MONTREAL – November 8, 2023 – At the dawn of its third decade, Québec’s video game sector, valued at $1.4 billion, is one of the world’s top five production centres for the industry. With more than 280 studios, 86% of which are Quebec-owned, a study conducted by Habo Studio for La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec and funded by Behaviour Interactive explores the key factors behind this success.
The analysis of the results highlights four key elements in Québec’s emergence as a world leader in video games. First of all, Québec’s world-renowned creativity and international reputation attract the best video game developers and the most promising talent. Over the past three decades, the industry has experienced significant growth, marked by the arrival of major international studios and the presence of employees mostly with degrees in digital creativity and video games.
Québec’s geographic location and cultural ties with the United States and Europe strategically position Quebec studios to operate in both markets. The high quality of life in Quebec, especially in Montreal, as well as multiculturalism, play a crucial role as an attraction for talent. In addition, schools offering specializations in video game development help build a local talent pool.
In terms of workforce, nearly 15,000 people residing in Quebec are directly employed by the video game industry, and a large majority of them express high satisfaction and commitment. A passionate and collaborative community is also emerging, with developers and producers defining themselves first and foremost as gamers, contributing to the passion and pride they feel for their work.
In terms of innovation and agility, the developers and producers interviewed believe that the Québec video game industry is distinguished by advanced technical skills, strong team spirit, mutual support, curiosity and appreciated agility.
In conclusion, the report points out that thanks to a combination of technical expertise and creativity, Quebec excels in the video game industry, with productions enjoying great international success. In a rapidly expanding global industry, the province is well positioned to capitalize on future industry growth.
For more information on the study, please visit this page from the Video Game Guild in Quebec.
For more information on the study, please visit this page from the Video Game Guild in Quebec.
ABOUT THE GUILDE DU JEU VIDÉO DU QUÉBEC
The Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec is a non-profit cooperative that brings together independent and international video game developers, creators, educational institutions and entrepreneurs in related fields established in Quebec. A unified voice with more than 330 members and a global leader in the industry, The Guild is the largest group of its kind in the world.
ABOUT BEHAVIOUR INTERACTIVE
Behaviour Interactive is Canada’s largest game studio, with more than 1,300 employees worldwide.
Behaviour is best known for its flagship franchise, the multiplayer network survival horror game Dead by Daylight, which has amassed 60 million players across multiple platforms. The studio is currently expanding its original IP portfolio with multiple projects, including the recent launch of the base-building and raiding title titled Meet Your Maker. Behaviour has also established itself as one of the world’s leading providers of external development services.
The company has partnered with many leaders in the gaming industry, including Microsoft, Sony, EA, Warner, Netflix, and Take-Two, to name a few. For more than 30 years, Behaviour has developed an unrivalled and award-winning culture. The company was named one of the Best Workplaces in Canada by GamesIndustry.biz and received Deloitte Canada’s Enterprise Fast 15 and Best Managed Company awards. Headquartered in Montreal, Behaviour has expanded its global presence with studios in Toronto (Behaviour Toronto), Seattle (Midwinter Entertainment), the UK (Behaviour UK – North and Behaviour UK – South) and the Netherlands (Behaviour Rotterdam). For more information, visit www.bhvr.com.
Featured image credits: Games From Quebec / La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec
