Canada’s gaming industry is often discussed alongside film and television, and the numbers now put it firmly in the same category. Video games generated roughly $7 billion in revenue in 2022, and current projections push that figure past $10 billion by 2027. Much of that money comes from exports. Canadian studios sell far more games abroad than at home. Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver dominate development, largely because that is where talent and long-running studio infrastructure already exist. The result is an industry that has become difficult to ignore.
Video Games as a Cultural Mainstay
Studios kept popping up throughout the 2010s, and by 2022, there were 1,628 of them. It wasn’t a rush, just steady growth. A lot of developers here don’t lock themselves into one platform either. Console work leads to PC, PC leads to mobile, and sometimes it swings back the other way. Multiplayer design has changed things more than any single trend. Games last longer now because people stay. They log in to see each other, not just to finish a storyline and move on.
Online Casino Gaming Within a Regulated Framework
Online casino gaming exists on the edge of the broader gaming market rather than at its center. Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba operate regulated online casino platforms through provincial systems. Outside those provinces, many players use offshore platforms that meet international standards, including trusted Canadian sites, to legally place online casino games. These platforms tend to attract players looking for variety and faster access. The audience is smaller than that of video games or esports, and it has stayed that way, but interest remains steady.
The Growth of Esports in Canada
Esports in Canada grew quietly before it became visible. Professional teams, tournament operators, and broadcasters now run consistent schedules rather than isolated events. Canadian players compete internationally in games like Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Valorant, often without much domestic attention until results arrive. Although Esports still depends heavily on streaming platforms, it no longer relies on them alone.
Mobile and Casual Gaming Reach Wider Audiences
Mobile gaming reaches players who do not spend time following the industry. Many engage daily without thinking of themselves as gamers. Canadian developers have leaned into this by releasing titles that focus on regular updates rather than spectacle. These games rarely dominate headlines, but they generate consistent revenue. For some studios, mobile projects support larger console or PC development. The segment does not grow loudly, but it does nevertheless continue to grow.
Popular Games Among Canadian Players
Player preferences in Canada remain broad. Sports games continue to perform well, especially hockey and basketball titles tied to annual releases. Open-world and role-playing games attract players willing to invest dozens of hours. Competitive shooters maintain strong communities built around ranked play. Independent Canadian games often succeed on smaller scales, finding audiences through word of mouth rather than marketing spend. No single genre controls the market for long.
Streaming and Content Creation Influence Trends
Streaming affects which games stay visible. Canadian creators on platforms like Twitch and YouTube tend to focus on a narrow set of titles, sometimes for years. That consistency matters more than viral reach. Developers benefit when games remain present in everyday viewing habits rather than peaking once. For many viewers, watching gameplay is now routine entertainment. It sits alongside sports highlights and long-form video rather than replacing them.
A Connected and Maturing Industry
By 2022, close to 60,000 people were working in Canada’s gaming industry, and most of those jobs were in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. Around 83% of developers are based there, so studios tend to circle the same cities. Hiring has been messy lately. Some teams shrank, others merged, and a lot of roles changed shape. Senior positions and pay kept moving up, though. That’s usually what happens when an industry stops trying to grow fast and starts settling in, which is what Canada’s gaming industry is starting to feel like.
