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

Level Up Showcase 2025 Lights Up Toronto

Canada’s largest student game showcase – Level Up Showcase – took place in Toronto on April 12th, bringing together 160 games from 23 post-secondary schools across Ontario. Organized by Algonquin College, Brock University, OCAD, and the University of Toronto – with major support from sponsors like Ubisoft, Uken Games, Sledgehammer Games, and BMO – the event was a vibrant celebration of the next generation of game devs. A surprise visit from Stan Cho, Ontario’s Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Gaming, added extra buzz as he toured student projects and chatted with creators on the floor.

More details here.  

Cococucumber Launches Ravenlok: Legendary Edition

Ravenlok: Legendary Edition is here! This enhanced version of Cococucumber’s hit Game Pass action-adventure arrived on Steam this month and includes revamped combat mechanics, reimagined enemies and bosses, four all-new levels, and a slew of quality-of-life improvements. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Cococucumber or diving in for the first time, there’s never been a better moment to experience Ravenlok.

Watch the trailer here. 

Brave New Wonders Showcased at INDIE Live Expo 2025

City from Naught’s upcoming title Brave New Wonders took the virtual stage at this year’s INDIE Live Expo, one of the world’s premier indie game showcases. It’s a big moment for Ontario-based talent, bringing international eyes to this ambitious, imaginative project.

Check out more details here. 

Lil Guardsman Featured in VICE 

Hilltop Studios continues to make waves with Lil Guardsman, which just got a feature in VICE. The article highlights the game’s narrative charm and Cartoon Network-inspired style, calling it a standout in the indie scene. It’s another big win for Ontario’s globally recognized game development community.

Read the full article here.

Blue Ocean Games Announces $30 Million Indie Game Fund

In exciting news for the indie game development community, Blue Ocean Games has unveiled a $30 million fund to back early-stage indie game creators around the world – and the fund will be based right here in Ontario. With South Korea’s Krafton as its sole investor, the Toronto-based venture led by former Krafton executive Damian Lee aims to invest in around 100 teams over the next three years through an innovative model called SAIL (Structured Agreement for Indie Launch), offering concept-stage funding, IP ownership, and practical support.

A centerpiece of their approach is the Rising Tide challenge, an ongoing competition designed to help developers validate ideas and fast-track funding opportunities. Focused on bridging the gap between developer passion and market demand, Blue Ocean Games is betting on fresh talent and bold new ideas to expand the future of gaming in Ontario, Canada, and beyond!

Learn more about the Blue Ocean Games news here.

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ISB Gamescom 2025! Ontario Studios, This One’s for You

Applications are now open for Interactive Ontario’s ISB Gamescom 2025: Pitch & Publisher Prep Program in partnership with SpielFabrique. This four-month online program kicks off in mid-May and is designed to get five Ontario studios fully prepped for success at Gamescom 2025.  

Participants will benefit from expert-led training on pitch development, publisher matchmaking, and event strategy, plus tailored written feedback for each studio. The program culminates in August at Gamescom (Cologne, Germany), where the selected few will have access to a dedicated booth, on-site resources, and high-value networking opportunities with European publishers and studios.

Apply here.

Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your global presence – applications are live now!

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