There haven’t been many, if any industries that can rival that of the film industry, but this is exactly what videogames have done. For example, in 2013, the movie industry generated $35.9 billion dollars, whereas the video game industry managed to pull in $70.4 that same year. While video games have now been around for several decades, never has a feat such as this been accomplished. More and more people are going to videogames as their entertainment medium of choice and this is happening for several reasons.
First, the graphics that video game consoles are now able to render are approaching life like in terms of realism. The ability to tell complex and interesting stories, once the domain of movies is now very much a reality. Players can associate with characters in the game, generate feelings and emotion based on what happens in the games and feel a connection more so than they have ever been able to in the past. Video games allow players to live out fantasies as they play the hero or heroine, doing things they would never be able to do in their real lives.
The Industry in Canada is Growing
Canada currently ranks third in the world in terms of video game developing nations behind Japan and the United States. In the last twenty years, companies such as Ubisoft and EA Canada, responsible for some of the industries biggest titles have created and opened development studios here that employ over two thousand employees each. It’s said that there are over fourteen thousand people currently employed directly in the video game industry in Canada, and this shows no signs of slowing down.
So what’s the driving force behind this surge of development here in Canada? Several things according to the CEOs and other high level employees in these companies, such as:
- Tax breaks
- Government subsidies
- Natural talent amongst the population
- Post secondary education programs focused on game development
The demand for quality content as more players start playing is also contributing significantly, as new genres of games become more widely accepted. Mobile and casual games in particular have seen large growth in the last half dozen years and this has only proven to supplement and already growing industry.
Canada’s digital game sector in 2016 according to the National Post in numbers:
Employed: 20.400 people
Number of Studios: 470
Range of tax credits to cut labour cost of video game studios in Canada: 17.5% – 50%
Estimated contribution to Canada’s GDP: $3B
Career Prospects For Would Be Game Developers
There has literally never been a better time to get into the video game industry then today. There is so much growth that development studios are currently having a hard time keeping up with demand. Luckily, Canada houses some of the best online technology courses available today for people looking to learn the skills it takes to be successful in this amazing industry. Students can learn from the comfort of their own home and at the pace that they’re most comfortable with while learning the skills they’ll need to excel.
The gaming industry caters to young talent. There are many perks of working in this industry that young talent will gravitate towards such as above average salaries, generous benefits packages, financial compensation in addition to their salaries in the form of retirement contributions, royalties, stock options and bonuses. Additionally, working in the video game industry allows employees to explore their passions for gaming and storytelling, while also working with and developing new tech. There is also the fact that while deadlines must be met and the work must still get done, video game studios tend to allow their employees to work in a more casual work environment that matches well with a younger workforce. Often times, employees enjoy a stress free environment when they’re trying to work, and research has shown that employees that are less stressed and are allowed some freedoms while at work tend to be more productive and produce better work.
All of these perks are welcome and are helping grow the industry as a whole as more people produce more content for gamers around the world to experience. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to work in this fun, exciting and specialized industry, including 2D- and 3D-simulation, it’s recommended that you look into a program or course at your local college or university and get started today. Let your creativity shine in this booming industry.
