Canada is home to more than 800 active video game studios, making it a hub for the industry. Of those, a large number of them call the province of Ontario their home. Although British Columbia has much more of its population working within the sector, Ontario has nearly 300 studios within its borders.
Indeed, it’s not all that shocking to see the province being the leader in studio numbers. Toronto is the most populous city in Canada, with just over 7 million said to be living and working there. It’s the province’s capital (despite being home to the nation’s capital of Ottawa) and is the fourth most populated city in North America.
The country’s industry has grown significantly. According to findings, the gaming industry contributes $5.1 billion to Canada’s overall gross domestic product (GDP) annually, offering more than 34,000 people full-time employment.
Ontario’s rise as a gaming hub for online developers
Despite Toronto being a global center for business, finance, arts, sports, and culture, it has become a very attractive proposition for online gaming companies. They know that they will be able to have a good candidate pool, with it likely to be among the most diverse and skilled. Studios will have access to individuals with the talent to create titles with a good chance of success.
Some 50 developers have made the city their home, while others are located throughout Ontario. Various niches have been covered, with firms focusing on everything from video games to arcade titles and mobile options. There have also been instances whereby firms that aim to provide software for the best online casinos in Ontario have entered the market in some capacity because of the thriving market and the conditions the province offers. Playtech is an example of a reputable casino software developer to have entered the market, having used its partnership with a branded operator to expand its presence within the industry following the expansion of iGaming regulations within the area.
What are some of the biggest game developers in Ontario’s online gaming industry?
Ontario’s gaming market has managed to thrive for years, making locations like Toronto emerge as a potential hub for the industry in the future. As noted, it hasn’t been considered one, but the decision by some of the biggest developers to move some of their business operations to the province suggests that it could be on its way to becoming one.
Electronic Arts, Gameloft, Rockstar Toronto, Rovio Entertainment, and Ubisoft Toronto are perhaps some of the world’s biggest developers. They’re each known for releases that have achieved worldwide acclaim. They’ve all managed to capitalize on the infrastructure that cities like Toronto have offered them, making the most of its diverse communities.
Aside from these studios, many smaller ones are also set up in the province. Interestingly, Ontario has a higher concentration of Micro companies (2 to 4 employees) and Sole proprietorships than any other region across Canada. In fact, the vast majority of gaming studios in Ontario are thought to be made up of between 2-4 employees, with 144 of the 276 active developers in 2024 fitting this category.
Ontario’s future for online gaming developers
Ontario is an attractive proposition for online game developers and will likely continue to remain one in the future.
Many have already benefited from the demographics of the region, with its huge population being a large factor. As noted, Toronto’s 7 million+ population means developers can try and source the best employees possible to give them a chance of being successful in an industry that is highly competitive. In addition, the region is a location that has experienced recent change regarding online gaming, with regulations having been brought in to allow studios within iGaming to provide their titles to a new player pool.
The technology sector is enjoying a boom in cities like Toronto, with jobs growing at an unprecedented rate and educational institutes providing new opportunities for students to learn and get involved. As more become tech-savvy and educated in this particular field, the city can become more attractive to online gaming studios, as they can take advantage of the skills individuals acquire. As new technologies emerge, Ontarians who have learned about them could help studios located in the region to get ahead, as they will have immediate access to a pool of talent that can implement them within their titles.
Of course, there may be some challenges that still exist. Other locations can still be seen as greater tech hubs, while other markets may remain more reputable than Ontario for the gaming industry. Their neighbors to the south, the US, have many locations that are renowned for their contribution to gaming, with places like Seattle home to many firms. At the same time, Asia is among the market leaders, with countries like Japan and South Korea ahead. These factors can lead to investors being concerned about the footprint that developers in Ontario can leave, which may result in them not wanting to take the risk and pump cash into the Canadian market, thus leaving them to fall further behind the competition.
Final Thoughts
Ontario is one of the major homes for game development in Canada, with the province featuring the vast majority of studios. It’s unsurprising that many have set up in the country’s most populous region, given the benefits that can be enjoyed when doing so.
The region has shown a willingness to become a tech hub, which only makes it more appealing to companies working within the gaming space. While challenges remain, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the province become the home for many more in the future, especially if they can benefit from its infrastructure and economic power.
