Ontario Game Testers

Advantages for ONCreates Projects

Published June 1, 2026

Are you an Ontario-based studio working on an Ontario Creates IDM Funded project? Keeping that QA budget right here in the province can stretch your development dollar much further than outsourcing to low-cost international hubs.

Offshore testing teams look cheap on paper, but they often come with operational friction, not to mention, zero local tax advantages. By partnering with a local QA company like Ontario Game Testers, you secure the best value-per-dollar for your QA pipeline.

Stacking the SMOE and the OIDMTC

When you build a game with Ontario Creates IDM production funding, your pipeline depends heavily on the SMOE tab (Schedule of Minimum Ontario Expenditures). Ontario Creates covers up to 50% of your production costs here, provided you keep your spending local.

Hiring an international or out-of-province studio means that money leaks right out of your budget template, which could force you to pay 100% of that invoice out-of-pocket. When you partner with a local company, you unlock a highly effective financial double-dip.

The Reality of a $10,000 QA Spend

Obviously every project needs a different amount, but let's look at an example $10,000 QA spend with Ontario Game Testers for your Ontario Creates project as an example:

  1. The SMOE 50% Match: Because we are a registered Ontario corporation, our invoice goes straight onto your SMOE sheet. Ontario Creates matches the expense, cutting your cash exposure down to $5,000.
  2. The OIDMTC 35% Cash Refund: Your remaining out-of-pocket cost is an eligible external expenditure under the Specified Product Track of the Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit. You receive a 35% refundable credit back from the CRA, returning another $1,750 to your bank account.
The Final Math: A local $10,000 testing cycle ultimately costs your studio just $3,250.

Shipping that work overseas means you lose your local spending ratios and pay the full, un-subsidized $10,000 out of your runway. We keep your build clean and protect your tax credits at the same time.

Working on an ONCreates IDM Funded project? Give us a call to plan out your QA!