VICTORIA - British Columbia’s innovative and creative casual games industry will showcase their talents at the professionals-only Casual Connect conference in San Francisco today and tomorrow.

The B.C. government will be there to support them by providing meeting space and business-to-business matchmaking.

Vancouver-based Imaginary Games will be featured in the IDEA Showcase at the conference and their social mobile game Afterland is highlighted in the latest issue of Casual Connect magazine.

Games companies attend conferences like Casual Connect to raise their profile and network with key contacts. With over 67 games studios in British Columbia, the province has shown that it is a magnet for talent and an ideal location for investment in the industry.

British Columbia`s U.S.-based international trade and investment representative, along with trade commissioners from Canadian consulates in Seattle, Palo Alto, Los Angeles and Denver, have been working closely to ensure a successful outcome for Canadian and B.C. companies.

Casual Connect is the premiere event in North America for the casual games industry with over 3,000 industry professionals attending each year. The conference brings together the most talented and knowledgeable experts in the casual gaming field to further the industry through networking and learning.

B.C. businesses attending the expo include:

• Codename Entertainment
• East Side Games
• Hidden Door Interactive
• Hothead Games
• Imaginary Games
• Infobip
• Magnetic North Games
• KANO/APPS
• Playerize
• Roadhouse Interactive
• TinyMob Games
• Vanedge Capital
• YMC Network

Quotes:

Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade -

“British Columbia game studios are recognized worldwide for their expertise in game development. Events like this provide a venue for B.C. companies to network with potential clients and build relationships with game studios and publishers worldwide. With our talented workforce British Columbia is an ideal location for trade and investment.”

Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services -

“B.C.’s technology and gaming industry is growing fast, creating new exports and jobs. Our tech sector entrepreneurs attending this conference will have a great opportunity to network and to receive mentoring on how they can expand their markets and increase their sales.”

Amar P. Kurani, CEO, Hidden Door Interactive, Inc. -

“We will be showcasing our game, Happy Flock, at Casual Connect's Indie Prize Showcase this year. The B.C. International Trade and Investment Office has given Hidden Door a great head start in making connections to find opportunities for both our game and our team.”

Christopher Powell, CEO, Imaginary Games - 

“Afterland is an exceptional project that has attracted several outstanding individuals from Vancouver's deep talent pool of artists and developers. We are united by the goal to challenge social and gender stereotypes often found in games.”

Eric Jordan, CEO, Codename Entertainment -

“We are proud to be part of the growing community of video game companies in Victoria. Casual Connect provides an opportunity for us to expand our business. The B.C. and Canadian governments play a key role in connecting us with new partners.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C.'s technology sector accounts for $23.2 billion in annual revenue.
• Over 67 game studios are located in B.C. and support 5,150 full time jobs.
• British Columbia offers targeted incentives to encourage business investment and innovation in digital media.
• Each year 3,000 graduates from British Columbia’s post-secondary programs enter the media industry.
• British Columbia’s game development companies are more established than the Canadian average, with a media age of 9.4 years.

Learn More:

Trade and Invest B.C: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/

BC Jobs Plan: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Hidden Door Interactive Inc: http://hiddendoorinteractive.com/

Imaginary Games: http://www.imaginarygames.ca/

Codename Entertainment: http://www.codenameentertainment.com/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade and Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
778 977-0298