Toronto/CMEDIA: June has officially been proclaimed by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow as Video Game Month in Toronto.
“Toronto’s gaming industry reflects the best of our city. It is creative, diverse and forward-thinking. Video Game Month is an invitation to celebrate this growing sector and the talented people behind it and to discover how gaming connects with art, innovation and our local communities,” Olivia Chow said.
This official proclamation kicks off a dynamic showcase of the city’s prominent video game and esports industry, featuring indie game showcases, global esports tournaments and leading industry conferences.
Toronto will mark Video Game Month Throughout June, with more than 40 events, ranging from high-profile esports competitions and professional summits to indie game festivals and creative tech showcases.
Many events being free and open to the public offer exciting opportunities to explore, play and connect with Toronto’s dynamic game development and digital media scene.
A snapshot of featured programming is as follows:
- Riot Games VALORANT Masters (Saturday, June 7 to Sunday, June 22): A global esports event featuring art activations and charity initiatives that is expected to attract more than 20,000 attendees and create $40 million in economic impact.
- Toronto Games Week (Thursday, June 12 to Wednesday, June 18): A citywide indie games celebration featuring Live Action Role Playing games, workshops, talks, exhibits and community-curated experiences.
- Giant Video Games (Thursday, June 12): A public kickoff to Toronto Games Week, presented by the City, celebrating the local industry in collaboration with OCADU and Interactive Ontario.
- XP Game Summit (Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13): Toronto’s premier B2B video game conference connecting global professionals for networking, sharing knowledge, insights and exploring partnership opportunities.
- Toronto Tech Week (Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27): A citywide celebration of Toronto’s booming tech sector, with more than 180 events connecting and celebrating Toronto’s tech community.
A full list of events is available at the City’s website.
Being home to more than 180 digital media companies, many of which are Toronto’s game developers creating content enjoyed around the world.
The video game industry’s deep connections to the city’s film, animation and visual effects sectors, contributes to Toronto’s economic vitality and global reputation as a cultural and innovation hub.
Ontario has more than 270 video game studios employing more than 6,000 people, with most headquartered in Toronto.
Aligning with the Sidewalks to Skylines: Action Plan for Toronto’s Economy and Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto, Video Game Month supports equity and access, promoting innovation and quality jobs and celebrating Toronto’s diverse creative industries.
It also supports the City’s “Love Local” campaign by elevating homegrown talent and businesses across the digital media landscape.
