Canada has long been recognized as a global force in the video game industry, producing blockbuster titles like Assassin’s Creed, Mass Effect, and Dead by Daylight. But behind the high-profile franchises lies a diverse and dynamic community of developers whose passion, innovation, and cultural insight are shaping the future of gaming.
In 2025, game development in Canada is not just big business — it’s personal, artistic, and often deeply connected to the stories and identities of the creators. Let’s go behind the scenes to meet the makers who are redefining what Canadian gaming is all about.
Across the country, small studios of 2–10 people are producing some of the most emotionally rich and mechanically innovative games in the world.
In Halifax, a two-person team recently launched Drift Shore, a meditative game exploring coastal life and grief — built entirely in Unity over 14 months.
In Winnipeg, a Métis-led studio released Red Echo, an award-winning stealth game centered around Indigenous resistance stories, complete with traditional language options and lore-based gameplay.
In Vancouver, a queer-led studio is pushing boundaries with Synesthesia, an audio-visual narrative game praised for its accessibility and sensory storytelling.
These developers are bringing uniquely Canadian perspectives to the global market, often inspired by local landscapes, history, and social issues.
Canada is home to major studios like Ubisoft Toronto, EA Vancouver, and Behaviour Interactive. But even these giants are evolving.
Ubisoft Toronto has opened a micro-studio program, allowing small internal teams to experiment with passion projects outside the usual AAA format.
Behaviour Interactive continues to support Dead by Daylight while incubating smaller projects with distinct visual and narrative styles.
These companies are increasingly hiring from the indie pool — blending blockbuster scale with indie-style innovation.
Game devs in Canada are increasingly making space for voices that were historically marginalized in the industry.
Organizations like Dames Making Games (Toronto) and GamePlay Space (Montreal) are mentoring developers from underrepresented backgrounds, supporting projects that explore identity, culture, and mental health through gameplay.
Notable trends in 2025:
More non-linear storytelling rooted in real-world social issues
Rising number of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) creators in lead design roles
A surge in neurodiverse and disability-led design, making accessibility a core design pillar rather than an afterthought
Post-pandemic, many Canadian developers chose to go fully remote — and it’s working.
Teams are now spread across provinces, from big cities to rural towns. Developers in Yellowknife and Kamloops are collaborating via cloud-based tools, building games asynchronously across time zones.
Tools like Godot Engine, Unreal 5, and Figma have made it easier than ever to work without a traditional studio space.
New co-op structures are emerging, where developers own shares in their projects and make decisions democratically.
This shift has democratized game development and reduced barriers for those outside traditional tech hubs.
Despite this creative surge, Canadian developers are still navigating challenges:
Funding gaps for mid-size studios (those that have outgrown micro-grants but lack publisher support)
Marketing struggles in breaking into a saturated global game market
Burnout and mental health issues, especially in small teams managing full development pipelines
However, many are responding with innovative solutions: rotating work schedules, revenue-sharing co-ops, and community-funded publishing models.
Buy their games directly from Itch.io or their official websites
Wishlist on Steam — it’s free and boosts visibility through the algorithm
Join their Discords, beta tests, or dev streams
Support local game jams and festivals like the Vancouver Indie Game Festival or TOJam (Toronto)
Even small gestures — tweeting about their game or leaving a positive review — can have a huge impact.
Canadian game development is more than a business — it’s a community of artists, coders, storytellers, and dreamers. In 2025, that community is thriving, resilient, and more representative of Canada’s diversity than ever before.
By supporting local creators, we’re not just investing in fun and entertainment — we’re helping build a richer, more inclusive future for the global gaming industry.