Video games are just as popular in Canada as in other parts of the world, with entire generations coming of age with fond memories of digital adventures on different platforms. Yet, the adoption rates across the country have historically been uneven with highly urbanised provinces like Ontario, Quebec, and British Colombia leading the way. The same is true for the business side of the video game world, with some of the most important Canadian gaming software companies based on these provinces.
Over nearly five decades, there have been significant shifts in the market but Ontario has maintained a leading position throughout this period. Let’s take a deeper look to understand how this was possible and what it means today.
The Roots of Video Gaming Industry in Ontario
Canadian computer enthusiasts were first exposed to gaming culture in the late 70s and early 80s along with the rest of North America. It didn’t take long for locals to start making their own games, and from the very start this activity was concentrated in large Ontario cities like Toronto and Ottawa. The first wildly successful video game made in Canada was Boulder Dash, and it was created by (you guessed it) two guys from Ontario. This game was made for the Atari platform, which goes to tell you how far back the roots of the industry go. The province fortified its reputation as tech and gaming hub in the 1990s, attracting a lot of international brands to open local offices and nurturing an authentic homegrown scene that contributed many great titles in practically all genres.
Growth of Demand Leading to a Cultural Shift
As PC ownership reached nearly universal levels in Ontario, the demand for new games skyrocketed. Young Canadians located in urban areas were quick to fall in love with gaming and had the means to purchase games, leading to the realisation by the provincial government that financial potentials of the industry are worth considering. Consequently, Ontario became a place where innovation is supported and education for tech-based jobs is widely available. This attitude was different from predominant thinking in Canada at the time, and it proved to be very farsighted. By recognising video games as an important sector of the economy rather than just a fringe hobby, Ontario gained a permanent boost to its employment opportunities, tax revenues, etc. Technology and gaming friendly mindset appears to be permanently set and can still be felt in the province to this day.
The Rest of Canada Catches Up in the Online Era
With video gaming going mainstream everywhere on the planet, other Canadian provinces caught up with Ontario in terms of production capacity. In particular, Bioware (which is based in Alberta) achieved global fame among gamers with legendary franchises like Mass Effect or Baldur’s Gate. A number of companies from Vancouver, such as Blackbird Interactive and Relic Entertainment, enjoyed sustained success with multiple hits. While Ontario game developers may have been partly overshadowed by big name success stories in this period, the province maintained its edge in overall revenues from this sector, with 31% of all Canadian-made games produced by studios from Ontario. This part of the country also remained a top retail market for domestic and foreign games and regularly hists a lot of video gaming events such as Fan Expo Canada, further contributing to both the economy and prestige within the industry.
How Legal iGaming Revived the Gaming Sector in Ontario
Restrictions on online gambling were long regarded as an obstacle that blocked progress of iGaming in Ontario, but this hurdle was finally removed in 2022. Once it became possible to provide online gambling services to local residents, Ontario game developers and iGaming platforms rushed to fill the vacuum. A number of reliable Ontario online casino sites emerged, alongside proliferation across rest of the country, and we are just scratching the surface here – Canadians looking to bet and play at a casino became increasingly spoiled for choice. With the infrastructure and the know-how for making advanced games already in place, Ontario is almost certain to capitalise on high interest for casino style games and sports betting apps. Earnings from online gambling have surpassed US$ 1 billion within the first year and they can only go up as more investment pours into the nascent sector and developers spot market gaps they can serve.
Ontario as the Video Game Capital of Canada in 2020s
With experience that spans decades, top-tier education system, high-end expertise, and favourable business climate, Ontario has all the elements needed for the video games industry to thrive long into the future. Local demand remains the driving force with action adventures, shooters, and family-friendly games among the most sought-after products. Online distribution models allow Ontario game manufacturers to easily reach foreign markets, tapping into a huge pool of players and reaping the benefits of the global rise in demand. Mobile games and iGames in particular are niches where companies from Ontario can gain a lot of ground since they require less resources to make and appeal to broader audiences than traditional video games. Games for mobile platforms already account more than 30% of overall revenues, while iGaming is the fastest growing sector in the nation.