Alberta-based video game designer attends networking event in Japan

Vauxhall-based Mikan House Inc. demonstrates that game development activity in Alberta extends beyond Calgary and Edmonton. Founder Donna Sato entered the industry after studying multimedia production at Lethbridge College and became involved with the Lethbridge Game Development Guild before establishing a seven-person team to develop Neko House, a 2D pixel-art game set in a cat shelter. Support from wage subsidies, Community Futures Chinook and Southeast Alberta’s APEX network has helped the rural studio build its team and manage early-stage financing. Sato’s participation in Tokyo Game Show’s Business Days also gave an Alberta developer direct access to international publishers while Neko House was still in its prototype stage, generating interest and potential publishing relationships. Mikan House illustrates how education, regional industry groups, business-development programs and international networking can support the creation of game studios in smaller Alberta communities.