Québec’s MIGS Shines a Light on Homegrown Game Talent
Montreal’s scene is buzzing again as the Montréal International Game Summit returns with a distinctly Canadian flavor. Quebec stands tall in Canada’s video game maker map, with Ontario and British Columbia close behind. Montreal hosts the densest cluster of studios, turning the city into a hot spot for new ideas and fresh talent. MIGS draws a global crowd, yet it keeps its eyes on homegrown talent and projects that matter to players here.
Indie Zone: A Packed Floor of Fresh Projects
The Indie Zone, perched on the conference’s upper tier, boasted more than 20 games in progress or near release. Creators used the event to let attendees try their builds and share hints about what’s next on Steam wishlists. The energy was high as devs watched players react, learn from feedback, and imagine future tweaks.
A large share of the showcased studios came from across Canada, with many of them rooted in Montreal. Here are some of the standout Canadian titles we got hands-on with at MIGS, eyeing 2026 and beyond.
Clerks and Quirks
Developer: ALTKEY Games (Québec City, QC)
Platform: PC (Steam)
Release: To be announced
Part roguelite, part chaos, Clerks and Quirks blends co-op play with busy shop life. The setting is a fantasy store where heroes come for gear and potions, while you, the clerk, juggle sales and burnout. Surviving 15 days in a row gets tougher and tougher, with quirky appliances and cheeky bosses shaking things up daily. Success unlocks permanent rewards and the drive to try again. The game shines brightest with friends, where collaboration—and the inevitable friction—feels like part of the fun, not a drag. A test build is planned for mid-December.
Almanach: Of Empires and Sorcery
Developer: Foretold Entertainment (Montréal, QC)
Platform: PC (Steam)
Release: TBA
For fans of 4X strategy, Almanach offers a rich turn-based world that breathes with cycles of rebirth. You guide troops, runners, and settlers to new lands, build cities, and manage farms, trade, and war. Watch for strange events and hidden risks as you push forward. The demo hints at a deep link between ages, where choices from one game influence the next. The base idea is strong: today’s moves echo later eras in meaningful ways.
North Shore
Developer: Ravine Studios (Toronto, ON)
Platform: PC (Steam)
Release: 2028
North Shore invites players into a top-down adventure set in surreal winter scenes of Southern Ontario and Southern Quebec. The look nods to classic landscape painters, with a focus on movement and the physics of skating. It blends a playful vibe with an edge of danger as landscapes shift and moods flip. The team has a closed beta in the works and aims for a full release in 2028.
Goeland: Seagull Adventure
Developer: Maarti Games (Montreal, QC)
Platform: PC (Steam)
Release: TBA
This solo project puts you in the shoes of a seagull in a seaside town. You can run wild as a mischief-maker or become a caped helper, returning balls, protecting wildlife, and cleaning up beaches. It’s a sandbox-style outing built on mini-quests and puzzles, all wrapped in a strong, quirky art style. The Steam demo runs for about an hour, with more to come later.
Button Man
Developer: Styrax Studios (Halifax, NS)
Platform: PC (Steam)
Release: 2026
Button Man travels back to Prohibition-era Nova Scotia. You follow Bruce, once a henchman for a local boss, as he returns to Kingsport to probe his boss’s murder. Expect roam-and-talk gameplay, squad recruitment, street brawls, and a few feline friends along the way. The demo already shows strong writing and sharp exchanges, with a toast of Canadian flair. The game is slated to land in 2026.
Chef of Sherwood
Developer: Porcelaine Games (Montréal, QC)
Platform: PC, tablets
Release: Summer 2026
This revival of the Robin Hood myth places you inside a royal kitchen. Your main aim is to cook well under the king’s strict rule. Cooking mini-games test timing and precision, while daily choices shape your path. Limited supplies and time pressure add a strategic layer, including how your actions affect the royal mood. It’s a clever blend of time management and social intrigue. A long demo is available on itch.io, with a full PC and mobile release planned for summer 2026.
Embers: A Cozy Fantasy Journal
Developer: Studio Lazulite (Montréal, QC)
Platform: PC (Steam)
Release: Coming soon
Embers sits between a game and a journaling tool. It leans into the cozy sim vibe with gentle pixel art and calm motion. The demo presents a single reflective prompt to finish a ritual, but players will see many more prompts and a way to save their thoughts for later rereads. It’s a soft, inviting project that blends creativity with calm play.
Drop: Save the Forest
Developer: Riccardo Giol, Games Greenhouse (Chilliwack, BC)
Platform: PC (Steam)
Release: December 5, 2025
Drop is a 2D puzzle game with a green twist. You play as a water-made hero who douses fires and solves challenges as the levels grow tougher. New powers and tools unlock as you advance, and the game naturally teaches players about different biomes and wildlife. It has a warm, family-friendly feel and a sturdy demo on Steam ahead of the December release.
What MIGS Signals for Canada’s Game Road Ahead
The event is more than a show floor. It acts as a bridge between creators and potential partners, from publishers to investors. The Canadian game scene keeps growing, with Montreal at the heart of it all. MIGS helps small studios gain visibility and test ideas in front of true fans. As these titles push toward 2026 and beyond, players can expect varied choices, smart design, and a touch of local flavor in each project.
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