Welcome to the Winnipeg & Manitoba Video Game Development History Timeline (Nov/2025). After compiling the previous timeline, I wanted to create a timeline of Video Game Development in Winnipeg & Manitoba. This timeline is not complete and I welcome additions and corrections (see link at bottom).
The criteria to be listed on this timeline is: A) Must be (or include) a Winnipeg / Manitoba based developer and, B) Must release commercial games on a Console/Mobile/Steam/VR platform, or C) Be noteworthy for some other reason that has an impact on video gaming.
—
1970 – University of Manitoba launches its Department of Computer Science
1971 to 1999 – research pending on arcades, retail selling computers and consoles, and early BBSs and Internet in Winnipeg and Manitoba
2000 – New Media Manitoba is formed
2001 – Complex Games is formed
2006 – Fortune Cat Studios is formed
2007 – Bit Blot (with Winnipeg’s Alec Holowka) releases Aquaria and wins awards and critical acclaim
2008 – Government of Manitoba introduces Manitoba Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit
2008 – Government of Manitoba launches Canada’s First Interactive Digital Gaming Business Incubator
2008 – Fortune Cat Studios hosts an open house
2009 – Complex Games releases Hidden Expedition: Devil’s Triangle
2010 – Complex Games releases Skipping Stones
2010 – Complex Games releases Cyber Circuit
2010 – Complex Games releases Monkey Poo
2010 – Zenfri is formed
2010 – Tomkorp releases Clones
2010 – Winnipeg Indie Devs launch TIG Jam: Winnipeg as the first iteration of Pegjam
2011 – Winnipeg Indie Devs known as the BitCollective bring the Winnitron 1000 to GDC, inspiring clones around the world! (article 1) (article 2)
2011 – Complex Games releases Battle Bears Gold
2011 – Owlchemy Labs (with Manitoba’s Devin Reimer) releases AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA for the Awesome
2011 – Owlchemy Labs releases Smuggle Truck
2011 – Kert Gartner starts creating Video Game Trailers
2012 – Complex Games releases College Lacrosse (2012)
2012 – Owlchemy Labs releases Snuggle Truck
2012 – Bacon Bandit Games is formed
2013 – Owlchemy Labs releases Jack Lumber Game
2013 – Complex Games releases Ducktales Scrooge’s Loot
2014 – Bacon Bandit Games releases Letter Quest Game
2014 – Winnipeg Game Collective is formed and begins to coordinate the Pegjam
2015 – Bacon Bandit Games releases Letter Quest Remastered
2015 – Complex Games releases Warhammer 40,000 Horus Heresy Drop Assault
2015 – Zenfri releases Clandestine: Anomaly
2015 – Owlchemy Labs releases Dyscourse
2016 – Project Whitecard releases Star Rangers XE
2016 – Bacon Bandit Games releases Tap Tap Dig
2016 – Owlchemy Labs releases Job Simulator (VR)
2017 – Owlchemy Labs releases Virtual Rick-ality (VR)
2017 – Project Whitecard releases Crawl Space: The Mansion (VR)
2017 – Project Whitecard releases Space Panic: Room Escape (VR)
2018 – Bacon Bandit Games releases Tap Tap Dug 2
2017 – Winnipeg gaming streamers launch Twitch Winnipeg
2017 – Infinite Fall (with Alec Holowka) releases Night in the Woods which wins awards and critical acclaim
2017 – Owlchemy Labs is acquired by Google
2018 – Ubisoft sets up office in Winnipeg (article 1) (article 2)
2019 – Owlchemy Labs releases Vacation Simulator (VR)
2019 – Activate launches its first location, blending video games with physical activity
2020 – Ludicrous Games releases Guntastic
2021 – Flighty Felon Games releases SCP Doki Doki Anomaly
2021 – Project Whitecard releases DoVille
2022 – Complex Games releases Warhammer 40,000 Chaos Gate Daemonhunters and is a finalist for DICE Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
2022 – TMFX Studios releases Crash Override
2022 – Zenfri releases The Last Taxi (VR)
2022 – Owlchemy Labs releases Cosmonious High (VR)
2023 – Complex Games is acquired by Frontier Developments (article 1) (article 2)
2025 – Flighty Felon Games releases FREERIDE
—
Other Links of Interest:
Manitoba Game Studios (some of these listed don’t have any video games listed on their pages)
Giant Bomb list of Complex Game releases
I welcome suggested edits to this timeline. Please contact me at https://consult.billo.ws/
Recent Comments