ReportESAC – Entertainment Software Association of Canada
Faits Essentiels 2013 : Canada
1 Jan 201319 pages~12 min full read
Canada is the world's third-largest video game developer and leads globally on a per-capita basis, with the industry contributing $2.3 billion annually to the national economy.
The sector employs over 16,500 full-time workers across 329 studios, with 68% of that workforce concentrated in the 12% of firms classified as large studios.
Quebec is the industry hub with 8,750 employees, followed by British Columbia with 5,150, while Ontario’s market is defined by a high density of micro-studios focused on mobile and casual gaming.
While 84% of studios are developing for mobile platforms, console development remains the primary driver of the largest budgets and team sizes.
The average industry professional in Canada is 31 years old and earns an annual salary of $72,500.
58% of Canadians are gamers, with a demographic split of 54% men and 46% women, the latter of whom show a preference for computer-based card games, puzzles, and mobile platforms.
The ESRB rating system is highly effective, with 93% of adult gamers reporting that it assists them in making informed purchasing decisions for children.
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.
