A new independent game development studio, Studio Reset, has emerged in Edmonton, formed by a trio of industry veterans with backgrounds in renowned companies like Bioware. Creative director Kaelin Lavallee, who departed Bioware in 2015, joined forces with Kris Schoneberg and Francis Lacuna to establish Studio Reset earlier this year. Lavallee expressed his motivation for exploring the creative and production aspects of game development through this endeavor.
Studio Reset is part of a trend among Canadian indie game creators who have transitioned from larger studios, such as Soft Rains in Toronto, which produced the game Ambrosia Sky with talent from Ubisoft and Bethesda. Another example is Peculiar Path in Toronto, behind the upcoming game Reply All, featuring developers with experience from franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Red Dead Redemption.
The studio’s debut project, The Eventide, will be a supernatural mystery game set in a “neon-noir” Canadian environment, inspired by The X-Files and narrative-driven puzzle games like Case of the Golden Idol. Players will select investigators from a diverse pool of characters to solve a series of unsolved cases, each offering unique perspectives on the mysteries to unravel the truth.
According to Paul Fogolin, president of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, the synergy between AAA and indie studios fosters a robust and resilient gaming industry by combining talent, investment, and innovation. Philippe Morin, co-founder of Red Barrels in Montreal, emphasized the allure of indie development in reclaiming hands-on involvement in game creation, a sentiment echoed by Lavallee.
In today’s gaming landscape, where job security is precarious, indie studios face challenges in competing against the vast array of new releases. Lavallee acknowledged the uncertainties but highlighted the importance of support from entities like the Canada Media Fund in providing initial funding for studios like Studio Reset.
Some indie ventures, like Phantom Rowboat in Halifax, have emerged from recent industry layoffs, with a focus on long-term sustainability. Despite the immense competition in the global gaming market, Studio Reset aims for modest success by catering to a niche audience with unique gaming experiences.