The Canadian Video Game Industry 2019

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Canadian video game companies were estimated to generate $3.6 billion in revenue in 2019, growth of 15% since 2017, with 76% from export markets outside Canada.See it on page 3
02
The industry supports an estimated 48,000 full-time equivalents in total, including 27,700 directly employed by video game companies, which is 28% more than in 2017.See it on page 3
03
Companies employing more than 100 people are 5% of companies but account for 79% of direct FTEs in the industry.See it on page 15
04
The industry's total GDP contribution was estimated at $4.5 billion in 2019, 20% higher than in 2017, while the Canadian economy grew by 5% over the same period.See it on page 36
05
The number of Canadian video game companies rose 16% from 596 in 2017 to 692 in 2019, with Micro companies up 65%.See it on page 10
06
Women made up 19% of the video game workforce in 2019, up from 16% in 2017.See it on page 26

Summary

The document is the 2019 edition of an economic impact assessment of Canada's video game industry, prepared by Nordicity for the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC). It is based principally on an online survey of Canadian-based video game companies conducted between April and June 2019, with 182 responses, 138 of which provided detailed financial data, and the sample was grossed up to a universe of 692 companies. In 2019, the industry was estimated to have 692 active companies, a 16% increase since 2017. Direct employment reached an estimated 27,700 FTEs, 28% higher than in 2017, and total employment impact including spin-off reached 48,000 FTEs. Estimated revenue was $3.6 billion, up 15% since 2017, with 76% of revenue coming from exports outside Canada. Expenditure was estimated at $3.2 billion, with about two-thirds relating to labour. Total GDP contribution was estimated at $4.5 billion, 20% higher than in 2017, while the Canadian economy grew by 5% over the same period. The average salary for a full-time employee was about $75,900, 2% lower than in 2017, and women made up 19% of the workforce.