A fresh independent game development studio is making waves in the gaming industry by leveraging their collective experience from renowned game companies to forge 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 studio’s creative director, Kaelin Lavallee, departed Bioware in 2015 and collaborated with several other game companies before co-founding 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 venture.
Studio Reset aligns with a trend seen among recent Canadian independent game developers, where professionals with backgrounds in major studios come together to embark on innovative projects. For example, Soft Rains in Toronto, the team behind this summer’s Ambrosia Sky, comprises individuals with experience at Ubisoft and Bethesda. Similarly, Peculiar Path in Toronto, creators of the upcoming game Reply All, includes founders who have contributed to renowned series like Assassin’s Creed and Red Dead Redemption.
Venturing into independent game development poses inherent risks, especially in a competitive field like video games with thousands of new releases annually. However, with larger studios increasingly risk-averse in pursuing blockbuster hits, smaller teams have the opportunity to showcase their creativity.
Studio Reset’s inaugural game, The Eventide, is a supernatural mystery set in a “neon-noir” Canadian backdrop. Drawing inspiration from The X-Files and narrative puzzle games, the game allows players to select investigators with diverse perspectives to unravel unsolved cases, akin to the dynamic between Mulder and Scully in The X-Files.
Paul Fogolin, the president of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, emphasized the symbiotic relationship between AAA studios and indie developers, fostering a more resilient industry. Philippe Morin, co-founder of Red Barrels in Montreal, transitioned to indie development to re-engage directly in game creation, leading to the success of their game Outlast and subsequent growth of the studio.
As industry dynamics evolve, the landscape for game developers has shifted, with layoffs impacting the sector. Amidst these changes, Studio Reset acknowledges the challenges ahead in establishing their presence without the extensive resources of larger companies.
Support from organizations like the Canada Media Fund has been crucial for early-stage funding, enabling developers to kickstart their studios or projects. Notably, some new indie studios have emerged from recent job losses, exemplified by former Ubisoft Halifax employees forming Phantom Rowboat and other independent teams.
Despite the competitive nature of the gaming industry, Studio Reset aims for sustainable growth by catering to a niche audience with their unique offerings. Their definition of success revolves around sustaining game development efforts by garnering enough support from players to continue creating new experiences.