Published by Programme B
The video gaming industry in Canada is centred on developing and monetizing games, internally and globally. It’s an important industry for the GDP of the country, contributing millions of dollars each year. There is no doubt that gaming is big news in Canada, and not just for the developers.
Gaming enthusiasts help to create the foundations for the success of the Canadian gaming industry with their appetite for new gameplay. They have specific ideas and desires when it comes to what types of games they want to play. This has led to a high level of diversity in the gaming options that are available in the country.
Variety of gaming choice
You only need to look at the different developers providing gaming content in Canada and you can see how varied the gaming industry is.
For instance, Canadian based developers like Hothead Games and Ubisoft are responsible for creating such universally recognized titles as On the Rain Slick – Precipice of Darkness, Assassin’s Creed and Prince of Persia. They are joined in providing online gaming franchises by companies like Valve Corporation based in Washington and Rockstar Games which has its headquarters in New York.
An alternative choice for gaming enthusiasts in Canada is casino based content. Software developers like NetEnt have created table games for players to experience; you can see their blackjack games here. They also provide slot machine games like Alien Robots and Dead or Alive.
Amidst this high demand for good quality and diverse games, the video gaming industry is flourishing.
Key facts about the health of the gaming industry in Canada
There are several points that show just how healthy the gaming industry in Canada is right now.
- The industry will secure revenues of around US$857m in 2020. This is expected to grow at an annual rate of around 2.8% between 2020 and 2024.
- Approximately 88% of the industry revenue is made from exports, despite the huge popularity of gaming within Canada itself.
- Around 61% of people in Canada identify as being a gamer. That is a vast potential market for developers and publishers to take advantage of.
- The age of the average gamer in Canada is greater than in many countries. It currently stands at 39 years.
These facts help to indicate where the biggest part of the gaming market is, for Canadian and international developers. They also indicate that the main demographic for gaming marketing efforts to be aimed at is people in their late 30s. In addition, research suggests that women are just as likely as men to be gamers.
These are interesting statistics that gaming companies need to consider when developing their products for the Canadian market. This is especially important for the many startups that have been created in the industry. They need to continue to develop their products and customer base in order to thrive in what is becoming a crowded market place. The high level of competition can only be a good thing for an industry that seems set to continue its growth in the coming years.
Photo de Leah Kelley provenant de Pexels