SaskInteractive: Levelling Up Saskatchewan’s Gaming Industry

Creative Saskatchewan funds seven industry associations, helping them achieve their mandates to support Saskatchewan’s creative small businesses and creative producers, and helping build extraordinary businesses. Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association Inc. (SaskInteractive) became a part of our funding envelope in 2014. As their primary funding agency, we proudly provide SaskInteractive with operational and program funding.

Jack Hilkewich, Executive Director at SaskInteractive, highlights the impact of the partnership, “Creative Saskatchewan’s support has been instrumental in SaskInteractive’s efforts to grow and strengthen Saskatchewan’s interactive digital media industry. Their funding enables us to provide professional development, advocacy, and networking opportunities that help our members thrive. Together, we’re growing Saskatchewan’s interactive digital media industry, creating opportunities, and helping local talent shine on a bigger stage.”

SaskInteractive represents members involved in the development of content-based interactive digital media, as well as consumers and stakeholders. The Association acts on behalf of its members to represent their views to government, industry, the news media, and to the general public.

The team at SaskInteractive is dedicated to fostering the growth of the digital media industry in Saskatchewan, creating economic opportunities and jobs. They provide a robust network to enhance communication within the industry and act as a strong advocate. By offering professional development opportunities, SaskInteractive addresses the creative, technical, and administrative needs of industry professionals.

They work to raise public awareness of the benefits of digital media and increase the industry’s profile, enabling marketing and exporting opportunities. SaskInteractive also liaises between educational institutions and the industry to enhance training opportunities and collaborates with the government to develop policies that support industry growth. Additionally, they showcase developers and their achievements to both local and global audiences.

Creative Saskatchewan was proud to support a few of their events recently, including the Global Game Jam where 120 game developers came together to make 40 games in the span of a single weekend, and the Interactive Digital Media in Focus conference.

When it comes to funding game developers—we are here to help! Creative Saskatchewan’s role is to help clients navigate the application process from start to finish, review applications for eligibility, ensure applications are vetted by industry professionals, and invest in projects with economic potential. Creative Saskatchewan offers a few grants related to Interactive Digital:

The Digital Game Development Grant supports eligible Saskatchewan applicants in the production of innovative and original digital games and eLearning properties. All projects developed and designed with support from this grant must be made available for sale.

Game developers may also be eligible to apply for our Business Improvement grant, Research grant, Marketing grant and Showcase or Sell Travel grant.

SaskInteractive’s dedication to fostering the digital media sector, combined with Creative Saskatchewan’s robust funding support, creates a powerful synergy. By providing essential resources, professional development, and advocacy, SaskInteractive enhances the industry’s growth and visibility. Creative Saskatchewan complements these efforts by offering targeted grants and guiding developers through the funding process. This partnership ensures that game developers in Saskatchewan have the support they need to innovate, thrive, and bring their creative projects to market.

Follow SaskInteractive on socials:

Facebook

Instagram

X