Gamescom 2025 is Almost Here, and Ontario is Ready!
This year, we’re bringing our largest delegation yet, with over 25 Ontario-based studios heading to Cologne, Germany, for the world’s biggest B2C video game conference. Interactive Ontario will be on the ground, so if you’d like to connect, be sure to reach out to our team. We can’t wait to see Ontario-made games shine on the show floor and beyond.
Travel Update: Air Canada Strike Risk
With the recent news of a potential Air Canada strike, we encourage all Ontario developers planning to attend Gamescom 2025 to join the Interactive Ontario Discord. Many participants are already sharing travel tips and solutions to navigate this challenge.
To request access to our gamescom 2025 channel, please email communications@interactiveontario.com.
Applications Closing Soon!: Work Placement Program for Black Youth and Emerging Professionals Almost FULLY BOOKED
Interactive Ontario, with the support of the Government of Ontario, is now accepting applications for the 2025–2026 cycle of our Work Placement Program for Black Youth and Emerging Professionals.
This program provides 12 wage subsidies of $6,000 each to help employers hire Black youth interns (ages 19 to 35, living in Ontario, and legally eligible to work in Canada). Each subsidy covers 300 hours of paid work.
Spots are filling up quickly, and the program is almost fully booked. If you are interested, we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible to secure one of the few remaining placements.
First-Come, First-Served, Based on Matching
Here’s how it works:
- IO will contact employers in the order in which the forms were submitted.
- Employers will then have a limited time (a maximum of one month) to select an intern, either from IO’s curated resume database of over 300 Black youth and emerging professionals in the video game and XR sectors, or by sourcing a candidate independently (who must then register through our database). Interns must be 19 to 35 years old, living in Ontario, and legally allowed to work in Canada.
- The internship must be completed by March 1st, 2026
For program details, visit our program description page.
Questions? Contact us at internship@interactiveontario.com.
IO Members Receive VGLX Ticket Discount
As mentioned in our previous newsletter, Interactive Ontario is proud to support VGLX (Video Game Live Expo), a new two-day fan-first gaming convention taking place October 25–26 at the Mississauga Convention Centre.
Interactive Ontario Members receive a 10% discount on VGLX tickets, so please contact our team today to receive your code!
With dedicated spaces like an introvert lounge and themed engagement zones, VGLX aims to reflect the diversity and vibrancy of today’s gaming culture. This is a must-attend event for industry stakeholders, creators, and fans.
Partner Spotlight: Xsolla
Meet with Xsolla at devcom & gamescom 2025!
Catch Xsolla at devcom (August 18–19) and gamescom (August 20–22) as they bring global gaming opportunities together.
Join them at the Xsolla Clubhouse powered by AccelByte, their gamescom booth in Hall 2.2, A-030, speaker sessions, or their signature Xsolla Mixer.
They’ll be everywhere you want to be.
Our Mission: To inspire, unite and enable Ontario’s video game and interactive digital media community to achieve long-term growth and prosperity.
