Interactive Ontario

Does your Ontario studio need to level up its marketing game? 🚀 Applications for the ISB Marketing & Discoverability Bootcamp are NOW OPEN and spots are limited! 10 Ontario indie studios will be selected for a full-day, in-person deep dive into video game marketing. Three hands-on workshops. Four world-class experts. One day to transform your studio's marketing strategy. Meet the instructors: 🕹️Chris Chancey (@indie.asylum ) - Market Research and Validation 🕹️Jenny Windom (@wholesomegames ) - Community Building and Management 🕹️Krysta Yang & Kit Ellis @kitandkrysta (Never A Minute Marketing) - Brand Marketing and Key Message Architecture Every participating studio walks away with two complimentary VIP tickets to @xpgaminginc XP Game Summit 2026 (May 21 to 22, Hyatt Regency Toronto), a $1,000+ value. 🗓️ May 20, 2026 (the day before XP Game Summit!) 📍 Toronto, Ontario 🎟️ $149 CAD + HST for IO Members Apply through the link in our bio. Deadline to apply is May 8, 2026, at 5:00 pm ET

What happens when 160 student projects from 20 Ontario post-secondary schools come together with over 150 judges and thousands of fans and industry professionals? You get the legendary Level Up Student Showcase (LUS) @leveluptostudentshowcase Interactive Ontario was proud to partner with LUS, including the opportunity to organize VIP tours highlighting the emerging talent shaping Ontario's interactive entertainment industry. Among our distinguished guests were Minister Cho, Mayor Chow and Michael Schmalz. Their remarks during the awards ceremony spoke powerfully to the strength of our country, province, and industry. Other VIP’s included MP Coteau, Mathieu Chantelois, Joy Loewen, Richard Koo, and Ana Serrano None of this would have been possible without the outstanding people and volunteers behind LUS. This includes @xpgaminginc (Jason Lepine). A special shoutout to the LUS Board - Emma Westecott, Steve Engels, Dina Sabie, Dushan Horvat, and Jeremy Leipert for their tireless dedication in bringing this vision to life year after year. It was also wonderful to see so many Interactive Ontario members and partners participating, including several who were sponsors of the event. This included @behaviour_interactive @ubisofttoronto @blueocean.games @ontariocreates @cityofto @havenstudiosinc @puzzle.cats and @ukengames Thank you to all of the professors and instructors who helped guide these students. Most importantly, congratulations to every student who brought their creativity and talent to this momentous showcase. You are the future of Ontario's interactive entertainment industry. #LevelUp #LUS26 #OntarioGames @cmf.fmc

Excellent news for Canada's creative industries: the federal government has permanently renewed the Creative Export Strategy, with $95M over five years and $19M annually thereafter. This renewal is the result of sustained, collective advocacy by Canada's creative sectors, and a clear signal that the federal government champions the global ambitions of Canadian creative businesses. For Interactive Ontario's members and their peers across Canada, this is particularly meaningful. The interactive digital media sector generates 88% of its revenues from exports, making it one of the most export-driven creative sectors in Canada and a natural fit for programs like Creative Export Canada. We applaud Minister Miller and his team for their commitment to Canada's creative industries on the world stage. The 2026–2027 Export-Ready Stream application period is now open, with a deadline of June 10, 2026. The deadline for the Export Development stream will be announced in a few weeks. Learn more about the program: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/creative-export-canada/export-ready-stream.html Full press release: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2026/05/supporting-the-growth-of-canadas-creative-industries-in-global-markets.html

Vote NOW! 🎮 The ESAC Fan Choice Award is live, and there are 50+ incredible games to choose from. The winner is decided entirely by fan votes, so this is your chance to show some love to your favourite Ontario game. Here's how it works: ▪️Vote once per day ▪️Top 10 finalists revealed May 4th ▪️Winner is announced live at the Canadian Game Awards! Vote now: https://theesa.ca/esac-fan-choice-award/ @esacanada @cgameawards #CanadianGameAwards #OntarioGaming

Yesterday's ISB Game Business Masterclass was a total hit.💥 A sold-out venue plus a great online presence from across Canada made for an engaged and dynamic audience. Thank you to all those who participated in the Masterclass, the quality of discussion and questions throughout the session were a testament to the engaged community you have created in Ontario. Thank you to our incredible instructor Jason Della Rocca, for sharing your in-depth industry knowledge with our many members at various development stages. This full day of programming was followed by a lively post event mixer, where attendees were able to continue networking with their peers. This event was made possible with the support of our sponsors. Government of Trade Commissioner Service (Vanessa Donia), @ontariocreates (Kim Gibson), @xsolla (Blair Dolson), Nordicity (Kristian Roberts & Charlotte Panneton), @ubisofttoronto , @xpgaminginc , @creativeartsfinancial (Nick Eddy), @amarvrlaw , @insertcoinacc (Matthew W. & Mitch Haflidson), and @livecast.ca (Nolan VanCooten & Christian Allison)

We’re halfway through and the ISB Game Business Masterclass with Jason Della Rocca is firing on all cylinders. It is a packed house and our attendees have been bringing some great questions. We are grateful to be able to provide the opportunity to connect and empower our members and the broader video game community with the tools they need to succeed. This event wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors. Government of Canada|Trade Commissioner Service, @ontariocreates @xsolla Nordicity @ubisofttoronto @xpgaminginc @creativeartsfinancial @amarvrlaw @insertcoinacc and @livecast.ca #ISB #GameDev

Applications are now open for the Gamescom 2026 Video Game IP Accelerator! Interactive Ontario, @ontariocreates , CIAIC, and the @cmf.fmc have teamed up to help Ontario studios land funding at one of the biggest gaming events in the world. Two tiers of support are available: Tier A - Market Ready, Tier B - Developmental. Both include B2B meeting access, pitch consulting, and on-the-ground support in Cologne. All for just $250 CAD + GST. To qualify you must: - Be an Ontario-based studio with Canadian ownership - Own the IP you're pitching - Produce PC, console, or mobile games with export potential Deadline: April 24th Spots are limited, so apply early! Apply👉https://bit.ly/4eokXBs ✈️Travel funding may also be available through Ontario Creates. #GameDev #Gamescom2026

If you’re an indie looking to improve your business this is the class for you. Thanks to the continued support of our partners and sponsors, ticket prices have been cut in half! Coming up on Tuesday, April 21st industry veteran Jason Della Rocca (Co-Founder, Execution Labs) will guide participants through funding, pitching, competitive analysis, and more. Everything your studio needs heading into XP Game Summit 2026 or if you’re just looking to sharpen your edge. The Masterclass will include: Post-event Networking Mixer at 3 Brasseurs - with a drink ticket included Complimentary breakfast, lunch & bottomless coffee Free personalized coaching sessions for IO members (apply ASAP!) In person Pricing: IO Member Price: $25 + tax Non-Member Price: $50 + tax 📍 Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, Toronto, ON (also available online) 🕤 9:30 AM, Tuesday April 21 Grab your ticket before it's too late 👇 https://bit.ly/41tScvI A virtual option is available for those who cannot attend in person. #ISB #GameDev

LevelUp 2026 is tomorrow April 7th in Toronto. An amazing opportunity for students to showcase their hard work and creativity in the world of video games. For those who can't make it out to see all the awesome student projects from around Ontario, Eh! Game is running a live Stream from the event from 5-8pm. Here: itch.tv/Twitchtoronto We hope to see you there!

A significant moment for Canada's Interactive Digital Media (IDM) industry, thanks to the @cmf.fmc The CMF delivered the largest budget increase our sector has ever seen: a 36% increase in IDM funding, from $42M to $57M. This followed extensive CMF consultation efforts involving The Canadian Interactive Alliance / L'Alliance Interactive Canadienne (CIAIC), of which Interactive Ontario (IO) is a member, including IO's own consultations with its members and advocacy committee, and sustained coast-to-coast CIAIC advocacy. Key highlights include the creation of a new pilot Third-Party Investment Stream within the Commercial Projects Program, with a new pilot recoupment policy, and eligible third-party investments, including public funds such as the Ontario Creates IP Fund. The latter is something that IO strongly advocated for, in collaboration with @ontariocreates . Additional highlights include the new eligibility of exhibition costs for immersive installations, and the return of two annual deadlines for the Prototyping Program. These outcomes reflect what is possible when industry speaks with one voice and all stakeholders collaborate towards a common goal. We are deeply grateful to our members, advocacy committee and board, our CIAIC colleagues and Executive Director Noah Decter-Jackson, @cdn.heritage , and the CMF team and board for their openness, collaboration, and shared commitment to elevating Canada's techno-creative sector on the world stage. Together, we are stronger. Learn More: https://bit.ly/41Fr3FZ @follow_digibc @digital.alberta @isns_hfx @interactivenb @laguildeqc @newmediamb @saskinteractive @innovation_pei @xnquebec

Don't miss your chance to learn more about the opportunities for Ontario indies in Brazil's video game market. Today at 1PM join us online with Marie-Carmelle Gélinas and Vanessa Donia from @global.affairs.canada Register through the link in our bio #ISB #GamescomLatam

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible IO members whose insights and ideas helped shape our voice at the National Summit on AI and Culture at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. We arrived in Banff equipped with a clear picture of the real opportunities and challenges facing our community. From hard questions around creators' rights and IP protection, to bold ideas for keeping human creativity at the centre of AI innovation, we made sure your voices were heard and your perspectives were considered. A special shout-out to Zina Rahman, Co-Founder & CEO of Interactive Ontario Member @transforms.ai , and Vice-Chair of the IO Board of Directors, who demoed #SimiaAI, a safeguarded real-time generative storytelling platform for kids and families, to Minister @marcmillervillemarie , Parliamentary Secretaries @davidmyles and @madeleine.chenette , Minister @evanljsolomon , Parliamentary Secretary @taleebnoormohamed , and their teams. You made us proud! Here's to new partnerships, collaborations, and policy frameworks that reflect the strength of our sector. We look forward to continuing this work together. #NationalSummitAIandCulture #AIandCulture #SimiaAI #CanadianTech