Everything happening in the Ontario video games industry this week courtesy of Interactive Ontario and CONTINUE!

The 2025 Canadian Game Awards Nominees Are Here!

The full list of nominees for the 2025 Canadian Game Awards (CGAs) has been unveiled, and Ontario developers are shining brightly! This year’s fifth annual show, produced by Carl-Edwin Michel, will take place on February 15th at Toronto’s TIFF Lightbox.  

Notable Ontario-based nominees include:  

– Lil’ Guardsman (Hilltop Studios) – Nominated for Best Art Direction, Best Score, Best Narrative, and Best Audio Design.  

– Humberly González (Kay Vess in Star Wars: Outlaws) – Nominated for Best Performance.  

– Sarah_frags and Scarlett – Representing Ontario in the Esports Player category.  

– Esports organizations Luminosity Gaming, Shopify Rebellion, Toronto Defiant, and Toronto Ultra also dominate the Esports Organization category.  

Ontario’s gaming scene is well-represented this year. Check out the full list of nominees and get tickets here – and join us in celebrating our local talent!  

Indie developers, take note! A limited number of FREE spaces are available to showcase playable demos at the CGAs. Don’t miss this chance to showcase your talent on a national stage. 

Submit your game here. The deadline is January 24th, 2025.

Promising Canadian Games to Watch in 2025

MobileSyrup has released its list of Canadian games to watch in 2025, and the future of our gaming industry looks bright! Highlights include:  

– Sticky Brain’s Rooster

– Capy’s Battle Vision Network

– Digital Extremes’ Soulframe

– Mighty Yell’s All Systems Dance

These titles showcase the creativity and innovation that define Canadian game development. Mark your calendars for their release dates!  

Read Mobile Syrup’s full promising Canadian games in 2025 list here

The Crimson Diamond Earns Its Place Among the Best

Toronto-based game developer Julia Minamata has achieved a major milestone with her retro adventure game, The Crimson Diamond. The game was officially ranked as one of Metacritic’s Top 20 Games of 2024, a remarkable achievement for an EGA-style adventure game throwback.  

This success highlights the enduring appeal of nostalgic game design and the talent thriving in Ontario’s gaming scene.  

Check out The Crimson Diamond on Steam here

Celebrating Excellence in Canadian XR

This year’s Canadian Game Awards will feature a dedicated focus on Canadian XR, celebrating breakthroughs in virtual reality and augmented reality. From immersive gaming experiences to innovative tech solutions, the awards aim to spotlight Canada’s contributions to this cutting-edge field.  

Don’t miss the opportunity to see the latest advancements from Canada’s top XR creators at this year’s show! 

Stay tuned for bi-weekly updates on everything happening in the Ontario video game and immersive industries!