As part of Toronto Games Week, OCAD University's Digital Futures program is partnering with Dirty Rectangles and Interactive Ontario, to kick off the week with Giant Video Games, a massive playable projection of Toronto-related games on the Canada Malting Silos on the waterfront.
Presented by the City of Toronto, the all-ages free public event on June 12 is celebrating gaming, art and community. The event features games created by students from Level Up Showcase and two games in development created by OCAD U alums: Capy Castaway, created by Kitten Cup Studio's Saffron Aurora and Len Predko; and Aikyam created by Thousand Stars Studio's Sally Luc and Parth Soni.
"This event will showcase the significant game-making talent and community we have here in Toronto," says Dr. Emma Westecott, associate professor at OCAD U and one of the event organizers. "I'd particularly like to highlight that event partners are coming together to build an ecosystem for game-making innovation from post-secondary student successes to start-up support to celebrating world-famous and best-selling video games."
Located at the Canada Malting Silos/Bathurst Quay Parks: 9 Eireann Quay, the outdoor program begins at sundown and runs from 8 to 11 p.m.
"Ever since OCAD U partnered with the City of Toronto towards public art programming at the silos, I have wanted to use the site to bring into focus the *huge* creativity of Toronto's game community - and how better to do that than to bring these games into focus on a giant scale?" added Dr. Westecott.
As part of Video Game Month, formally declared by Mayor Olivia Chow, this event marks Toronto's June-long tribute to the gaming industry.
Video Game Month
Throughout June, Toronto is marking Video Game Month with more than 40 events, ranging from high-profile esports competitions and professional summits to indie game festivals and creative tech showcases. Many events are free and open to the public, offering opportunities to explore, play and connect with Toronto's dynamic game development and digital media scene.
VRTO 2025 Spatial Media World Conference
OCAD U is also hosting VRTO 2025 Spatial Media World Conference, from June 25 to 26 on campus at 100 McCaul St. The conference is featuring the latest advancements in the world of virtual and augmented reality.
At this conference, visitors can explore the latest innovations in spatial media and discover its role in shaping the future. Featuring unique virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, the event is showcasing the best in the industry.
Featured talks include topics such as art and AR, wearables and haptics design, game and experience development, robotics, IoT and career development.
Cindy Poremba, associate professor, Digital Futures and co-director of game:play Lab at OCAD University is giving the talk, Capture Matters: How Volumetric Images Transform Documentary Media.
The VRTO 2025 Exhibit Hall is presenting cutting-edge technology, interactive demos, and innovative companies leading the future of AR, VR, and spatial media.
