Gamescom Program Deadline April 24, Masterclass Ticket Price Cut in Half, CMF Changes and Much More

Spring is here, and so is a packed slate of opportunities for Ontario’s video game and interactive entertainment industry. From our newly discounted Game Business Masterclass, a brand new Gamescom IP Accelerator for Ontario studios, highlighting Ontario’s fresh talent at Level Up Showcase, and a major funding win with the CMF, there’s a lot to celebrate, and even more to act on. Read on for details on all of these updates, and much more.

You’ve heard all about our upcoming Game Business Masterclass. Here are some new exciting updates for you!

• Thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors and partners, we have cut the ticket price for our Game Business Masterclass in half, down to just $25 plus tax for IO Members and $50 plus tax for non-members for in-person attendance.
• Personalized coaching will now be free to Interactive Ontario Members. Please apply here and you will be informed upon selection. If you are not yet a member of Interactive Ontario, you may still apply for this exciting coaching opportunity for a small fee. Details at the link above.
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and bottomless coffee
• The Networking Mixer afterwards will include a free drink for all attendees, and complimentary apps and snacks.

This is exactly the kind of event that sharpens the people behind your studio and gets everyone on the same page heading into a big year. If you are unable to attend yourself, this is an opportunity to scale up your team.

And if you are gearing up for XP Game Summit 2026, this masterclass is the perfect way to walk in prepared.

Where: Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, Toronto, ON / Online
When: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Networking Mixer to follow at 3 Brasseurs MicroBrewery, Toronto, ON

Thank you to Ontario Creates, Nordicity, Xsolla, Insert Coin, XP Gaming, Amar-VR Law, Global Affairs Canada, LiVECAST, Creative Arts Financial and Ubisoft Toronto for your support of the ISB Game Business Masterclass.

All the details can be found at the link below

Interactive Ontario, in partnership with Ontario Creates and the Canadian Interactive Alliance (CIAIC), is proud to announce the Gamescom 2026 Video Game IP Accelerator, a program designed to help Canadian studios secure funding through publishers, platforms, game funds, and other investors.

Gamescom is one of the biggest gaming events on the planet, and this program gets you in the room with the buyers who matter.

Two tiers of support are available:

Tier B (Developmental) — Perfect if you’re building your pitching confidence. You’ll get a Trade Visitor Pass, B2B meeting access via Meet-2-Match, pitch development consulting, and on-the-ground support from CIAIC staff in Cologne.

Tier A (Market Ready) — For studios ready to go after deals. Everything in Tier B, PLUS additional 1-on-1 pitch consulting, and direct matchmaking with publishers, game funds, and investors, including a private Pre-Gamescom Pitch Day in Cologne on August 25th.

Both tiers include attendance at the Canada Networking Event at the TCS Canada Booth.

All of this for just $250 CAD + GST registration fee.

To be eligible, your studio must:

• Be based in Ontario with Canadian ownership & control
• Own the IP for the project you’re pitching
• Be developing a PC, console, or mobile game with strong export potential
• Be attending Gamescom in Cologne, Germany in August 2026

Under-represented founders, including women, Indigenous professionals, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, will receive extra consideration.

Need help covering travel costs? Ontario studios can apply for support through the Ontario Creates Global Market Development Fund for the Interactive Industry. Application deadline: April 27th, 2026.

Applications close Friday, April 24th, 2026. Spots are limited, and selection is competitive, so get your application in early. Apply Below.

A significant moment for Canada’s Interactive Digital Media (IDM) industry, thanks to the Canada Media Fund.

The CMF delivered the largest budget increase our sector has ever seen: a 36% increase in IDM funding, from $42M to $57M.

This followed extensive CMF consultation efforts involving The Canadian Interactive Alliance / L’Alliance Interactive Canadienne (CIAIC), of which Interactive Ontario (IO) is a member, including IO’s own consultations with its members and advocacy committee, and sustained coast-to-coast CIAIC advocacy.

Key highlights include the creation of a new pilot Third-Party Investment Stream within the Commercial Projects Program, with a new pilot recoupment policy, and eligible third-party investments, including public funds such as the Ontario Creates IP Fund. The latter is something that IO strongly advocated for, in collaboration with Ontario Creates. Additional highlights include the new eligibility of exhibition costs for immersive installations, and the return of two annual deadlines for the Prototyping Program.

These outcomes reflect what is possible when industry speaks with one voice and all stakeholders collaborate towards a common goal. We are deeply grateful to our members, advocacy committee and board, our CIAIC colleagues and Executive Director Noah Decter-Jackson, Canadian Heritage, and the CMF team and board for their openness, collaboration, and shared commitment to elevating Canada’s techno-creative sector on the world stage.

Together, we are stronger.

What happens when 160 student projects from 20 Ontario post-secondary schools come together with over 150 judges and thousands of fans and industry professionals? You get the legendary Level Up Showcase (LUS).

Interactive Ontario was proud to partner with LUS, including the opportunity to organize VIP tours highlighting the emerging talent shaping Ontario’s interactive entertainment industry. Among our distinguished guests were Minister Stan Cho, Mayor Olivia Chow, and Michael Schmalz. Their remarks during the awards ceremony spoke powerfully to the strength of our country, province, and industry. Other VIP’s included MP Michael Coteau and CMF executives, among others.

None of this would have been possible without the outstanding people and volunteers behind LUS. This includes XP Gaming Inc. A special shoutout to the LUS Board for their tireless dedication in bringing this vision to life year after year.

It was also wonderful to see so many Interactive Ontario members and partners participating, including several who were sponsors of the event. This included Behaviour Interactive, Ubisoft Toronto, Blue Ocean Games, Ontario Creates, City of Toronto, Haven Studios Inc, Puzzle Cats, and Uken Games.

Thank you to all of the professors and instructors who helped guide these students. Most importantly, congratulations to every student who brought their creativity and talent to this momentous showcase. You are the future of Ontario’s interactive entertainment industry.

On March 9, 2026, Nordicity’s Kristian Roberts, alongside Jason Della Rocca (Execution Labs) and Johanna Nylander (Dataspelsbranschen), facilitated the Economic Policy and Ecosystem Workshop at the Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco.

Insights from the workshop (addressing key themes such as talent pipelines, indie game investment attraction, mentoring and employability, and industry confidence-building, among others) will be available soon – if interested, reach out to their team below.

Hand Eye Society is seeking game submissions for the Torontron Summer Tour, a summer-long series of arcade-style showcases at high-traffic events across Toronto. If your game is easy to learn, fun in short bursts, and works well in a quick drop-in setting, this rolling open call is a chance to have your work played by audiences across the city.

If you think we are living in a twisted simulation created by some mad omnipotent game designer. If every life challenge feels like a level on a rage-bait platformer. If you just need another healing potion to survive this dying winter. Come hang out with us with a glass half full of hope for the spring.

Don’t be shy. First-timers are definitely welcome! These events are FREE to attend, and YOU DON’T NEED TO BE AN IGDA MEMBER. If you’re planning to come, please get a free ticket in advance so we can prepare our headcount for the venues.

A reminder that ALL Interactive Ontario Members receive 30% their XP Game Summit 2026 tickets! We look forward to connecting with you on May 21-22, 2026, and stay tuned for more information regarding Interactive Ontario programming during the event.

Don’t have your discount code? Connect with our team today, or visit the Interactive Ontario Membership Hub to grab your exclusive discount.

Our Mission: To inspire, unite and enable Ontario’s video game and interactive digital media community to achieve long-term growth and prosperity.