## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/) 2. [News and Stories](/index%2Ephp/news) 3. [Level Up highlights next generation of game developers](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/3244) March 31, 2025 # Level Up highlights next generation of game developers ![Attendees looking at a program on a computer monitor](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2025-03/Level%20Up%20showcase%20image%201.jpeg.webp?itok=GrntXjLc) The [Level Up Showcase](https://levelupshowcase.com/), a cornerstone of Ontario’s gaming community, returns on April 12, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle. Attracting thousands of attendees annually, the event highlights the province’s top student game designers and developers, offering them a platform to showcase their work, compete for top honors, and connect with industry professionals, recruiters and the public. Organized by Algonquin College, Brock University, OCAD University and the University of Toronto, in partnership with XP Gaming Inc., Level Up has become a key talent pipeline for Ontario’s gaming industry. In fact, according to a [recent report](https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canada-s-video-game-industry-contributed-5-1-billion-to-gdp-in-2024-888181811.html) released by Entertainment Software Association of Canada, the video game industry contributed $5.1 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2024, an increase of three per cent since 2021. Students gain direct exposure to leading studios, publishers and tech companies, receiving valuable feedback and career opportunities in an industry where there are 821 active video game studios across Canada. “Level Up Showcase has thrived over the years because it is an example of a ‘virtuous circle’ where everyone involved – industry, the post-secondary education sector, the public, regional development and students – benefit significantly from coming together to celebrate the next generation of homegrown Canadian game-making talent,” says Level Up Showcase co-founder and co-organizer Dr. Emma Westecott, an associate professor in Digital Futures at OCAD U. “At a time of increasing divisiveness, this event acts as a vital reminder of the importance of uniting across our differences to build better futures for all.” Reinforcing its role in shaping the future of the game industry, the event is backed by major industry partners, including Ubisoft, AMD, Sledgehammer, Zynga and regional supporters Ontario Creates and the City of Toronto. Last year’s event had up to 3,000 attendees and 150 student games. "Level Up Showcase is not only a career launchpad for students," says Professor Dr. Steve Engels at the University of Toronto. “It is a chance for the industry to connect with the next generation of game developers, play their games, share their insights and scout for talent. Mostly importantly, it is a celebration of Canadian-made student games from across the post-secondary sector, showcasing the innovation that takes place within colleges and universities across Ontario.” Attendees will have the chance to play groundbreaking student-created games, meet the developers behind them, vote for their favourites, and celebrate the winners during the closing award ceremony. **Event details:** **Date:** April 12, 2025, 2 to 7 p.m. **Venue:** Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto **Tickets:** Register for Free @[levelupshowcase.com](https://levelupshowcase.com/) **About Level Up Showcase** Founded and organized by digital media faculty from post-secondary institutions across Ontario, Level Up Showcase has grown into Ontario’s premier student game development event, bridging the gap between emerging talent and the game development industry. **Participating schools** - Algonquin College - Brock University - Cambrian College - Canadore College - Fanshawe College - Georgian College - George Brown College - Humber Polytechnic - Max the Mutt College - McMaster University - Mohawk College - Niagara College - OCAD University - Ontario Tech University - Seneca College - Sheridan College - Toronto Film School - Toronto Metropolitan University - University of Toronto - York University **About XP Gaming Inc.** XP Gaming connects the global video game industry through world-class B2B events that drive business, collaboration, and industry growth. Flagship conferences like XP Game Summit, Montreal International Game Summit (MIGS), and XP Indie Biz Connect events in Vancouver and Atlantic Canada serve as key platforms for networking, knowledge exchange, and deal-making – connecting developers, publishers, investors, and service providers to shape the future of gaming. ## Other Recent News [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. 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