Excellent Canadian Game Studios

If you’re familiar with game design, you know there are great design studios all over the world. If you’re an American that enjoys playing games, it’s easy to forget that not every game is made in the United States! Further north is a beautiful place known as Canada.

Within Canada are some brilliant, talented people that work as game developers and game designers. Who would have thought? This list looks at ten cool game design studios that can be found north of the northern U.S. border.

Sarbakan

Sarbakan is a company that was founded in 1998. In its early years, the company focused almost exclusively on web-based games, creating over 600 games by 2008. The company is 85 people strong and based out of Quebec City, Canada. In the later 2000s, Sarbakan started creating games for Xbox Live Arcade, like Lazy Raiders (2010).

They also generated Nintendo DS titles Like Johnny Test (2011). In 2012 they partnered with Disney and created “Where’s my Water” for the mobile platforms. It was a game that went on to win multiple awards, and it’s fun!

Interesting Facts

• Prolific Output: Founded in 1998 by Guy Boucher in Quebec City, Sarbakan delivered an impressive 600 games within a decade of its inception. Their portfolio ranges from web-based games to console digital downloads.
• Disney Collaboration: In 2010, Sarbakan began a significant collaboration with Disney Interactive Studios. One of their joint ventures, “Where’s My Water,” won multiple accolades, including the ‘Game of the Year’ by Pocket Gamer and the iPhone “Apple Design Award” in 2012.
• Ownership Evolution: Sarbakan underwent changes in ownership over the years. Initially acquired by Adrenaline Amusements in 2013, it was later procured by the Japanese holding company, YE&U Corporation, in 2016.
• Diverse Game Genres: Sarbakan’s game development spectrum is vast. From puzzle games like “Where’s My Water?” and “Lazy Raiders” to action-packed titles like “Wreck-it Ralph” and “Goldfish_Get Gilbert,” the studio has showcased its versatility in the gaming domain.

Relic Entertainment

Relic Entertainment started back in 1997. In 2004 it was purchased by THQ, and then in 2013 it was sold to Sega. Relic Entertainment’s forte has been Real-Time Strategy Games.

They released Homeworld in 1999, which was a big success in the RTS genre. They are also responsible for many of the Warhammer 40,000 games, as well as the Company of Heroes games. They are based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. Their company size is somewhere between 51 and 200 employees.

Interesting Facts

• Canadian Roots: Founded in 1997, Relic Entertainment is a Canadian video game developer based in Vancouver. The studio was established by a group of passionate individuals including Alex Garden, Luke Moloney, Erin Daly, Aaron Kambeitz, Rob Cunningham, Gary Shaw, and Shane Alfreds.
• Masters of Strategy: Relic is celebrated for its specialization in real-time strategy games. They have gifted the gaming world with iconic series such as Homeworld, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and Company of Heroes.
• Homeworld’s Legacy: Relic’s debut title, Homeworld, released in 1999, was met with critical acclaim and impressive sales. This space-based strategy game set the tone for the studio’s future endeavors.
• Innovative Gameplay: Relic’s games often introduce innovative mechanics. For instance, their title “Impossible Creatures” allowed players to design units using different anatomical parts of animals, offering a unique gameplay experience.

Radical Entertainment

Radical Entertainment is another Canadian game design studio based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. Sierra Entertainment acquired them in 2005, and then Activision acquired them in 2008. They were responsible for The Crash Bandicoot series, and they also developed the Prototype series.

Unfortunately, after the Prototype 2 launch didn’t find the hoped-for success in 2012 (despite being pretty well received, sales just weren’t high enough), Activision drastically reduced the size of Radical Entertainment.

It’s no longer developing its own games, but serving as a support team for other Activision projects. Even with its fall from glory, as the oldest Vancouver-based game design studio ( it was founded in 1991) it warrants a spot on the list.

Interesting Facts

• Notable Games: Radical Entertainment is renowned for developing iconic games such as “The Simpsons: Hit & Run”, “Prototype”, and “Prototype 2”. They also had a significant role in the Crash Bandicoot franchise, including titles like “Crash Tag Team Racing” and “Crash: Mind over Mutant”.
• Collaborations and Innovations: Radical Entertainment was not just about game development. They collaborated with SPY Wireless Media in 2001 to develop a wireless content management solution. They also had a division, 369 Interactive, which developed titles based on the CSI franchise in partnership with Ubi Soft.
• Awards and Recognitions: Radical Entertainment’s commitment to excellence was recognized when they were named one of Canada’s top 50 best-managed private companies in December 2000. Additionally, the company’s president, Ian Wilkinson, received the Ernst & Young’s 2001 Media and Entertainment Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Next Level Games

Next Level Games is a third Vancouver-based game developer. They are 70 employees deep and have done very well for themselves since their start in 2002. Their work with Nintendo is what originally put them on the map for most gamers. They were responsible for releasing titles like Mario Strikers and Punch-Out! for the Wii.

Next Level Games also developed Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon for the 3DS, which was very well received. They have a game slated for an August release on the 3DS, Metroid Prime Federation Force.

It will be interesting to see what happens because so far fans have been reacting very negatively to the trailers and press surrounding the game. Even with a potential Metroid Prime blunder, they deserve a spot on the list!

Interesting Facts

• Diverse Portfolio: The studio’s first project was “NHL Hitz Pro”, published by Midway Games in 2003. Over the years, they’ve developed a range of titles, from the Mario Strikers games to the Luigi’s Mansion series for various Nintendo platforms.
• Exclusive Partnership: In January 2014, Next Level Games announced that they would work exclusively with Nintendo, solidifying their relationship.
• Recent Developments: Their latest announced project is “Mario Strikers: Battle League”, continuing their legacy of delivering engaging titles in collaboration with Nintendo.

Economic Impact Assessment of Canada’s Video Game Industry (2021)

Hothead Games

Hothead Games is yet another game developer based out of the Canadian game design hotbed known as Vancouver. This developer is home to about 120 employees. In 2009 they were responsible for porting the acclaimed game Braid to PS3 and Mac (anyone still listening to that soundtrack?).

On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness might be their most well-known creation. It is an episodic role-playing/adventure game series. It was based on a webcomic called Penny Arcade.

Most recently they’ve released titles like BIG WIN NHL and Boom Boom Soccer for mobile download. Hothead has only been kicking around since 2006, making it the youngest game studio to make the list.

Interesting Facts

• Diverse Portfolio: From shooters and sports to idle games, Hothead Games has a diverse portfolio. Their creations have not only achieved the #1 spot on app stores in over 60 countries but have also been downloaded by millions of gamers globally.
• Impressive Achievements: The studio boasts of being among the top 100 mobile game developers worldwide. Their games have been downloaded over a quarter of a billion times, underscoring their massive global reach.
• Growing and Hiring: The studio is in a phase of expansion, actively hiring and looking for talent to join their team in Vancouver.

HB Studios

The year 2000 saw the birth of HB Studios. A man named Jeremy Wellard founded HB Studios in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. With just nine employees to start, HB Studios cranked out Cricket 2002 for the Asia Pacific EA Studio.

Four years after its founding, HB Studios entered into an agreement with EA Canada to continue developing not only cricket games but rugby games as well.

In March 2016, they announced their impending physics-driven snowboarding game, which will let you design your own mountain parks and even entire mountain ranges. The game is called Infinite Air.

Interesting Facts

• Sports Enthusiasts: The studio is renowned for its exceptional sports video games, with a legacy that speaks volumes about their passion for the genre.
• Community Champions: HB Studios is deeply rooted in community involvement. They award scholarships, collaborate with local universities, and support various community projects.
• Global Reach: With over 52 titles under their belt, HB Studios’ games have sold more than 29 million units globally, and they’ve contributed to an additional 22 titles, showcasing their vast influence in the gaming world.

Big Blue Bubble

Big Blue Bubble is the independent mobile game-developing giant behind the hit game My Singing Monsters. They are based out of London, Ontario, and have an employee force falling somewhere between 51 and 200 people.

They started in 2004 and have grown to become the largest independent mobile game developing company in all of Canada. Big Blue Bubble is also responsible for 24: The Mobile Game (among other titles) which was very well received.

Interesting Facts

• Global Recognition: Their dedication to producing engaging games hasn’t gone unnoticed. They’ve received accolades from esteemed organizations like Deloitte, BAFTA, and IGN.
• Diverse Portfolio: While they’re renowned for “My Singing Monsters,” Big Blue Bubble’s game repertoire is vast. They’ve ventured into action-platformers with “Foregone” and are currently developing a music-based roguelike deck-building game, “Power Chord.”
• Monstrous Success: Their flagship franchise, “My Singing Monsters,” is not just a game but a phenomenon. This family-friendly title, where players breed and feed quirky singing monsters, has expanded into books, merchandise, and even live events.

Beenox

Beenox is a game design studio with over 330 people. This is another company under the parent company of Activision (as of 2005). Their claim to fame is really in the realm of porting games for other systems. In the early 2000’s they were porting games like those in the Tony Hawk franchise to PC and Mac.

More recently, they brought Black Ops III to Xbox 360 and PS3. One of the games they developed themselves is Bee Movie Game based on Bee Movie, the film from Dreamworks Studios. Clearly there is a bee fascination somewhere in that studio. Beenox is based out of Quebec City.

Interesting Facts

• Spider-Man’s Web: Beenox has a rich history with Spider-Man games, developing titles such as “Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions,” “Spider-Man: Edge of Time,” and “The Amazing Spider-Man” series.
• Awards and Accolades: Beenox’s commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed. Their collaborative spirit and talent have helped them clinch prestigious awards in an industry known for its fierce competition.

Behaviour Interactive

Weighing in at 375 employees, Behaviour Interactive is one of the biggest game design studios on the list. This studio calls Montreal, Quebec home. Behaviour Interactive has had quite the name-change journey since its founding in 1992.

At its inception, it had the name Advance IT Institute, which was sold in 1996 to Malofilm Communications, who changed the name to Behaviour Interactive. It was reacquired by the original founder in 1999, who was forced to change the name and decided on Artificial Mind and Movement, Inc.

Which they (quite questionably) abbreviated to A2M. In 2010 they changed back to Behaviour Interactive, and that’s where they are today. In recent years they created Fallout Shelter, a mobile game based on the Fallout franchise that lets you run your own vault, acting as Overseer.

They are also developing a Warhammer 40,000 game. Their installment is Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade, which has an initial release date of sometime/2016.

Interesting Facts

• Best Known For Dead by Daylight: Among its many accomplishments, Behaviour Interactive is globally recognized for its horror multiplayer game, “Dead by Daylight.” This game not only achieved over 1 million sales within its first two months but has also amassed a player base of over 50 million worldwide.
• Impressive Growth: The success of “Dead by Daylight” played a pivotal role in the company’s financial growth. From revenues of CAD $25 million in 2015, Behaviour soared to CAD $225 million in 2021. This growth trajectory showcases the studio’s commitment to quality and innovation.

Bioware

If you thought Behavior Interactive was big, you should see Bioware! These guys employ 800 people! Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Bioware is a powerhouse RPG developer. Their original IP content includes games like Mass Effect, Jade Empire, and Dragon Age.

They can also crush it with licensed franchises: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur’s Gate. As you probably know, Bioware is actually owned by Electronic Arts.

Founded in 1995, it had ten years of independence before entering into a partnership, and the partnership was purchased two years later by EA. All that wheeling and dealing doesn’t seem to have slowed them down, as they’ve continued to put out great RPG games.

Interesting Facts

• Storytelling Maestros: BioWare is synonymous with rich narratives and unforgettable characters. Their portfolio boasts iconic titles like “Baldur’s Gate™”, “Neverwinter Nights™”, “Star Wars™: Knights of the Old Republic™”, “Mass Effect™”, and “Dragon Age™”.
• From Medicine to Gaming: The studio’s inception is a tale of passion. Drs. Greg Zeschuk, Ray Muzyka, and Augustine Yip, who initially met in medical school, transitioned from creating medical education software to founding BioWare. Their shared love for computer games was the catalyst behind this transformative journey.
• Anthem & Star Wars: BioWare’s current projects include “Anthem™”, a co-operative Action-RPG, and “Star Wars™: The Old Republic™”, a story-driven MMO. They’re also envisioning future experiences for the “Mass Effect™” and “Dragon Age™” franchises.

Image Sources

https://sarbakanstudio.com/
https://www.relic.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-blue-bubble/?originalSubdomain=ca
https://gamingtrend.com/news/its-out-of-this-world-check-out-bioware-edmontons-new-digs/

Other Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarbakan
https://www.relic.com/#slider
https://nextlevelgames.com/about/
https://www.hotheadgames.com/
ESAC Final Report 2021