A new video game development studio, Studio Reset, has emerged in Edmonton with a team of three individuals who previously collaborated at renowned game companies such as Bioware. Creative director Kaelin Lavallee departed from Bioware in 2015 and after working with various game firms, co-founded Studio Reset with Kris Schoneberg and Francis Lacuna earlier this year. Lavallee expressed that the primary focus was on exploring the creative and production aspects of game development.
Studio Reset is part of a trend seen among other independent Canadian game creators who have a background working for larger studios. For instance, Soft Rains studio in Toronto, responsible for the summer release “Ambrosia Sky,” includes veterans from Ubisoft and Bethesda. Another upcoming game, “Reply All,” by Peculiar Path in Toronto, features developers who have contributed to popular series like “Assassin’s Creed” and “Red Dead Redemption.”
In the competitive video game industry, smaller teams venturing out independently face risks, especially with the vast number of new releases each year. However, as major studios become more cautious in pursuing blockbuster hits, independent developers have the opportunity to showcase their creativity.
Studio Reset’s debut game, “The Eventide,” is a supernatural mystery game set in a “neon-noir” Canadian environment, paying homage to shows like “The X-Files” and narrative-based puzzle games such as “Case of the Golden Idol.” Players will select investigators from a range of characters to unravel unsolved cases, each investigator offering diverse perspectives on the mysteries, requiring players to piece together the truth.
According to Paul Fogolin, president of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, the majority of game studios in Canada are small-scale, with a symbiotic relationship between AAA and indie studios contributing to a more robust industry. Philippe Morin, co-founder of Red Barrels in Montreal, transitioned to indie development to focus on hands-on game creation, leading to their success with games like “Outlast.”
The changing landscape of the video game industry has seen significant job losses, prompting developers to explore independent ventures. Lavallee acknowledges the risks associated with starting anew, particularly in marketing games without the backing of a large budget. Various developers highlighted the support provided by entities like the Canada Media Fund in kickstarting their studios or projects.
Some new indie studios, such as Phantom Rowboat, arose from recent layoffs, like those at Ubisoft’s Halifax studio, and are focused on long-term sustainability. Despite the vast number of game developers worldwide, Studio Reset aims for success by catering to a niche audience and sustaining their business model through consistent game sales.