A newly established independent game development studio is making waves in the gaming industry by leveraging their expertise gained from working in renowned game companies to pave new paths. Studio Reset, located in Edmonton, comprises a trio of individuals who previously collaborated at various firms, including Bioware, known for creating popular titles like Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
The creative director, Kaelin Lavallee, departed from Bioware in 2015 and after working with several other game companies, co-founded Studio Reset with Kris Schoneberg and Francis Lacuna earlier this year. Lavallee expressed his interest in exploring the creative and production aspects of game development through this new endeavor.
Studio Reset joins a trend seen among other independent Canadian game developers who have a background in larger studios. Examples include Soft Rains in Toronto, the team behind Ambrosia Sky, composed of veterans from Ubisoft and Bethesda, and Peculiar Path in Toronto, creating the upcoming game Reply All, with team members who contributed to series like Assassin’s Creed and Red Dead Redemption.
Venturing out as a small team in the gaming industry poses risks, especially with the vast competition from numerous new releases each year. However, as major studios become more cautious in pursuing the next big hit, independent developers have an opportunity to showcase their creativity.
Studio Reset’s debut game, The Eventide, is a supernatural mystery game set in a “neon-noir” Canadian environment. The game, inspired by The X-Files and narrative-driven puzzle games, involves players selecting investigators from a range of characters to solve unsolved cases. Each investigator offers a unique perspective on the mysteries, challenging players to uncover the truth.
According to Paul Fogolin, president of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, the Canadian gaming industry comprises a substantial number of small studios, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between AAA and indie developers, which contributes to a more robust and diverse industry.
Transitioning from larger studios to the indie scene has proven successful for some developers, such as Philippe Morin, co-founder of Red Barrels, known for the Outlast series. Despite the risks, many developers are driven by the desire to have a more hands-on approach to game development and explore new creative ideas.
With the gaming landscape evolving and job security becoming less certain, indie studios face challenges in marketing and funding their projects. However, with the support of organizations like the Canada Media Fund, many developers are able to kickstart their studios and bring their games to fruition.
Some new indie studios, like Phantom Rowboat, have emerged from recent layoffs in larger companies, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of developers in the industry. As the gaming market continues to expand, success for indie studios like Studio Reset lies in cultivating a dedicated audience and sustaining their creative endeavors for the long term.