followed by Far Cry, Watch Dogs, Transference, and Roller Champions.
As one of the pioneers in the Canadian gaming space, Ubisoft is credited with attracting other technical and creative businesses to Montreal, including Warner Bros among others. Their high-profile success demonstrated the value of investing in gaming, and Montreal benefited as other companies brought their operations to the area.
Jackpot City
Launched in 1998, Jackpot City quickly became one of Canada’s most esteemed casino game providers, with thousands of fans staying loyal to the site throughout its twenty-five-year history. Players using Canadian casino sites have plenty to choose from as the industry is well-regulated with oversight from the Canadian Gaming Commission, which has a good reputation for maintaining a safe, secure playing environment for online casino players.
As with any online casino, the variety of games on offer is one of the most appealing things and players can find themed slots, high-stakes poker, live roulette, and much more all from the comfort of their own homes. The flexibility and convenience of online gambling versus land-based casinos have made a significant contribution to the continued growth of the Canadian online gaming sector.
Electronic Arts
One of the companies that were inspired to open a Canadian studio was Electronic Arts, commonly known as EA, which was founded in California, but opened in Canada in 1991 after a series of acquisitions. As one of the most successful gaming studios in the world, EA has been responsible for some of the most iconic games of all time, including:
- The Sims
- Medal of Honor
- Need for Speed
- Apex Legends
- Madden NFL
- FIFA
- UFC
The popularity of EA’s games made the company a household name at a time when hardware manufacturers were still dominating the scene in terms of branding. EA has gone from strength to strength, acquiring smaller specialist sites and expanding its operations to include exclusive licensing for sports games and the exclusive rights to content relating to college football.
Capybara Games
The major players may be dominating the market, but small, independent studios are definitely coming into their own, particularly in the Canadian market. One such success story is Capybara Games, a company that was founded in 2003 by a group of game developers who were all part of a non-profit industry support network.
By 2011, they had produced Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP, an adventure game that took the world by storm, selling 1.5 million copies and earning awards from several industry bodies. This was followed by Super Time Force, an action game in which players can ‘rewind’ their actions when they die and play alongside a ghost version of themselves.
The quirky approach, humourous in-game entertainment, and creativity of these games earned them millions of fans and plenty of praise from reviewers and critics. As one of the many smaller studios that have enjoyed widespread success, Capybara is another example of how the supportive environment created within the Canadian gaming industry has yielded great results.
As the Canadian gaming market is predicted to grow steadily over the coming years, it’s a great place for entrepreneurial game designers, established companies, and gamers. In a marketplace that is flooded with hundreds of near-identical games, Canadian studios are developing a reputation for stepping outside the mainstream and bringing a touch of originality to their offerings.
