Category Archives: Canada

Frontier Developments has announced it’s opening a new development studio in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The firm said the region has been on its “radar as an attractive geographic and commercial environment,” in which it can create titles as be surrounded by the pool of local universities graduates and various indie developers. “We are excited about opening an office in Halifax, our first outside of the UK,” said COO and president David Walsh. “The studio will be up and running during August, collaborating with our teams in the UK. We are looking forward to working together with our new colleagues, integrating quickly into the Halifax area and making a positive contribution to the Nova Scotia business community.”

Two titles have been shelved, including Microsoft Flight, but Microsoft has not closed its Vancouver studio.

More »

American and Canadian iOS users have the chance to score a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, by downloading Darksiders II: Soul Harvest. The location-based app lets you check in at various locations – Best Buy’s net bonus points – and harvest the souls of everyone who preceded you. The Yucatan boasts plenty of attractions including the seat of Mayan civilization and the border of the Chicxculub crater, a top pick for the landing zone of the asteroid that caused the mass extinction of dinosaurs. Because apocalypse, I guess? Grab the app here. Darksiders II launches on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in August.

In its continued efforts to shore up flagging finances, THQ will consolidate its QA operation in the cheap and cheerful Montreal office, with 57 staff affected by the closure of an Arizona operation.

More »

Dead Rising 2 developer Capcom Vancouver has let a number of staff go, but isn’t on the rocks.

More »

As usual, Atlus has arranged a special bonus for North American pre-orders. Pick up Persona 4 Arena from one of 11 participating retailers to score a free soundtrack CD. The RPG spin-off fighter hits PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in early August; a European release has not been dated but is expected soon.

In spite of THQ’s recent financial crisis, the company’s newly appointed president Jason Rubin is confident the fate of its Montreal studio, formed in 2009, isn’t going to be the same as its recently closed San Diego studio.

More »

Once again, Canadians have won. This Future Shop exclusive Ghost Recon: Future Soldier bundle includes a steelbook and a statuette, and is apparently available in quite limited quantitites. Consoles only, I’m afraid; although the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 version drop next week, the PC release is a few weeks behind.

More »

In its efforts to build the new Toronto studio into an 800-strong team, Ubisoft is putting aside $505 million.

More »

Army of Two and Skate It developer EA Montreal will let some staff go as part of “routine changes”.

More »

The Canadian government has withheld grant money promised to Silicon Knights back in July 2011, as it claims  funding conditions were not met by the developer.

More »

Indie effort Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP earned a whopping nine nominations for the 2012 Canadian Videogame Awards.

More »

EA has confirmed a “small” round of layoffs in its Vancouver offices due to the location undergoing a “transformation” of EA Canada and Black Box studios’ home.

More »

Major Nelson advises streaming video services CinemaNow and Crackle have both been activated on Xbox Live. CinemaNow is only available within the US, but Crackle has also been pushed out to Australia, Canada and the UK. The new additions join a growing collection of entertainment services available from the Metro-style Xbox 360 dashboard update, which Microsoft has touted as “the future of TV”.

Thanks, Engadget.

Canadian import website Videogameplus.ca has been hacked, according to an Edge report. A forum user on the site reported that its customer database has been compromised, with details leaked including names, phone numbers, dates of birth and encrypted passwords, which soon found their way onto Pastebin. Users are advised to change their passwords.

Ubisoft has announced it’s closed its Vancouver studio, which was previously known as Action Pants before the publisher acquire it in 2009. Under the Ubisoft umbrella, the firm works on various sports titles such as Pure Futbol, Academy of Champions: Soccer, and Motionsports Adrenaline. “We have made the difficult decision to close its studio in Vancouver [as] unfortunately, we haven’t found the right formula for success for the talented team there,” a Ubisoft spokesperson told GameInformer. “Team members will have the opportunity to consider positions in other Ubisoft studios and we will work with each of them to help find the best next step, whether it be within Ubisoft or outside.”

Sony has updated Video Unlimited for the US, with new releases such as Paranormal Activity: The Chronology, Moneyball, and Scorpion King 3. Yes, they made a third one.

More »

Alexandre Amancio, creative director on Assassin’s Creed Revelations, has left Ubisoft to join Cossette, a marketing firm based out of Montreal.

More »

Sony has updated the US PS Video Store with the thriller Contagion, the “why this didn’t just go directly to video” film I Don’t Know How She Does It, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, and the equally forgettable, Shark Night.

More »

Sony has updated its US movie and TV offerings with plenty of goodies to watch, starting with The Hangover Part II an the sci-fi western, Cowboys & Aliens.

More »