Calgary pushes creative economic growth with Games Kiln launch

The Calgary Games Kiln creates a dedicated commercialization program for early-stage game studios in Calgary, addressing challenges beyond development such as market validation, pitching and attracting investment. The 12-month pilot is run by Nordicity and Jason Della Rocca in collaboration with Calgary Economic Development, Platform Calgary and the Calgary Game Developers Association. Its first cohort directly supports five Calgary studios and their projects: Grizzly Moose Games’ BioRogue, Nice Axe Games’ Kali and Ko, Fortress Games’ Zero State Agent, Spacehabs’ Spacehabs Simulator and Braveshell Studio’s Storm Sphere. Participants work toward market-validated vertical slices, trailers and investor-ready pitch materials while receiving mentorship and networking opportunities. The Kiln also serves as a pilot for the proposed Calgary Games Studio Foundry, making its results relevant to how future public and industry support for game studio growth may be structured in Calgary.