How Montreal Became a Global Gaming Hub

Despite a competitive global market, Montreal has been and continues to be a major hub for the gaming industry.

As a city with a diverse population and a talent pool that's just as diverse, Montreal often sees both start-ups and major gaming companies taking up residence within its city limits. Over the last few decades, the gaming industry has become a vital part of Montreal's economic landscape and cultural identity.

Thanks to advancements in technology and the ever-growing community of gaming companies, the city continues to thrive as a hub for gaming - not just in Canada, but on a global scale.

The gaming industry in Montreal

Gaming has been a major component of Montreal's industry and culture since the late 1990s.

The shift towards Montreal becoming a major hub for gaming began in 1997 when Ubisoft was founded in Montreal. The founders were attracted to Montreal for its wealth of creativity and flair. The establishment of the company brought international attention to Montreal as a place to be for tech start-ups, computer companies, and gaming.

In Quebec, Montreal alone is home to over 70% of the province's development, design, and business services related to the gaming industry.

The success of Ubisoft also attracted other major companies like EA, Autodesk, Eidos, DNEG, and Warner Bros. Soon, Montreal was a major player on the global gaming scene. Today, Montreal is still home to Ubisoft and over 200 other gaming companies of all sizes. These studios are known for developing popular games like Assassin's Creed, FIFA, Dead by Daylight, and many more.

Why Montreal is a global gaming hub

Thanks to its vibrant cultural scene and innovative studios, gaming companies continue to pop up and flock to Montreal. The city has earned a reputation for creative and high-quality game development. Because of this, it attracts talent and investors from all over the world.

The success is fueled by a combination of strong government support for the industry and a skilled workforce with creative talent. There's also a robust tech ecosystem that supports the local industry.

The Quebec government, for example, offers substantial tax credits and financial incentives (up to 37.5% of labour costs) to game developers, making it financially attractive for companies to set up and expand operations in Montreal.

Local universities also contribute to the industry by offering top-tier educational programs in gaming development design. Institutions like Concordia University and Université de Montréal are just a couple that ensure a steady pipeline of qualified designers and developers. Thanks to this, there are around 20,000 workers in Montreal who are professionally skilled in video game design and development - with specializations in AI development, VR, AR, and other state-of-the-art features of gaming.

On the tech side, Montreal has a strong tech ecosystem and advanced infrastructure that can support the gaming industry. The network of tech companies in the city provides ample potential for innovative collaboration for gaming companies.

Creativity and innovation in Montreal

It's not just gaming and tech that thrives in Montreal. The city is known across the country as an artist-friendly place that can spark inspiration and innovation. Besides Ubisoft, Montreal is also home to some successful creative organizations and institutions such as Cirque du Soleil, Moment Factory, Sid Lee, and more.

Montreal's vibrant cultural scene is attractive to creatives and those looking to make a career out of artistic expression. The city offers an environment that fosters new ideas, blending tech prowess with creative energy. It's no wonder that so many start-ups and creative agencies - not to mention successful actors, artists, and entrepreneurs - call Montreal their birthplace.

The challenges in establishing Montreal as a global hub for the gaming industry

Establishing Montreal as a global hub for the gaming industry has not been without its challenges, requiring strategic efforts to overcome some obstacles that other similar cities could not.

For one, there's stiff competition from other cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Berlin, where the gaming industry is also thriving. And the rapid pace of technological change in the gaming industry demands constant adaptation. Montreal's gaming companies have to stay ahead of trends like VR, AI, and cloud gaming.

Advancements in technology contributing to the success of the gaming industry

Certainly, the successful gaming developers in Montreal and around the world know that no matter how much inspiration and innovation is around, there's still one thing that you need to get projects flowing. That's the right devices and tools to execute strong design and development of games and other tech.

And for those on the other end of the industry - the gamers themselves - they share that philosophy. In order to experience the outcome of these innovative games to the fullest, you need the best and latest gaming tech.

HP offers a range of gaming laptops that let you enjoy the newest games as they are meant to be enjoyed.

HP OMEN Gaming Laptops

HP's OMEN laptop series is designed with gaming in mind. Quick response time and up to 32 GB of RAM let you get the most out of today's best gaming technology.

HP Victus Gaming Desktops

For serious gamers, the HP Victus gaming desktops are a great option for your home gaming setup. With enough power, RAM, and speed for even the most intense games, these desktop computers will give you a boost in your gaming experience.

The future of the gaming industry in Montreal

Montreal's gaming industry is set to continue to thrive with continued investments in technology, talent development, and a collaborative ecosystem fostering innovation and creativity.

With emerging trends like AR, VR, and AI game design advancements, Montreal is pushing the boundaries for immersive game experiences. In the near future, we will likely see growth in mobile gaming, and eSports, as well as more indie game development coming out of the many start-ups and micro developers emerging in Montreal and other major gaming hub cities.

Conclusion

Montreal's ascent as a global gaming hub is a testament to its vibrant cultural scene, strong government support, and rich talent pool. With major companies and innovative startups thriving, the city continues to lead in creative game development, securing its place at the forefront of the industry.