Digital and creative

Where the future comes to play

Exploding demand for creative content has sparked business opportunities. Calgary is taking advantage by fuelling innovation in digital media, interactive technology, gaming, esports, and animation and visual effects.

120+

organizations power Calgary’s core creative industries

Nordicity, Calgary's Creative Economy Strategy, 2024
60%

of Alberta’s animation and VFX companies are located in Calgary

Nordicity, Key Frames, 2023
4.8%

annual rate of employment growth in Alberta’s interactive digital media

ICTC, Virtual Frontiers, 2024

Subsectors driving growth

Creators and storytellers thrive in Calgary. They enjoy access to the tools, talent and production capabilities needed to bring interactive and visual stories to life in subsectors like:

Game development
Esports
Immersive tech
Animation and VFX

Two people operate video and audio equipment from a control booth overlooking a stage.

Calgary’s gaming ecosystem

Two people talking in a game studio with a computer monitor and arcade cabinet in the background.

Calgary Game Developers Association

The Calgary Game Developers Association is a community—and talent pool—of 1,200 local creatives. It promotes skill development and networking through a series of meetups and events.

Visit CGDA

Dark sci-fi game scene with futuristic characters walking through an industrial corridor.

Made-in-Alberta games

Alberta Makes Games is the comprehensive source for game development in Alberta. The site tracks studios, games, development groups and post-secondary programs.

Visit Alberta Makes Games

Three people work at desktop computers in a game development lab with a large projected Unreal Engine screen behind them.

The business of games

The Kiln accelerates the growth of early-stage game studios by helping them develop, market and commercialize their products.

Read the press release

Two young men smiling and looking at smartphones while sitting together indoors.

Rapidly-growing membership

Twitch Calgary has more than 790 members—and counting. Calgary’s Unreal Engine Meetup regularly brings together some 180 members.

Made in Calgary

Hunter's Moon

Tempered Hue

THRIVE: Heavy Lies the Crown

Stylized game artwork for Sunburnt Unicorn featuring a red cartoon character with a horn against a bright yellow background.

Sunburnt Unicorn Production

Esports

Esports has taken off in recent years, establishing itself in pop culture and attracting global investment. The Alberta Esports Strategy unites Calgary and Edmonton partners to build a stronger foundation for investment and commercialization by creating the conditions companies need to grow and succeed.

Read the strategy Read strategy highlights

Row of empty gaming stations with monitors and illuminated PCs in a neon-lit esports space.

Esport arenas

Bow Valley College's esports arena is Calgary's first dedicated space for competitive gaming, live broadcasts and esports talent development.

Three gamers wearing headsets compete at desktop computers in a neon-lit gaming event.

Post-secondary teams

Alberta has a rapidly developing intercollegiate esport structure with teams at several post-secondary institutions.

Team celebrating on stage with a trophy as confetti falls during an esports event.

Alberta Esports Association

The Alberta Esports Association (AESA) fosters the growth of the industry through advocacy and removing barriers to participation.

Visit AESA

Video editor working at a dual-monitor desk with editing software open in a modern office.

Animation and Visual Effects

More than half of Alberta’s interactive digital media companies are headquartered in the city. Our low-cost and business-friendly environment plus funding opportunities make Calgary a great place to grow your studio.

Performer in a motion capture suit stands on a green screen film set with cameras, lights, and monitors.

Funding support

The Alberta Government’s Post-Production, Visual Effects and Digital Animation Grant (PPG) supports local businesses working in those fields.

Explore PPG

Close-up of a hand-drawn storyboard panel on paper with a pencil in the foreground.

Quickdraw Animation Society

Quickdraw is a member-driven not-for-profit that hosts festivals, posts job openings and connects Calgary’s animation community.

Visit Quickdraw

Developer working at multiple monitors with Unreal Engine open, building a racing game environment.

Post-secondary programs

The Alberta University of the Arts animation program, Bow Valley College’s Centre for Entertainment Arts (CEA) and the University of Calgary’s animation studio are reliable talent pipelines.

Visit AUArts animation
Visit CEA

Visit U of C studio

Group of people standing in a large studio around a giant angled green screen stage setup.

Immersive Technologies

Low operating costs, accessible space and the right talent make Calgary a great place for digital media and entertainment businesses. Join the more than 60 companies working on immersive media and digital technology products and services in the city.