SaskInteractive and CIAIC Complete Creative Export Canada Partnership Supporting Canadian Game Studios at GDC

SaskInteractive and CIAIC Complete Creative Export Canada Partnership Supporting
Canadian Game Studios at GDC

Regina, Saskatchewan — May 19th , 2026 — SaskInteractive is pleased to recognize the completion of its partnership with the Canadian Interactive Alliance / Alliance Interactive Canadienne (CIAIC), supported through Canadian Heritage’s Creative Export Canada program.

The initiative helped 30 Canadian game studios attend key international market events,including the Game Developers Conference (GDC), to pursue publishing, investment, and export opportunities. Six participating companies were from the Prairie provinces.Through the program, participating studios pitched Canadian-owned interactive digital media projects to more than 200 buyers from 22 international markets. Across all participating companies and events, more than 350 business-to-business meetings took place. To date, over $830,000 in confirmed deal value has been reported, including project investment and contracts for Canadian creative IDM IP.

Participating companies have also reported close to $3 million CAD in potential deal value currently “in play,” meaning buyer or client interest has been expressed and follow-upconversations are underway. Additional outcomes will be tracked through six-month and twelve-month follow-up surveys.

Many Saskatchewan studios are still building toward export readiness, and the program provided valuable insight into the preparation, ownership requirements, and commercial readiness needed to access international market opportunities.

“The permanent renewal of the Creative Export Canada program is an encouraging
vote of confidence in the collaborative work being done by organizations like
SaskInteractive and CIAIC. It will help strengthen Canada’s game development and
interactive digital media ecosystem while supporting Canadian creators in reaching
global markets..”
—Jack Hilkewich, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association
Inc.

Through this Creative Export Canada-supported partnership, SaskInteractive worked with CIAIC to help deliver a coordinated national export opportunity for Canadian game studios.CIAIC brought provincial and regional partners together to connect Canadian-owned IDM companies with international publishers, investors, buyers, and industry partners.

About SaskInteractive‍

SaskInteractive is the provincial industry association representing Saskatchewan’s interactive digital media sector, with a focus on video games, digital storytelling, immersive media, and related creative technologies. SaskInteractive supports its members through programming, mentorship, networking, market access opportunities, and advocacy.

About CIAIC
‍The Canadian Interactive Alliance / Alliance Interactive Canadienne is a national organization representing Canada’s interactive digital media industry through a network of provincial and regional associations.