You and I both know that every person that has ever said, “If [so and so] gets elected, I’m moving to Canada!” is lying. Well, it seems that Canada is starting to call our bluff, doing everything it can to attract game developers to the area — when Canadian provinces aren’tduking it out over studios, the country’s cultural industry agency, Telefilm, is handing out boatloads of cash,reports Gamasutra.

Recently, Telefilm has been giving Canadian indie development what I’m sure is a much-appreciated shot in the arm, handing out “repayable advances.” Here’s how they work: the loans must be paid back out of the game’s profits, but not if the game doesn’t make any money. Developers can knock off an extra 10% if they release English- and French-language versions.

Article image

So, who’s been taking advantage of Canada’s institutionalized dedication to cultural progress? Well, Metanet (the developers ofN+) received a bit of change andKlei Entertainmentreceived $70, 238 forEets: ChowdownandEets: Hunger. It’s Emotionaland $90,000 for the original PC version ofEets.Polytron Corporation, responsible forsure-to-be-hitFez, were the proud recipient of $73,682, and Hothead Entertainment (ofPenny Arcadefame) received $536,069 forDeathSpank, the latest game fromMonkey Islandcreator Ron Gilbert.

Unfortunately, it might not all be rainbows and ice cream sundaes and butterflies up North: Polytron’s Jason DeGroot commented that while Telefilm did provide pre-production funding forFez, they “decided to pull the carpet from beneath our feet for 2009,” noting also that next year, the Canadian New Media Fund (where Telefilm gets these loans) will be merged into the Canadian Television Fund. Translation? In 2010, television, film, and games development will all be competing for the same pieces of the pie.

John and Molly sitting on the park bench

[ViaGamePolitics]

Close up shot of Marissa Marcel starring in Ambrosio

Kukrushka sitting in a meadow

Lightkeeper pointing his firearm overlapped against the lighthouse background

Overseer looking over the balcony in opening cutscene of Funeralopolis

Edited image of Super Imposter looking through window in No I’m not a Human demo cutscene with thin man and FEMA inside the house

Indie game collage of Blue Prince, KARMA, and The Midnight Walk

Close up shot of Jackie in the Box

Silhouette of a man getting shot as Mick Carter stands behind cover