143 studios opened in Canada last year

A new report on the video games industry in Canada reveals the region saw a strong year in 2014, with more than 100 new studios opening doors.

In 2013, Canada was home to 329 games developers. By the end of 2014, there were 472 studios in operation, 24 of which have more than 100 employees, according to the report.

These 24 studios actually represent 91 per cent of all employment in the country’s games industry, while Quebec accounts for just over half, with 10,850 full-time employees. In total, 20,400 people are employed by games firms across the nation, an increase of 24 per cent from 2013.

The fastest growing sector of the industry are micro studios – those with four employees or less – thanks to Canada’s start-up culture. The industry’s overall growth is expected to continue over the next two years, with an estimated 1,377 creative and technical vacancies expected to open. 

The video games industry is expected to contribute $3bn by the end of 2015, a year-on-year increase of 31 per cent.

“Canada’s video game industry plays a positive and vital role in our economy,” said Jayson Hilchie, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC).

“It’s a highly skilled, highly paid industry that employs young creative people; it’s demonstrating how Canada can create jobs and prosperity, export its creativity around the world and ultimately lead in the new economy of the future."