2009 wasn't the best year to be in the business of making games, to the point where some of us weren't expecting good news like a major publisher hiring new people -- but it's happening. And it's not a small hiring push, either, aiming in the 100-150 range. That's the latest news from Funcom, whose recently opened Canadian studio has appointed a new CEO for the division.
Miguel Caron is going to be in charge of building up the staff of Funcom Games Canada, as well as overseeing the studio during the development of The Secret World -- according to Ragnar Tornquist, the Montreal-based expansion will play a key role in the game's development. Even if you aren't looking forward to The Secret World, however, it's excellent to have news of a company not facing security trouble, layoffs, or shutdowns.
Although the timeframe for the expected hirings is a year and a half, that's still a lot of work being generated by Funcom, which is a boon to both their existing games and their newfound plans of focusing on the casual gaming market. Let's hope this kicks off a trend of more positive news for the industry this year. We certainly need it.
Reader Comments (9)
Posted: Jan 8th 2010 10:20AM Cendres said
Yay Canadian studio!! Wish them well and hope things go a lot better for Funcom this year.
Posted: Jan 8th 2010 10:33AM (Unverified) said
I want TSW to be good.
In Ragnar we trust.
In Ragnar we trust.
Posted: Jan 8th 2010 11:01AM (Unverified) said
Me too... I just remember what Funcom did with AoC and have really no trust that it will be worth anything the first year+. I hope I am wrong and FC learned their lesson.. but I know better. I have to admit the genre of Dark Conspiracy or Shadow World is truly intriguing and a game would be something new in a fantasy dominated MMO industry. Still dislike FC for AoC but maybe they could get back the hundreds of thousands they lost with SW. Fingers Crossed for a Complete product/finished MMO.
Reply
Posted: Jan 8th 2010 11:31AM (Unverified) said
Good news for Montreal!
More Montreal video game industry news and jobs.
http://www.gamesmontreal.com/
Montreal Game Company Listing and Map:
http://www.gamesmontreal.com/blog/montreal-game-companies/
More Montreal video game industry news and jobs.
http://www.gamesmontreal.com/
Montreal Game Company Listing and Map:
http://www.gamesmontreal.com/blog/montreal-game-companies/
Posted: Jan 8th 2010 11:45AM Its Utakata stupid said
So when are they going to have a Canadian server for AoC, eh?
Posted: Jan 8th 2010 12:37PM (Unverified) said
Give me my anarchy online graphics update already you hosers!
Posted: Jan 8th 2010 3:06PM JediPagan said
I can't wait for TSW. Sadly, this news sounds like the game is still at least a year away. /sob
Posted: Jan 9th 2010 1:07PM SkuzBukit said
This is a direct result of Canada's incentives package for game developer's, aiming to capitalise on the revue potential that this industry offers they set up a lucrative benefits & tax breaks package that is very tempting to developers, so Funcom basically cut staff in Europe & re-employ overseas.
If other governments take the same tact then there will be further migratory development houses & it will be interesting how fast or slow countries cotton on to this to try to retain their own native game-creation talent.
With that said, I hope this works out well.
If other governments take the same tact then there will be further migratory development houses & it will be interesting how fast or slow countries cotton on to this to try to retain their own native game-creation talent.
With that said, I hope this works out well.










