Faits Essentiels 2013 : Canada

The Canadian video game industry experienced significant growth and economic impact as of 2013, positioning Canada as the third-largest developer globally and the first on a per-capita basis. According to data from Nordicity and the NPD Group, the sector contributes $2.3 billion to the Canadian economy annually. The industry comprises 329 studios employing over 16,500 full-time workers, representing a 5% increase in employment from the previous year. While 88% of these firms are small or micro-enterprises, 68% of the total workforce is employed by the 12% of companies classified as large studios.

Geographically, the industry is concentrated in Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario. Quebec leads with 97 companies and 8,750 employees, supported by long-standing provincial tax credits. British Columbia follows with 5,150 employees, while Ontario’s sector is characterized by a high density of micro-studios and a rapid shift toward mobile and casual gaming. Nationally, the average industry professional is 31 years old with an average annual salary of $72,500.

The industry is undergoing a platform shift, with 84% of studios developing for mobile devices, although console development continues to command the largest budgets and team sizes. Consumer data indicates that 58% of Canadians are gamers, with a nearly even split between men (54%) and women (46%). While younger males favor consoles and action genres, older demographics and women show a preference for computer-based card games, puzzles, and mobile platforms. The study also highlights the effectiveness of the ESRB rating system, noting that 93% of adult gamers find it useful for making informed purchasing decisions for children.