Google has announced that its first-ever Stadia Games and Entertainment studio has opened in Montreal. The studio will focus on creating exclusive content for Googleâs Stadia game streaming service.
Montreal native Jade Raymond will oversee the studio as part of her larger role as the head of Googleâs Stadia Games and Entertainment. The division is responsible for creating new games for Stadia and supporting other developers bringing their titles to the platform.
Google is gearing up to launch Stadia in Canada, and 13 other countries, on November 19.
Raymond has been a major player in the Canadian game development scene, having served as a producer on Ubisoft Montrealâs first two Assassinâs Creed games and founding Ubisoft Toronto. Raymond later worked at Electronic Artsâ Montreal-based Motive Studio, which developed the campaign for 2017âs Star Wars Battlefront II.
It makes sense that Google would choose Montreal for its first development studio, given that the province offers up to 37.5 percent in tax incentives to game developers. Thatâs why major companies like Ubisoft and EA, as well as fellow publishing giants like Square Enix and Warner Bros., all have studios in the province.
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The gaming industry also plays a major role in the broader Canadian economy, with a 2017 report by the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) indicating that Canadaâs gaming industry contributes $3.7 billion to the countryâs GDP.
So far, little is known about the Stadia Games and Entertainment studio. Google is currently hiring for a variety of positions on its website, including roles in animation, programming, research and concept art.
For now, though, Google is gearing up to launch Stadia in Canada, and 13 other countries, on November 19. However, not everyone will be able to play on launch day, depending on when they pre-ordered Stadia.
This article was originally published on MobileSyrup. Image source via MobileSyrup
With files from Meagan Simpson