Eidos Sets Up Shop In Montreal With Help of Quebec Government

Publisher/Developer Eidos Interactive, Ltd. (a division of SCi Entertainment Group PLC), most famous for its Tomb Raider and Hitman franchises, has announced plans to take advantage of Quebec’s tax and other incentives and open up a new development studio in Montreal. Details include:

• studio to be headed by former Babel/Ubisoft exec Stéphane D’Astous
• 110 jobs (including 70 developer positions) will be created in 2007 with 350 jobs in total to be created over 3 years
• Montreal to pay 40% of salaries and a three year tax holiday
• new studio to develop next-gen titles
• studio to consist of three next-gen development teams
• first title will be based on existing IP

Dale’s Comment: With the previous employment pilfering spats between EA and Ubisoft Montreal, one can only anticipate this sudden increase in demand for developer talent will create even more pressures between these big three Montreal developers.

Related: Gamasutra Interview with Stéphane D’Astous on new studio (Feb 19, 2007)

Sources: Gamasutra I | Gamasutra II (background info) | GameSpot | Spong | CBC.ca

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