2023 was one of “triumph” for the Quebec video game industry, which reaffirmed its place in the big leagues and distinguished itself internationally.
In early December, Quebec City shone at the Game Awards ceremony, often referred to as the Oscars of video games.
The game Sea of starsdeveloped by Sabotage, it was crowned best independent game, while Baldur’s Gate 3Developed in part in Quebec by Larian Studios, it won six awards, including Game of the Year and Gamer’s Choice.
According to Pierre Moisan, consultant and pioneer in the sector, this recognition is not trivial.
A scene from Baldur’s Gate 3. Screenshot provided by Larian Studios
“Quebec City has had a leadership role in Canada for years, absolutely. It dates back to the ’90s,” she recalls.
“It’s a bit of a triumph or recognition of this ecosystem, which has developed over the years and which has generated very talented people,” says this former member of the Megatoon and Frima companies.
Good for recruiting
It is interesting to note that in at least three of the games awarded during the ceremony there is a reference to poutine, as a dish that can be consumed by the character.
Larian Studios, which has six studios around the world, including a branch with around sixty employees in the Saint-Roch district, has won over a large audience with its game set in the fantastic universe of Dungeons and Dragons.
“It gives us some local notoriety, which is also good for recruitment,” emphasizes Nicolas Fillion-Roy, head of talent attraction at the studio.
The team at the Larian studio in Quebec. Photo provided by Larian Québec
According to him, the video game ecosystem is alive and well in Quebec, because it can count on numerous training programs, established businesses and government aid.
Larian Québec also plans to expand in the coming years.
“The fun part is that the talent stays here. People don’t necessarily export a lot to other countries to work in this field, because there are very strong studios here,” says Fillion-Roy.
Reputation
As for Sabotage Studio, we’re still pinching ourselves after the success of Sea of starsa role-playing game with a retro aesthetic.
“There are more than 4 million people who have interpreted a production made by 25 people on Saint-Joseph Street,” exclaims the president and creative director, Thierry Boulanger.
Sylvain Cloutier, Philip Barclay, Philippe Dionne and Thierry Boulanger of Sabotage Studio at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles in December. Photo provided by Sabotage Studio
He notes that Quebec’s reputation is increasingly established.
“Things have changed a lot in recent years. You can be at GDC in San Francisco [une conférence de développeur, NDLR]; you talk to people and say ‘I’m from Quebec,’ then their faces light up,” he says.
Sea of Stars is a turn-based role-playing game inspired by the classics of the genre. Screenshot provided by Sabotage Studio
For Pierre Moisan we can talk about an ecosystem that has become “mature”, which has nothing to envy that of Montreal even if the number of studios is greater.
Furthermore, the environment is particularly conducive to the development of smaller, “locally owned” studios, resulting in “the money staying here, as they say.”
“Quebec is on mapthat’s for sure,” he believes.
The video game industry in Quebec
- 109 “technocreative” companies, including 40 video game studios, 7 animation studios and more than 20 specialized companies
- 5 international leaders established in Quebec
- 2100 direct jobs
- $333 million in economic benefits
Source: Quebec International. Data as of 2022, excluding economic benefits (2019).
2024-01-05 05:00:00
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