Toronto, Canada – The Level Up Showcase, an annual event that celebrates the creativity of Ontario students, returns for its 10th edition. The event, which was canceled in 2020 and held virtually in 2022, is being held in person at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto from 5 to 11 PM on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023.
Over 100 games developed by students from 20 post-secondary schools in Ontario will be exhibited at the showcase. Attendees will get a chance to witness and experience games developed on modern technology and gaming platforms, including motion sensors and virtual reality devices.
The showcase was established over a decade ago by OCAD U Associate Professor Dr. Emma Westcott and Steve Engels, and started as a small event at the Toronto International Film Festival Lightbox. Since then, it has grown to become a premier showcase for emerging talent in game design, animation, and computer graphics.
Notable Ontario schools such as Brock University, Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, and George Brown College, among others, will be featured at this year’s showcase.
In addition to the student projects, Ubisoft Toronto, a renowned game development studio, will be an official partner at the showcase. The studio will feature some of its Indie Series winners, including Thousand Stars Studio’s VR game, Milkyway, and Rocket Adrift’s narrative-driven side-scroller, Psychroma.
The event’s highlight is the Level Up Showcase award ceremony, where judges from various gaming companies present awards for the “Best Overall Game,” “Technical Innovation,” “Artistic Achievement,” and more. Attendees can also vote for the “People’s Choice” award, which allows them to test the available games and cast their votes for their favorites.
According to Dr. Westcott, the showcase’s aim is to bring students back into the showroom floor, kickstart community endeavors, and highlight the potential of the next generation of game designers. With the impact of COVID-19, Level Up Showcase hopes to provide an opportunity for students to showcase their passion projects and allow them to network with industry professionals.
Level Up Showcase is a must-visit event for gamers, game developers, and anyone interested in witnessing the creativity and innovation of Ontario’s emerging talent.