The founders of Gearbox Quebec, a studio that contributed to several Borderlands titles, have announced the formation of a new Canadian development team. Studio Ricochet will bring together a number of other experienced AAA developers from Canada to focus on creating original, premium games.
According to a statement released to industry publication GamesIndustry.biz, the studio’s goal is to develop original, premium games “on our own terms.” The founders stated they are “taking the opposite approach” to other post-AAA teams which have encountered difficulties in the current market. No specific financial details or launch timelines were provided in the announcement.
Background and studio leadership
Studio Ricochet is based in Canada and includes several developers who previously worked on major AAA franchises. The founding team previously led Gearbox Quebec, a studio that supported development on multiple titles in the Borderlands series. The new studio’s leadership has emphasized a desire for creative independence in a market where many large teams have faced layoffs and studio closures.
The announcement did not specify the exact number of employees joining the new venture or disclose any external publishing partners. The studio is currently operating independently, according to the founders.
Industry context and challenges
The formation of Studio Ricochet comes during a period of significant contraction in the video game industry. Multiple major studios and publishers have announced layoffs, project cancellations, and studio closures over the past year. Several other so-called “AAA indie” or “post-AAA” teams have also recently encountered financial or operational problems, leading to shutdowns or restructuring.
The founders of Studio Ricochet indicated they are structuring their new company differently to avoid similar issues. They did not elaborate on the specific structural differences, but emphasized a focus on sustainable development practices and creative control.
Gearbox Quebec itself was acquired by Embracer Group in 2021 as part of a larger purchase of Gearbox Entertainment. Since then, Embracer has undergone a major restructuring program involving studio closures and layoffs.
Implications for the Canadian development sector
Studio Ricochet’s formation adds to a growing number of independent game development studios in Canada, particularly in Quebec. The region has become a significant hub for game development, hosting studios operated by major publishers such as Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, and Warner Bros. Games, as well as numerous independent teams.
The studio’s focus on original intellectual property rather than established franchises represents a notable direction. Many Canadian studios have historically been contracted to work on sequels or support titles for larger publishers.
The founders have not announced any specific projects or target platforms for their first game. They stated that the studio is actively hiring and will share more details about their first title in the future.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
