If you are familiar with game design, then you’d know that there are excellent design studios worldwide. In addition, if you are an American who enjoys playing games, then you must understand that every game isn’t made in the United States. There is a beautiful place further in the North called Canada. 

Within Canada, some brilliant, talented individuals work as game developers & game designers. 

Below is a list of the best gaming companies in Canada. 

Best Gaming Companies in Canada 

Video games are a significant contributor to the Canadian economy. In addition, Canada is known to develop some of the most beloved games. 

You wouldn’t believe the company added over $3 billion to Canada’s GDP. Well, here are the top gaming studios that you must know about! 

  • Sarbakan 

Sarbakan was established in 1988. In its early years, the company focussed on creating web-based games. Over 600 games were created till 2008. In addition, the company has over 85 people based out of Quebec City, Canada. 

In the later 2000s, Sarbakan began creating games for Xbox Live Arcade, such as Lazy Raiders (2010). Moreover, they also generated Nintendo DS titles, like Johnny Test. 

In 2012, the company partnered with Disney & created ‘Where’s my water’ for mobile platforms. It was a game that won multiple awards. 

  • Relic Entertainment 

Another one of the top gaming companies in Canada is Relic Entertainment, which started in 1997. In 2004, it was bought by THQ & then in 2013; it was sold to Rega. 

Relic Entertainment’s forte has been RTS, i.e., real-time strategy games. In 1999, they released Homeworld, which was a great success in the RTS game. They are also responsible for the Warhammer 40,000 games, along with Company Of Heroes. They are based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Their company size is between 51 – 200 employees. 

  • Radical Entertainment 

Radical Entertainment is yet another Canadian game design studio based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Sierra Entertainment acquired them in 2005 & further Activision took over the company in 2008. They created The Crash Bandicoot series & Prototype series. 

Unfortunately, Activision drastically reduced the company’s size after the Prototype 2 launch didn’t find the expected success in 2012. 

It’s no longer developing its games but serving as a support team for different Activision projects. Despite having a great fall from its glory, this game studio still manages to have a spot on this list. 

  • Next Level Games 

Next Level Games is the third game studio based in Vancouver. There are 70 employees who have made the company excel right from 2002. Their work in Nintendo is what basically put them on the map for more gamers. They were responsible for releasing titles like Marino Strikers, Punch-Out, etc. 

In addition, this game studio also developed Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, which was well-received. They also have a game for an August release, i.e., Metroid Prime Federation Force. 

It will be fascinating to see what happens as, so far, the fans have been reacting negatively to the trailers & the press surrounding this game.

  • Hothead Games 

Hothead Games is yet another one of the top gaming companies in Canada. This game is home to over 120 employees. In 2009, they began porting the acclaimed game Braid to PS3 & Mac. 

The most well-known creation of this company is On The Rain-Slick Precipice Of Darkness, which is an episodic, role-playing game series. The game was based on a webcomic called Penny Arcade. 

Recently, the company has released titles, like Big Win NHL & Boom Boom Soccer, for mobile downloads. Hothead was established in 2006, thus making it the youngest gaming company/ studio on this list!

  • HB Studios 

The year 2000 witnessed the birth of HB Studios. Founded by Jeremy Wellard, the studio is based out in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. With just 9 employees to begin, the studio/ company cranked out Cricket 2002 for Asia Pacific EA Studio. 

Four years after the establishment of HB Studios, it entered into an agreement with EA Canada to continue developing cricket & rugby games. 

In March 2016, the company declared their impending physics-driven snowboarding game, enabling you to design your own mountain parks & even the entire mountain ranges. The game is called Infinite Air. 

  • Big Blue Bubble 

Big Blue Bubble is an independent mobile game-developing giant behind a world-class game, i.e., My Singing Monsters. The company is in London, Ontario & has an employee force ranging from 51-200 employees. 

The company/ studio began in 2004 & went on to become the largest independent mobile game-developing company/ studio in Canada. In addition, the company has also created The Mobile Game, which was very well-received.

  • Beenox 

Beenox is a game design studio based out of Quebec City & has over 330 people. This is yet another company under the parent company, i.e., Activision. The company became famous in the realm of porting games for other systems. In the early 2000s, they ported games, like the Tony Hawk franchise, to Mac & PC.    

Recently, they ported Black Ops III to Xbox 360 & PS3. One of the games that they created is Bee Movie Game. It is based on the Bee Movie. Well, clearly, there’s a bee fascination somewhere in the studio!     

  • Bioware 

Situated in Edmonton, Alberta, Bioware is a powerhouse RPG developer. Their original IP content includes games such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Jade Empire, etc. 

In addition, they can also crush it with licensed franchises, i.e., Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic, Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, etc. 

The company came into being in 1995 & had ten years of independence before entering into a partnership. Well, the partnership was purchased two years later by EA. Thus, the company has continued putting out some great RPG Games. 

  • Behavior Interactive

Behaviour Interactive is one of the greatest gaming companies in Canada. This studio has had a name-change journey since its establishment in 1992. 

 

During its inception, the name of the company was Advanced IT Institute. However, it was sold in 1996 to Malofilm Communications, who changed the name to Behavior Interactive. 

Well, it was reacquired by the original founder in 1999, who changed the name & decided on Artificial Mind & Movement, Inc. 

Furthermore, in 2010, the name was changed back to Behavior Interactive. In recent years, the company has created Fallout Shelter, which is a mobile game based on the Fallout Franchise, which lets you run your vault.   

Moreover, they also developed a Warhammer 40,000 game, which was released in 2016.  

  

Conclusion 

Game development companies/ studios refine the game plans to make it advantageous for the users to enjoy whatever game they are playing. Whether one wants a single-player/ multiplayer game, game design companies work delicately to develop an error-free game. 

Tell us in the comments below which game from these studios you like the most!