Level Up Showcase Puts Ontario’s Top Game Design Talent In The Spotlight

^[1]On April 3, 2013, the 3rd annual Level Up Showcase ^[2] will kick off at the Design Exchange, featuring student-developed games and over 600 attendees from Ontario’s diverse video games community. The event is co-hosted and organized by faculty from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), University of Toronto and OCAD University.

Level Up turns the spotlight on the most talented students in design, animation and computer science programs from colleges and universities across Ontario. This event has become synonymous with up-and-coming creative talent, offering an exclusive opportunity for industry professionals and the public to get their hands on playable games from graduating students.

This year’s free event will see a record-breaking 50 team projects across 12 different institutions: the University of Toronto, OCAD U, UOIT, Centennial College, Humber College, Seneca College, Sheridan College, George Brown College, TriOS College, Ryerson University, York University and Brock University. Level Up attendees can expect games that use the most current technology and gaming platforms, from PCs to mobile devices, and more.

“We’re proud to highlight the dynamic graduates entering our evolving games industry,” said Steve Engels, Level Up co-organizer. “It’s the only time and place where prospective employers can see our budding talent first-hand under one roof.”

There will also be a competition and a judging panel of industry sponsors including NBC Universal, Microsoft, Big Viking Games, XMG Studio, Zynga and Sennheiser with awards from 3D printing company Anubis presented to the winning teams.

For more information, visit the Level Up Showcase ^[2] web site and follow @levelupTO ^[3] for updates. Attendees can RSVP through Facebook ^[4] or Eventbrite ^[5].