New Game Development Competition in Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincials 2024

On March 22, 2024, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, hosted the Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincial competition, showcasing the talent and innovation of young minds across various sectors. Among the 30 competitions spanning six sectors, one new addition was very popular: Game Development.

Game Development, which is the first Skills Canada Game Dev competition, brought a fresh wave of creativity and enthusiasm. It was fusion of a Game Jam and Skills Canada platform. Participants, all post-secondary students from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, were tasked with creating a 2D web-based game using their preferred game engine. It was a team competition with 2 to 4 members in each team.

Shaun Nanan, the Provincial Technical Committee (PTC) Chair of the Game Dev competition, commended the students for their exemplary display of skills and talents. The competition wasn’t just about creating games; it was about diving into the industry’s dynamic environment through collaborative group projects. Nanan highlighted how these projects mirrored real-world challenges, providing a glimpse into the professional landscape.

Kai Hutchence, PTC Co-Chair and CEO of Massive Corporation, a Regina-based game development studio, was amazed by the quality of work produced within the competition’s short timeframe. He remarked on the students’ ability to conceptualize, design, and execute compelling game experiences. For Hutchence, the event wasn’t just a competition; it was a testament to the industry’s bright future.

Gold Winners Team:
David Banman, Anna Nguyen, Christeen Shlimoon, Tyson Tremblay
Game: Computer Systems Technology (CST) Simulator

Link to game: https://tyson-tremblay.itch.io/cst-simulator

Silver Winners Team:
Noah Bodnar, Daryl Law, Logan LeMarie-Ruder, Phuc Minh Anh Nguyen
Game: Sammy the Spider Adventures

Bronze Winners Team:
Woojeong Ham, Colin Friesen
Game: Lightning Strike