For years, cities like Helsinki, London and San Francisco have dominated conversations around mobile game development. But another city has quietly built one of the strongest ecosystems in North America.

According to Tayber Voyer, CEO of A Thinking Ape, Vancouver's success hasn't happened overnight. It's the result of decades of game development experience, an unusually collaborative community, and an environment that allows studios to thrive.

"We have a massive pool of talent, great tax incentives, competitive exchange rate, great skiing, and some of the best sushi in the world," he says.

It's a summary that captures why more developers are choosing to build games, and careers, in Vancouver.

Built on Collaboration

Voyer believes one of the defining characteristics of the games industry is its willingness to share knowledge.

"When I first started my career, one of the things that attracted me to games was how open the community is," he explains. "Game developers like to see each other succeed, and are always willing to share what's working and what's not working."

That mindset is one of the reasons A Thinking Ape has supported Gamesforum Vancouver since its early days. 

"Without events like this we wouldn't be able to do that," Voyer says. "Gamesforum in particular has always supported the community in the Pacific Northwest with high-quality events."

It's this openness that has helped Vancouver develop a reputation for innovation. Rather than operating in silos, studios regularly exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and learn from one another, creating an environment where the entire ecosystem benefits.

A City Built for Game Development

A Thinking Ape itself is part of Vancouver's gaming story.

Founded in 2008 after its three founders joined the Y Combinator accelerator, the studio built its reputation creating mobile games centred around social mechanics and live operations. In 2020, the company was acquired by Embracer in a $100 million deal and has since continued to grow by applying its LiveOps expertise across Embracer's mobile division.

For Voyer, that journey reflects the opportunities Vancouver offers ambitious studios.

"The history of Vancouver as a game development hub means that our talent pool is one of the biggest in the country," he says.

Years of investment have created a workforce filled with experienced designers, engineers, artists and product leaders who have worked across some of the industry's biggest studios and live-service titles.

A Connected Ecosystem

Talent alone doesn't explain Vancouver's success.

Voyer believes the city's biggest strength is how interconnected its studios have become.

"We are also a tight-knit community and everyone knows each other," he says. "There are tons of startups and studios and teams that have all worked together."

That network creates a unique environment where ideas, expertise and people move freely between companies. Whether it's experienced developers mentoring new founders or studios collaborating through industry events, the city has developed a culture that encourages long-term growth rather than competition alone.

Why Honest Conversations Matter

That collaborative mindset is also why Voyer is such a supporter of Gamesforum's signature Unfiltered sessions. 

"We're in this weird place now in the industry where the public conversations are often dominated by a small number of consultant influencers," he says.

Instead, he believes attendees are looking for something more authentic.

"I think people get excited when they get to hear from people who are actually heads down shipping product and working on games."

Those candid conversations have become increasingly valuable as studios navigate changing player expectations, rising acquisition costs and an increasingly competitive market.

More Than a Great Place to Work

Of course, Vancouver's appeal extends beyond game development. Alongside its business advantages which include competitive tax incentives and a favourable exchange rate, it's also a city known for its lifestyle.

For Voyer, that means easy access to mountains, world-class skiing and exceptional food, all of which help attract and retain talent from around the world.

And for those visiting Gamesforum Vancouver for the first time?

"I know they'll leave thinking the city is beautiful and vibrant," he says, "and the games industry is filled with kind, hardworking, and talented people who care deeply about making great games."

Looking Ahead

As the mobile games industry continues to evolve, Vancouver has all the ingredients needed to remain one of its most exciting hubs. A deep talent pool, a culture built on collaboration, thriving startups, established studios and events like Gamesforum all contribute to a thriving ecosystem.

For those who haven't yet looked west when thinking about mobile gaming, Vancouver may just be the industry's best-kept secret but perhaps not for much longer!