B.C.’s digital media representatives are preparing to showcase their skills in video game development, innovative virtual reality software and other gaming tools at the premier Game Developers Conference in San Francisco next week.

The annual Games Developers Conference (GDC), Feb. 27-March 3, 2017, is the place to be for anyone in the game developers industry. GDC is the world’s largest and longest-running professionals-only game industry event and is expected to attract more than 25,000 people.

The venue offers a place for everyone involved in game development to share ideas, promote their newest products, connect with potential investors and help shape the future of the industry. Forty B.C. companies are registered to participate in the conference.

British Columbia has one of the top video game clusters in the world, with more than 120 game development studios employing 5,500 professionals. Examples of B.C. companies demonstrating their digital media technologies and games include:

• Kelowna’s KinematicSoup Technologies Inc. will be promoting Scene Fusion, featuring  real-time collaboration using Unity 3D, allowing designers to work together to build a game.
• Burnaby-based Motive.io is launching its location-AR platform, which enables clients to author, customize and test their augmented reality game ideas. A free trial account will be made available to conference attendees and to others online on their website.

British Columbia will be exhibiting at the Canada Pavilion to promote the B.C. game development sector and the many advantages of setting up a game development studio in the province. The goal will be to bring B.C.’s video game developers face-to-face with partners and investors they need to connect with to expand into the United States, as well as bring potential new investments back into B.C.

The Province has supported B.C. companies at GDC for the past four years giving B.C. players the promotion they need to gain awareness among investors. B.C. will be providing on-the-ground support and resources for conference attendees who have questions about immigration and living and working in B.C.

The B.C. government works with organizations such as Creative BC, DigiBC and HQ Vancouver to promote cutting-edge companies while raising awareness of B.C. as a growing tech hub for video game development.

The #BCTECH Strategy is a key component of the BC Jobs Plan to support the growth of B.C.’s vibrant technology sector and strengthen British Columbia’s diverse knowledge-based economy. The 10-year strategy includes a $100-million BC Tech Fund and initiatives to increase talent development and market access for tech companies that will drive innovation and productivity throughout the province.

Quotes:

Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism–

“The B.C. government is proud to support B.C.’s game developers at the Game Developers Conference. With the gaming industry changing almost daily, GDC is the premier event to help developers keep up with the latest trends and learn about the latest technology. Each new connection has the potential to translate into new jobs for British Columbians, boosting B.C.’s already thriving video game sector.”

Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services –

“I’m amazed by the advances being made by B.C.’s game developers and am proud to watch Scene Fusion and Motive.io’s location-AR platforms go head-to-head with competing innovation at this year’s Game Developers Conference. Video games are touted as a gateway to the tech sector, converting today’s young players into tomorrow’s graphic designers, developers and entrepreneurs. Through our #BCTECH Strategy, our government is seizing on this opportunity by introducing coding to B.C.’s school curriculum, helping build future talent to drive this sub-sector.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“British Columbia has earned its reputation as one of the top video game hubs in the world, with more than 120 game development studios employing 5,500 professionals in our province. With $2.3 billion in annual sales, the gaming and digital media sub sectors are significant contributors to British Columbia’s economic well-being. ”

Justin McMichael, co-founder and CEO, KinematicSoup Technologies Inc. –

“As an innovative provider for the interactive and new media industry, we attend GDC to promote our brand, raise awareness and interact with customers. GDC provides a good venue for networking and it is a good reason to connect with our bay-area contacts.”

Ryan Chapman, CEO, Motive.io –

“We're excited to be at GDC 2017 representing the B.C. games and technology industries. The B.C. government has been extremely supportive in our development efforts to create our amazing location-AR platform.”

Quick Facts:

• The digital media industry is a sub-sector of B.C.’s much larger technology sector. This sub-sector includes video game development, augmented and virtual reality, social media, interactive marketing and e-learning.
• Major companies include Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Capcom, Disney Interactive, Hot Head Games and Relic Entertainment.
• Digital media companies in B.C. develop products used in health care, education and a number of other fields.

Learn More:

2017 Game Developers Conference: http://www.gdconf.com/

Creative BC, the independent agency responsible for developing and promoting creative industries in B.C.: http://www.creativebc.com/

DigiBC, B.C.’s industry association making B.C.’s digital industries stronger and more influential through education, networking and public policy: http://digibc.org

#BCTECHStrategy: https://bctechstrategy.gov.bc.ca/economy/bc-tech-strategy/

A backgrounder follows.