Vancouver: the Place to Be for Gaming Startups and Established Gaming Companies

Vancouver, in the lower mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, is a hub for professionals looking to make their fortune. As well as serving filmmakers with a superb location, which many have made use of, the city has a thriving art, theatre, and music scene. Besides the arts, local food, the circular economy, green design and construction, a green economy, tech and digital are other strong industries in Vancouver. 

Delving deeper into tech, video effects (VFX, animation, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed realities are also robust industries in Vancouver. Video gaming is going strong, too, so if you’re starting up a video game company or already running one, or even if you want to work in the gaming industry, you might want to consider Vancouver in your operations. Below is a look at the potential of Vancouver as a video gaming hub, the benefits of running a video game company from Vancouver, and at the future of gaming in the city. 

Go Vancouver gaming 

Vancouver is a video gaming industry powerhouse. More than 179 video game developers operate in the city and can rub shoulders with related industries such as the different realities, tech, digital, and esports companies. 

Vancouver’s strength is reinforced by the fact that the city attracts so much talent. Anyone looking to start a video gaming business and hire employees for it has come to the right place. The lucrative job opportunities, the educational facilities, the lifestyle and the prioritization of work-life balance are all big draws for professionals wishing to pursue a career or even change sectors. 

The vast amount of opportunities, facilities, and skills leads to others diversifying their skills and working together in creative new ways. Vancouver oozes potential.

Why choose Vancouver for your video gaming venture?

For one, the entry barrier into video game development has lowered. Several independent game studios have received widespread support and become popular on game storefronts such as the Nintendo eShop, the Microsoft Store, the PlayStation Store, and more. Being in a location like Vancouver that fosters the conditions for success can make entry into the market even more possible. 

Here are some more reasons to choose Vancouver:

Funding

The Canadian government is keen to support anyone who develops games in Canada and offers funding and various tax incentives. 

Companies that are developing games or have already published them can apply for the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR and ED) tax credit, which they can apply retroactively to costs such as labor, materials, overheads, and contractors. The companies must be seeking to overcome an obstacle or challenge, or uncertainty, and must be able to conduct their research in Canada.

Companies developing games can also apply for the National Research Council’s (NRC’s) Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). This federal government grant supports research into made-in-Canada technologies that carry a level of technical risk and uncertainty. 

Looking to promote your game in foreign markets? Again, the federal government wants to help. The CanExport SME program grant can support marketing activities such as websites, SEO, IP certifications, market research, and, depending on the circumstances, trade shows and related travel. For example, if you’re developing online slots in Canada, which are accessible online and, as a result, to players anywhere in the world, this grant could interest you. Digital marketing is an important part of online gaming companies’ strategy to attract new players. 

Connections

Vancouver is a terrific place to make connections with people in the startup and gaming communities, which are tightly knit and supportive. You can expect a little friendly competition, but ultimately, everyone is driven by the fact that the next big game could come out of Canada. Not only might you come across CEOs and founders of gaming companies, or some of the talents that support them, such as developers, designers, marketers, and other resources, but also investors who may be willing to back your game or business.

A view to the future

In an industry as innovative as video gaming and a location that sets up businesses so well for success as Vancouver, anything can happen. The growth of mobile means the industry in Vancouver could see more of a push towards mobile game development. 

The industry may also see more independent game makers enter it. A lot of companies in Vancouver had been making games or developing underlying software or technology for Microsoft or for Activision Blizzard. In October 2023, however, the two companies finalized a merger, with Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard. This creates spaces for more independent gaming companies to enter Vancouver. 

Vancouver offers a host of opportunities for anyone wishing to get into the video gaming space, whether as a business founder or as a skilled design or development professional. Vancouver, not to mention the federal government, embraces anyone trying to develop gaming businesses and supports them as much with a hospitable environment that strives to foster successful endeavors.