UOIT co-hosting Ontario’s nextgen game developer showcase April 4 in Toronto

On Friday, April 4, Level Up Showcase returns to Toronto’s historic Design Exchange, where over 800 expected attendees will feast their eyes and get their hands on video games developed by the biggest-ever representation of Ontario post-secondary institutions.

Level Up Showcase is co-hosted and organized by faculty from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), University of Toronto (U of T), and OCAD University.

The fourth-annual event provides an interactive playground for the public and recruiting ground for employers. The showcase turns the spotlight on the most talented students in design, art, animation, and computer science. Level Up offers an exclusive opportunity for industry professionals and the public to get their hands on playable games from current and graduating students, all under one roof.

Attendees can expect games that use the most current technology and gaming platforms, from PCs to mobile devices, and more.

This year’s free event will present around 60 games from 17 different institutions: University of Toronto, OCAD University, UOIT, Centennial College, Humber College, Seneca College, Sheridan College, Algonquin College, George Brown College, TriOS College, Ryerson University, York University, University of Waterloo, McMaster University, Niagara College, Brock University, and Carleton University.

“We’re seeing our largest number of participants ever, both from the schools and from sponsors wanting to support the value and potential of our talented students,” said co-co-organizers Dr. Andrew Hogue (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business and Information Technology, UOIT), Steve Engels (Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, U of T), and Emma Westecott (Assistant Professor, OCADU).

The Level Up Showcase has also grabbed the attention of the recently held 2014 Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, California (world's largest game industry event), and was featured at the GDC’s 2014 Education Summit.

This year’s event is in partnership with Ubisoft Toronto, Autodesk, and Sheridan College; silver sponsors Studica, Razer, Yoyo Games, Unity Technologies, Microsoft, Uken Games, OCAD University, and Big Viking Games, University of Toronto Computer Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology; with supporting partners Canadian Videogame Awards, SPC Card, Orion, CG Magazine, and Incubator Games.

Level Up Showcase

Friday, April 4
5 to 10 p.m.
Design Exchange
234 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario

Website: levelupshowcase.com
Twitter updates: @levelupTO

About Level Up Showcase

Based in Toronto, Ontario, Level Up Showcase provides a one-stop shop for industry, institutions and students to network, recruit, and learn about new techniques and technologies in the video game industry. Canada boasts the third-largest video game industry in the world, with Ontario boasting the second-highest number of video companies in the country (Essential Facts, 2013, The Entertainment Software Association of Canada). Level Up Showcase is the top destination to discover emerging talent in this growing field.