June is full of celebrations, including Pride Month, Men's Health Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Black Music Month, and now one more can be added to the list: Video Game Month. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow officially proclaimed June as Video Game Month in Toronto earlier this week, celebrating video games, but also the proud Canadian studios and developers.
Starting June 7, the city will hold more than 40 events, ranging from high-profile esports competitions and professional summits to indie game spotlights and showcases. Many events are free and open to the public, where citizens can explore, play, and connect with Toronto's gaming and digital landscape.
"Toronto's gaming industry reflects the best of our city. It is creative, diverse, and forward-thinking," Chow said in a statement. "Video Game Month is an invitation to celebrate this growing sector and the talented people behind it and to discover how gaming connects with art, innovation, and our local communities."
Taking a quick look at the events across the city, you'll find Riot Games hosting a Valorant Masters event from June 7-22. According to the city, the event will have art activations and charity drives that are expected to attract more than 20,000 attendees and create $40 million in economic impact.
There's also Toronto Games Week (June 12 to June 18), which will be a citywide indie games celebration with live action role-playing games, workshops, talks, and exhibits.
Video Game Month was founded in part to align with two other of the city's economic initiatives to "promote innovation and quality jobs, and celebrate Toronto's diverse creative industrial environment."
June is already a big month for gaming generally, with the launch of Switch 2 and Summer Game Fest (and its adjacent events) happening. This is the first month-long celebration for video games, with March 10 being Mario Day and February 2 also called Hedgehog Day for all things Sonic.
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Starting June 7, the city will hold more than 40 events, ranging from high-profile esports competitions and professional summits to indie game spotlights and showcases. Many events are free and open to the public, where citizens can explore, play, and connect with Toronto's gaming and digital landscape.
"Toronto's gaming industry reflects the best of our city. It is creative, diverse, and forward-thinking," Chow said in a statement. "Video Game Month is an invitation to celebrate this growing sector and the talented people behind it and to discover how gaming connects with art, innovation, and our local communities."
Taking a quick look at the events across the city, you'll find Riot Games hosting a Valorant Masters event from June 7-22. According to the city, the event will have art activations and charity drives that are expected to attract more than 20,000 attendees and create $40 million in economic impact.
There's also Toronto Games Week (June 12 to June 18), which will be a citywide indie games celebration with live action role-playing games, workshops, talks, and exhibits.
Video Game Month was founded in part to align with two other of the city's economic initiatives to "promote innovation and quality jobs, and celebrate Toronto's diverse creative industrial environment."
June is already a big month for gaming generally, with the launch of Switch 2 and Summer Game Fest (and its adjacent events) happening. This is the first month-long celebration for video games, with March 10 being Mario Day and February 2 also called Hedgehog Day for all things Sonic.
Source