Canadians absolutely love video games. Given this form of entertainment has taken off over the last decade, this news might not come as a surprise—especially when considering Canadians will spend quite a few extra months indoors during the long winter. However, locals aren’t just likely to enjoy playing games.
Canada’s love for gaming runs a lot deeper. The country has seen major growth in terms of the number of companies working to produce and launch video games, along with the number of testing facilities. Even in terms of gaming categories, Canadians aren’t afraid to push the boundaries and try something new.
If you’re new to gaming and want to understand more about Canada’s long-running history as a gaming pioneer, then keep reading for a few of the most interesting topics behind the country’s growing focus on gaming.
Virtual Casinos
Since Ontario went all-in with online gaming last year, interest in casino gaming has been on the rise. While some might imagine that online casinos are simply digital vestiges of brick-and-mortar establishments, virtual platforms have way more to offer. Slots, for example, are the most popular category and include tons of new variations.
The Crazy Time game in Canada is one of the latest hits thanks to its live bonus rounds. These rounds infuse new excitement into digital slots by offering new ways to interact with the reels and win. These types of games are offered on platforms like Wildz Casino, which are all about rebranding the traditional casino experience into a more exciting and fully digital gaming atmosphere.
According to Statistique Canada, nearly two-thirds of Canadians played a casino game in 2021. Updated stats from 2023 hint that the number has risen slightly, highlighting a growing interest in titles like slots.
Video Game Developers
Just like Canadian casino brands are pushing the frontiers when it comes to virtual casino titles, game developers are also leaving their mark on the industry. Specifically, Ontario and Quebec are home to dozens of game developers of all sizes, including Behaviour Interaction and Relic Entertainment.
Montreal is home to two of the world’s most celebrated studios, Ubisoft Montreal and Square Enix Montreal (recently rebranded as Studio Onoma). The former is responsible for award-winning franchise hits like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, along with cult hits like Child of Light and For Honor. Square Enix is the parent company behind the hit Final Fantasy franchise. Its Montreal department is behind the mobile game Go series, which includes Deux Ex Go and Lara Croft Go.
But keep in mind that these two studios mark the largest and most extensive projects in game development. Across Canada, hundreds of other studios are making their name. According to a report from Canada’s Video Game Industry, there are over 32,000 full-time and direct employees working for video game developers nationwide.
Video Game Testing Facilities
Similar to video game development, Canadians are also interested in game testing positions—and there are more options for locals than in most other countries. First and foremost, Canada is home to EA Full Circle, a remote testing studio in Vancouver that’s currently working on a project called ‘skate’.
The studio is designed to help EA push its latest projects to the next level with creative collaborations. But it’s only one of dozens of studios in British Columbia that are focused on games testing for large developers. Even Netflix has recently forayed into this territory. As the streaming giant looks to add game streaming to its suite of features, it’s working with certain Canadian subscribers.
They currently have the first look at Netflix’s technology, which they’re responsible for testing out for bugs and usability issues. So far, there are only two games to explore, Oxenfree and Molehew’s Mining Adventure.
