Video game development in Quebec has a fascinating history marked by innovation and remarkable growth, evolving from a nascent industry in the 1980s to one of the world’s largest development hubs.
La Guilde unites, represents and promotes the Quebec video-game ecosystem through a variety of activities and programs focused on the success of its 330 members. Acting as the voice of a world-class industry, it contributes to the success and influence of local companies.
Learn moreLearn moreHistory of video games in Quebec
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The First Steps (1980-1990)
The Quebec video game story begins in 1982 with Tétards (Baby Frogs), the province’s first game, developed for Apple II and distributed by Logidisque, a publishing house founded by writer Louis-Philippe Hébert. In 1984, Mimi la fourmi, an educational game, followed. However, these modest beginnings didn’t yet signal a true industry.
In 1982, Bernard Landry, then Minister of Economic Development in René Lévesque’s government, published a groundbreaking 250-page document titled Le virage technologique (The Technological Turn) that laid the foundation for Quebec’s state investment in technology industries.
The industry gained momentum in 1986 with the creation of Softimage, a pioneering 3D graphics software company led by Daniel Langlois. This pivotal moment established the basis for Quebec’s multimedia technology development.
Têtards
the first video game developed in Quebec for Apple II
The 1990s: The Foundation of local studios
Quebec began making its mark in the video game industry during the 1990s. In 1992, MEGATOON‘s founding in Quebec City marked the birth of a major studio. Its first game, Jersey Devil for PlayStation, pioneered console game development in the province. In 1996, MEGATOON was acquired by Malofilm Communications and merged to become Behaviour Interactive, which would grow into one of Quebec’s largest studios, known for the mega-hit Dead by Daylight.
1997 was decisive with Ubisoft’s arrival in Montreal, followed by several other major international studios attracted by tax incentives. Ubisoft Montreal’s repeated successes with established franchises like Prince of Persia, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, along with creating new franchises Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell, quickly established it as one of the French publisher’s pillar studios and its largest production center worldwide, now employing over 3,000 people. This development propelled Quebec into becoming one of the world’s video game development hubs.
- Jersey Devil, the first game developed in Quebec for consoles
- 1997 : the arrival of Ubisoft in Montreal
The 2000s-2010s: Industry expansion and independent Studios
The 2000s saw Quebec’s video game studios multiply rapidly. Companies like Frima Studio (2003) and Ludia (2007) strengthened the province’s international presence.
Major players established studios in Quebec, including Electronic Arts Montreal (2004), Eidos-Montréal (2007), and Warner Bros. Games Montréal (2010).
The indie game sector flourished; Quebec developer Phil Fish’s Fez gained worldwide attention through Indie Game: The Movie and platforms like Xbox Live Arcade. New innovative studios emerged, including Sarbakan (1998) and Illogika (2009).
Quebec also became a mobile gaming hub with Gameloft Montréal (2000) and Hexacto (2001). Founded in 2011, Square Enix Montréal made its mark in the mobile field with Hitman GO and Lara Croft GO.
2010 and Beyond: continued growth and new challenges
Since 2010, Quebec’s video game sector has grown steadily, reaching over 300 studios by 2022.
Mid-sized studios emerged, with industry veterans founding companies like Red Barrels (2011) and Panache Jeux Numériques (2014), leveraging their expertise to create Quebec-owned gaming properties.
These veterans pass their knowledge to new generations of developers through studios and classrooms. Quebec now offers more than 75 video game development programs across its educational institutions. (Source : Synthèse)
Some key games developed in Quebec
- Prince of Persia, Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell (Ubisoft)
- Tomb Raider, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Eidos-Montréal)
- Dead by Daylight (Behaviour Interactive)
- Jotun, Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games)
- Outlast (Red Barrels)
- The Messenger et Sea of Stars (Sabotage)
- Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey (Panache Jeux Numériques)
- Outward (Nine Dots Studio)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge, Mercenary Kings (Tribute Games)
- Army of Two (EA Montreal)
- Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
- Batman : Arkham Origins, Gotham Knights (WB Games Montreal)
- Disney Dreamlight Valley (Gameloft Montréal)
- Call of Duty, Crash Team Racing (Beenox)
- Fez (Polytron Corporation)
- We Happy Few (Compulsion Games)
- Pewdiepie : Legend of the Brofist, Turbo Kid (Outerminds)
- Broken Edge (Trebuchet)
- Été (Impossible
- Hitman Go, Lara Croft Go (Square Enix Montréal)
- Infernax (Berzerk)
- Journey to the Savage Planet (Raccoon Logic)
- La vallée qui murmure (Studio Chien d’Or)
- Sang-Froid : Tales of Werewolves (Artifice)
- Season : A letter to the future (Scavengers Studio)
- Two Falls : Nishu Takuatshina (Unreliable Narrators)
- This bed we made (Lowbirth Games)
- Tribes of Midgard (Norsfell)
- Ultimate Chicken Horse (Clever Endeavour Games)
- Keepsake (Wicked Studios)
- Kona (Parabole)
Our games are played by hundreds of millions players around the world.
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The content of this page was developed in collaboration with
Other contributors :
Sophie Bernard, journalist – Le Lien Multimédia
Mario J. Ramos, editor in chief – Videoludique.ca