A Quebec-produced video game titled “South of Midnight,” set in a fictionalized rendition of the American Deep South, clinched the top prize at the recent Canadian Game Awards. This victory highlights a prevalent issue in Canada’s gaming sector.
Canada plays a significant role in the global gaming industry, with numerous studios, big and small, employing thousands and contributing $5.5 billion to the country’s GDP, as reported by the Entertainment Software Association of Canada. Despite this, Canadian-made games rarely feature recognizable Canadian settings.
This disparity was evident at the awards ceremony, where none of the Game of the Year nominees showcased Canadian locales, although a video segment praised Canadian developers for their contributions to the industry.
Some Canadian game developers express challenges in pitching explicitly Canadian games to investors. However, others believe that Canada’s landscapes, cities, and values offer untapped creative potential, especially amidst cultural and economic tensions with the U.S.
Guillaume Provost, head of Compulsion Games, the studio behind “South of Midnight,” emphasized the importance of expanding beyond typical Canadian themes in game development while also encouraging more representation of Canadian content.
Despite the hurdles, a shift is occurring as certain independent studios create games with explicit Canadian roots. The debate among creators revolves around whether emphasizing Canadian identity in games enhances their appeal or presents marketing challenges.
The XP Gaming Summit, held near the awards venue in Toronto, saw developers, mainly from indie studios, engaging in meetings to secure funding for their projects. Many games featured common genres like fantasy or science fiction with subtle Canadian references.
Developers have previously indicated that setting games in explicit Canadian locations might face resistance from investors. Sean Browning, an indie developer working on “Retroronto,” faced feedback that a Toronto setting might not have global market appeal, prompting him to rethink his funding strategy.
Joel Burgess from Soft Rains challenged the notion that Canadian-themed games are unmarketable, emphasizing the potential to tell unique Canadian stories within the gaming landscape.
Despite differing opinions, some developers, like the team behind “Ambrosia Sky,” a sci-fi game with Canadian undertones, believe in weaving Canadian values into their narratives, showcasing communal care and resilience.
While some creators explore new worlds in their games, others like Ravine Studios are unapologetically Canadian, drawing inspiration from iconic Canadian landscapes for their game “North Shore,” set in wintry northern Ontario.
The industry’s diversity allows for a range of narratives, with opportunities to celebrate local culture and share it globally. Provost highlighted the power of embracing one’s local culture in creating impactful gaming experiences that resonate worldwide.
