Hit the pause button and put down your controllers, Ottawa gamers. Mayor Jim Watson has announced that the 2017 Canadian Videogame Awards will be hosted right here in the nation’s capital – and a competition is planned to take place, as well.
In 2017, Canada will be celebrating its 150th birthday and Ottawa has events lined up for the entire year. The awards are now an added part of the festivities for citizens and visitors alike, said Watson in a press release.
Ottawa’s strong tech sector also helped contribute to its selection, says Angela Gatari, of Reboot Communications. She says the host cities that are chosen have a strong gaming industry. Past awards have taken place in Vancouver and Toronto.
In total, there are 23 gaming companies based in and around Ottawa. Among them is Smoke Labs, in the ByWard Market.
Kyle McInnes, the business developer for Smoke Labs, says the awards will be a positive experience for gamers and local businesses.
“The Canadian Videogame Awards in Ottawa is yet another example of how this city is making a name for itself in the game industry,” he says via email. “We already host Ontario’s largest gaming conference, OIGC, and the awards will bring even more recognition to the companies and people that are shaping the city.”
The Ottawa International Gaming Conference started three years ago and takes place at the National Arts Centre every May. According to its website, the OIGC puts a focus on “building business relationships, sharing best practices and continuing to establish the city as an emerging development centre.” The conference showcases games, new technology, and host speakers from all over the world.
Now, Ottawa is taking it to the next level by hosting the 2017 awards at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. The city is also planning to project head-to-head gameplay on buildings all over Ottawa – a chance for gamers to get in on the action, and for others to experience video games in a new and exciting way.
At Microplay Video Games on Bank Street in Centretown, Kyle Matthews says it’s great that Ottawa is getting more involved with the gaming industry. His store sells both new and vintage video games.
“There are a lot of small videogame groups in Ottawa that run tournaments and things like that,” he says, “so it’s exciting that something more official is coming in.”
Other events planned for Ottawa’s big year in 2017 include the 100th anniversary of the Bytown Museum, the Canadian Track and Field Championships, the unveiling of a Stanley Cup monument in downtown Ottawa, and many more. There is also speculation that Ottawa will host the 2017 Juno Awards, the Grey Cup, and an outdoor NHL hockey game at Lansdowne Park.
“The Videogame Awards are a great addition to this list and help show the diversity of Ottawa and its citizens,” says Jantine Van Kregten, director of communications for Ottawa Tourism.
Gamers, businesses, and city leaders are all looking forward to the upcoming awards.
“As Canada’s most-wired city, Ottawa is an ideal place to host the Canadian Videogame Awards,” Watson said. “For the computer industry, and gamers everywhere, Ottawa will be the place to be in 2017.”