In Edmonton’s growing game industry, Isaac Otway is creating immersive, story-driven experiences that connect with audiences worldwide.
With a background in IT, finance, and organizational leadership, Isaac founded Crimson Herring Studios in 2020 with the vision of building games rooted in strong narrative and strategy. During the development of its first title, the studio scaled up to over 20 developers–bringing together a diverse team of artists, writers, and programmers.
In 2024, Crimson Herring released Sovereign Syndicate, a Victorian steampunk RPG with a branching dialogue system and tarot-inspired mechanics. The game has now sold over 40,000 copies in more than 100 countries.
“We’ve raised about $2 million to build the game, and Edmonton Screen was part of that,” Isaac says.
From Edmonton to the World’s Biggest Gaming Stages
For an indie studio, visibility can make all the difference. That’s where Edmonton Screen played a key role. Through the Summit Push Program, Crimson Herring had the opportunity to attend major industry events, including the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco and Gamescom in Germany, the largest gaming expo in the world.
“Getting visibility at events like that was massive for us,” Isaac explains. “We secured $150,000 in publisher funding because Edmonton Screen helped us get there.”
That funding, combined with support from Alberta’s Export Expansion Program, allowed the studio to meet directly with publishers and expand its business opportunities.
Why Support Matters
As Crimson Herring grew, Isaac saw just how important consistent support is for indie studios trying to compete beyond their local market.
Without dedicated funding streams or industry-specific incentives in Alberta, smaller studios often face an uphill climb. For Crimson Herring, the backing from Edmonton Screen helped bridge that gap, which gave them a chance to grow, connect, and be seen on the world stage.
“Edmonton Screen has punched above its weight because they’ve had historically reliable funding,” he says.
A Commitment to Edmonton
Despite the hurdles, Isaac chose to build his company in Edmonton because of the opportunities he saw here.
“I moved here from Vancouver because I saw economic opportunity,” he says. “This is my community, and I want to build a business where I live.”
He credits Edmonton Screen with helping him connect other local developers and expand his studio’s network.
What’s Next
Crimson Herring was recently acquired by Zugalu Entertainment, a Calgary-based video game studio and is continuing to work on new projects while also looking to support other developers across Edmonton.
“We’re not just trying to make one successful game,” Isaac says. “We’re trying to build an ecosystem.”
For Isaac, the goal isn’t just to keep making games. It’s to make Edmonton a place where more game creators can thrive.
Author: Merilyn
Communications & Social Media Consultant