Canadian Game Awards Triumphantly Returns! Review & Full List of Winners Inside
The Canadian Game Awards (CGA) 2025 has just wrapped up, marking a significant milestone in celebrating Canada's thriving gaming industry. Held on February 15th at the prestigious TIFF Lightbox in downtown Toronto, this year's event was a resounding success, showcasing the best of Canadian gaming talent and innovation
The highlight of the evening for me was seeing Local Thunk's BALATRO crowned as Game of the Year. It's incredible how this innovative card game has captured the hearts of players with its unique gameplay and striking design. Witnessing BALATRO's win drove home the creativity and diversity in our Canadian game development scene. Though we're slightly sad he didn't even give us Canadians a glimpse of the real dev-behind-the-game, we totally understand why his representation showed up instead! Other top winners of the evening include Bioware's DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD, and Toronto Ultra who took Best Esports Event and Best Esports Organization.
I can't help but compare this year's smooth execution to the technical challenges we faced in 2023. The improvement was night and day, allowing us all to immerse ourselves in the celebration of Canadian gaming excellence fully. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the CGA team.
I'm particularly excited about the introduction of the Eh! Game Expo this year. This free, all-day event preceding the awards ceremony was a brilliant addition. Our team loved seeing all the demos, interactive exhibits, and exclusive previews from both indie and major studios. It added an extra layer of excitement to the CGA experience, and I can't wait to see how it grows next year.
I'm incredibly grateful to have had A Gaming Network (AGN) as an official media partner for the event. One of my favorite moments was seeing fellow A Gaming Podcast members Steve Vegvari and Marcel Dee announce the Best Debut Indie Game. It was a perfect blend of professional recognition and personal connection, making the night even more special.
Reflecting on the triumphs of this year's Canadian Game Awards and Eh! Game Expo, I'm already excited for what's to come. The event has showcased the current state of Canadian gaming and set the stage for future growth and innovation in our industry.
I believe the Canadian Game Awards play a crucial role in highlighting our country's position as a global leader in interactive entertainment. By bringing together developers, content creators, and esports professionals, we're fostering a sense of community and pride in our Canadian gaming landscape.
As they start planning for next year, I'm filled with anticipation. I'm confident that the Canadian Game Awards will continue to evolve, bringing even more exciting opportunities to celebrate and promote the exceptional talent within our gaming industry. Here's to creating bigger and better Canadian gaming moments right here in Toronto!
Full List of Winners:
- Best Art Direction: 1000xRESIST (Sunset Visitor)
- Best Game Design: Balatro (Local Thunk)
- Best Score/Soundtrack: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare)
- Best Narrative: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare)
- Best Performance: Humberly González (Star Wars: Outlaws)
- Best Audio Design: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare)
- Best Technology/Innovation: Homeworld 3 (Blackbird Interactive)
- Best Debut Indie Game: Balatro (LocalThunk)
- Best Debut Studio: LocalThunk (Balatro)
- Most Innovative Studio: BioWare (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
- Esports Player: Sarah_frags
- Esports Org: Toronto Ultra
- Esports Event: Call of Duty League: Stage 3 Major
- Content Creator/Show: Pokimane
- Studio of the Year: LocalThunk
- Game of the Year: Balatro (LocalThunk)