The 2026 Canadian Game Awards were held in Toronto last month, and British Columbia had a massive night, with B.C.-based studios and talent dominating nominations and taking home several top honours.
Hosted by Canadian Mass Effect stars Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, the ceremony featured developers and content creators receiving awards, along with first looks at upcoming games. Vancouver’s Ivy Road — though no longer in operation — posthumously claimed Game of the Year for Wanderstop, and the studio also picked up Best Indie Game and a nomination for Best Narrative. Fellow Vancouver studio Buffalo Buffalo’s Fresh Tracks earned nominations for both Best Indie Game and the ESAC Fan Choice Award.
On the performance side, Vancouver’s Momona Tamada was recognized for her role in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and EA Canada brought home Best Mobile Game for EA Sports FC 26 Mobile. Coal Car Studio’s Fruit Golf won Best VR/AR Game, and the competitive gaming scene showed up strong, with Kelowna’s Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken winning Best Esports Player. Vancouver’s Victor Lucas and Electric Playground won Best Content Creator and also received the inaugural Game Changer Award.
Game of the Year
- Wanderstop (Ivy Road — Vancouver, B.C.) (Studio no longer in operation)
Best Indie Game
- Fresh Tracks (Buffalo Buffalo — Vancouver, B.C.)
- *WINNER* Wanderstop (Ivy Road — Vancouver, B.C.)
Best Narrative
- Wanderstop (Ivy Road — Vancouver, B.C.)
Entertainment Software Association of Canada Fan Choice Award
- Fresh Tracks (Buffalo Buffalo — Vancouver, B.C.)
Best Performance
- Momona Tamada as Oni-yuri in Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Vancouver, B.C.)
Best Mobile Game
- EA Sports FC 26 Mobile (EA Canada — Vancouver, B.C.)
Best VR/AR Game
- Fruit Golf (Coal Car Studio — Vancouver, B.C.)
Best Esports Event
- Battle of BC 7 (Vancouver, B.C.)
Best Esports Player
- *WINNER* Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken (Kelowna, B.C.)
Best Esports Coach
- Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling (Vancouver, B.C.)
Best Esports and Gaming Organization
- Vancouver Surge (Vancouver, B.C.)
Best Content Creator
- *WINNER* Victor Lucas/Electric Playground (Vancouver, B.C.) [also received the inaugural Game Changer Award]
Innovation in Accessibility
- EA Sports FC26 (EA Vancouver — Vancouver, B.C.)
- Wanderstop (Ivy Road — Vancouver, B.C.)
Featured image: Fresh Tracks (Buffalo Buffalo)
