Genuinely a thoughtful article, I can’t help but hope the new Wolverine game features a good chunk of a Canadian setting to „show“ investors our country has its own charm in a video game. The Scott Pilgrim Vs the World game proved Toronto can make a vibey beat-em-up city
CJ-MacGuffin on
Because peaceable = boring. I’m good with that.
NeoNova9 on
Mass effect. Canada is indeed in space.
Assassins creed. Name me a handful of interesting historical figures in canada people care about, were tearing down our own statues..
Far Cry . Shit game in general doesnt need to be set here.
NightmareExpress on
US population is a lot bigger, certain US States are basically learned about on a global level (eg: some rando in Japan or Sweden or Nepal will probably know what New York is and be at at a total loss as to what Toronto is), a lot of subtle and not so subtle pushes to make something targeting larger markets (which means a higher likelihood of it being set in the US or an entirely fictional location).
oddwithoutend on
I always liked that Soma started off in Toronto.
marslo on
Because they’re work of fiction…
But last I checked, raccon city shares the same skyline as Montreal and you play a whole level inside the Olympic stadium in Deus ex.
Dont_Hurt_Tomatoes on
For starters, 95 percent of video games are set in fantasy/fictional/abstract environments.
I love our Canadian cities and geography, but I can’t think of any that would make for a compelling video game map.
Canadianman22 on
You can set a survival game here in Canada (see The Long Dark or Kona 1 & 2) but really Canada is not exactly an exciting setting for most games. It would be generic North American city and generic North American country side. We dont have a unique setting outside of survival type game play.
Games use American cities because they are heavily recognizable. They use places that are hundreds if not thousands of years old because of their history and mystery surrounding them. We have neither as a young country compared to most where games are set.
ADHDBusyBee on
Why was Juno American?
Why was Slap Shot American?
Why was the Greyhound about an American ship, when it was based on the HMCS Sackville?
Why is Argo American instead of about the real life Canadian Caper?
Why is the miracle on ice even a thing, when the Canadians beat the Soviets many times, and the US influenced the Olympics to ban professional hockey players which meant Canada had no chance at a viable team anyways.
It’s because American media is the best in the world and to sell to Americans it must be American. If you just watched American media you’d think they single handed won WW2 after it begun in 1942.
jimababwe on
The Montreal skyline is featured during the present day segments of one of the assassins Creed games
JS9766 on
It looks like the new Wolverine game is going to have some levels in BC
MrRasphelto on
Squad has Canadian factions and map !
ybetaepsilon on
NGL, I would love a GTA: GTA
Consistent-Study-287 on
One of my favourite random facts is that the Mjolnir armour in Halo is created by Lethbridge Industries which was named after Lethbridge, Alberta.
MajinNekuro on
As an Albertan (Forever Canada!!!), I was pretty surprised when I played Until Dawn and learned it took place here. Game was made in the UK, but it absolutely made me appreciate it more than I would have otherwise. I think the Mass Effect games also make reference to some fictional Canadian sports teams to go along with the opening of 3 being set in Vancouver.
But yes, it’s what everyone else is saying. America is the biggest audience so western games are usually set in America. Asian games frequently take place in Asia or made up fantasy worlds too, to appeal to their markets too.
alamarche709 on
Because the U.S. has 10x our population and 95% of them won’t buy a game that is set in Canada.
Same reason shows/movies are rarely set in Canada. Americans simply won’t consume the media.
brunes on
The locations in most video games are totally fictional.
Engineered_disdain on
Because we play video games to escape reality not relive it
lazykid348 on
Most video games are made for American audiences and also Canadian cities aren’t unique enough.
Bad-job-dad on
When you’re a writer you learn that a setting can do a lot of storytelling for you. The character of Canadian cities aren’t well known to the masses so it falls short.
chocolateboomslang on
Can’t wait for GTA: Winnipeg and Need For Speed: Out For A Rip
hedges747 on
Honestly it feels like more Canadian games feature Canada than most films that are made here. Especially the indies like A Short Hike.
Darkness-Calming on
Warframe was made in Canada.
London, Ontario if I remember correctly
jam66539 on
Zelda in Canada:
„It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this eh?“
Hands Link a hockey stick
raz_kripta on
It’s really the same with movies & TV shows, or anything else. Canada is like the country that is culturally invisible. This undermines our visibility internationally. You can see the impacts, because asking any random foreigner abroad what they know about Canada, they will know less than about just about any other G8 country. Even non-G8 countries like Australia, they will know more about.
Part of the reason is the negative, corrupting influence of American money. Usually, when US funding is involved in a project like a movie, television series or even a video game at times, they will insist on a US setting. No-one wants to risk losing funding so they go along with it. Thus Toronto subs in for New York or Chicago, BC for California, etc. They all change the license plates of vehicles so they have American plates. Over time, it just becomes the default that nothing is based in Canada …writers, planners, producers, game story designers, etc just start with Anything But Canada as a default.
Edit to add: Canada is a bit better represented in video games than in TV/movies, but there is still bias. It really is time to change this.
scrotumsweat on
Like 30% of Chel games are in canada
Bonesgrip on
Kona 1&2 in Northern Québec
jaimonee on
Fallout has some great Canadian lore set within the game, there were rumours that rhe next game would be set here. Bring on the giant mutant raccoons!
Optimal_Whiner on
Why would they be? Many are historical or fantasy driven.
Yantarlok on
Canada is consistently mentioned in one of the most popular RPGs of all time, Fallout. It makes an appearance right on the opening sequence of fallout 1, in fact. After that, it becomes something of a hidden running gag for every subsequent game; like an easter egg.
Once the series has run out of interesting US locations, Canada might make a brief cameo in a future game. Maybe.
izzybumboon on
They aren’t published by Canadian companies though
Full_metal_pants077 on
Sales. Our population is small and market smaller. Speaking to a larger market, especially one that really loves themselves, is gonna mean Moe sales.
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32 Kommentare
Genuinely a thoughtful article, I can’t help but hope the new Wolverine game features a good chunk of a Canadian setting to „show“ investors our country has its own charm in a video game. The Scott Pilgrim Vs the World game proved Toronto can make a vibey beat-em-up city
Because peaceable = boring. I’m good with that.
Mass effect. Canada is indeed in space.
Assassins creed. Name me a handful of interesting historical figures in canada people care about, were tearing down our own statues..
Far Cry . Shit game in general doesnt need to be set here.
US population is a lot bigger, certain US States are basically learned about on a global level (eg: some rando in Japan or Sweden or Nepal will probably know what New York is and be at at a total loss as to what Toronto is), a lot of subtle and not so subtle pushes to make something targeting larger markets (which means a higher likelihood of it being set in the US or an entirely fictional location).
I always liked that Soma started off in Toronto.
Because they’re work of fiction…
But last I checked, raccon city shares the same skyline as Montreal and you play a whole level inside the Olympic stadium in Deus ex.
For starters, 95 percent of video games are set in fantasy/fictional/abstract environments.
I love our Canadian cities and geography, but I can’t think of any that would make for a compelling video game map.
You can set a survival game here in Canada (see The Long Dark or Kona 1 & 2) but really Canada is not exactly an exciting setting for most games. It would be generic North American city and generic North American country side. We dont have a unique setting outside of survival type game play.
Games use American cities because they are heavily recognizable. They use places that are hundreds if not thousands of years old because of their history and mystery surrounding them. We have neither as a young country compared to most where games are set.
Why was Juno American?
Why was Slap Shot American?
Why was the Greyhound about an American ship, when it was based on the HMCS Sackville?
Why is Argo American instead of about the real life Canadian Caper?
Why is the miracle on ice even a thing, when the Canadians beat the Soviets many times, and the US influenced the Olympics to ban professional hockey players which meant Canada had no chance at a viable team anyways.
It’s because American media is the best in the world and to sell to Americans it must be American. If you just watched American media you’d think they single handed won WW2 after it begun in 1942.
The Montreal skyline is featured during the present day segments of one of the assassins Creed games
It looks like the new Wolverine game is going to have some levels in BC
Squad has Canadian factions and map !
NGL, I would love a GTA: GTA
One of my favourite random facts is that the Mjolnir armour in Halo is created by Lethbridge Industries which was named after Lethbridge, Alberta.
As an Albertan (Forever Canada!!!), I was pretty surprised when I played Until Dawn and learned it took place here. Game was made in the UK, but it absolutely made me appreciate it more than I would have otherwise. I think the Mass Effect games also make reference to some fictional Canadian sports teams to go along with the opening of 3 being set in Vancouver.
But yes, it’s what everyone else is saying. America is the biggest audience so western games are usually set in America. Asian games frequently take place in Asia or made up fantasy worlds too, to appeal to their markets too.
Because the U.S. has 10x our population and 95% of them won’t buy a game that is set in Canada.
Same reason shows/movies are rarely set in Canada. Americans simply won’t consume the media.
The locations in most video games are totally fictional.
Because we play video games to escape reality not relive it
Most video games are made for American audiences and also Canadian cities aren’t unique enough.
When you’re a writer you learn that a setting can do a lot of storytelling for you. The character of Canadian cities aren’t well known to the masses so it falls short.
Can’t wait for GTA: Winnipeg and Need For Speed: Out For A Rip
Honestly it feels like more Canadian games feature Canada than most films that are made here. Especially the indies like A Short Hike.
Warframe was made in Canada.
London, Ontario if I remember correctly
Zelda in Canada:
„It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this eh?“
Hands Link a hockey stick
It’s really the same with movies & TV shows, or anything else. Canada is like the country that is culturally invisible. This undermines our visibility internationally. You can see the impacts, because asking any random foreigner abroad what they know about Canada, they will know less than about just about any other G8 country. Even non-G8 countries like Australia, they will know more about.
Part of the reason is the negative, corrupting influence of American money. Usually, when US funding is involved in a project like a movie, television series or even a video game at times, they will insist on a US setting. No-one wants to risk losing funding so they go along with it. Thus Toronto subs in for New York or Chicago, BC for California, etc. They all change the license plates of vehicles so they have American plates. Over time, it just becomes the default that nothing is based in Canada …writers, planners, producers, game story designers, etc just start with Anything But Canada as a default.
Edit to add: Canada is a bit better represented in video games than in TV/movies, but there is still bias. It really is time to change this.
Like 30% of Chel games are in canada
Kona 1&2 in Northern Québec
Fallout has some great Canadian lore set within the game, there were rumours that rhe next game would be set here. Bring on the giant mutant raccoons!
Why would they be? Many are historical or fantasy driven.
Canada is consistently mentioned in one of the most popular RPGs of all time, Fallout. It makes an appearance right on the opening sequence of fallout 1, in fact. After that, it becomes something of a hidden running gag for every subsequent game; like an easter egg.
Once the series has run out of interesting US locations, Canada might make a brief cameo in a future game. Maybe.
They aren’t published by Canadian companies though
Sales. Our population is small and market smaller. Speaking to a larger market, especially one that really loves themselves, is gonna mean Moe sales.