Montreal Archives

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Eidos Montreal founder says modern execs are driven more by spreadsheets than passion for games

Stephane D'Astous, founder of Eidos Montreal, discussed the significant changes in the gaming industry over the past 15 years, noting that the major players have shifted, with Tencent becoming a dominant force. He highlighted the unexpected challenges faced by Electronic Arts, which he suggested was once at risk of being acquired. D'Astous expressed concern about the industry's current state, attributing some challenges to the financial influx during the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to questionable project funding. He emphasized the unrealistic expectations placed on executives, citing his own experience of being asked to create a high-quality game within limited resources and time. The current industry atmosphere is characterized by a focus on revenue generation, which he believes hinders risk-taking and passion-driven development.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Xbox is reportedly closing South of Midnight studio Compulsion Games after bragging about its award-winning developers earlier this year

Compulsion Games, known for titles like We Happy Few and South of Midnight, may be facing imminent closure as Microsoft’s gaming division undergoes significant layoffs and restructuring. Reports indicate that Compulsion and Double Fine are in negotiations to potentially spin off to avoid shutdown. Employees have expressed concern over job security, with many searching for new opportunities. Compulsion Games, founded in 2009 and based in Montreal, received critical acclaim for its recent title, South of Midnight, which won several awards. Despite previous praise from Xbox executives for the studio's achievements, the future remains uncertain amid corporate changes.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

1666: Amsterdam is still happening, and I’m downloading the demo as we speak

Patrice Désilets unveiled the debut trailer for his upcoming adventure game, 1666: Amsterdam, during the Summer Game Fest livestream. The game features a protagonist named Noa and is set to launch in early access later this year, with a 30-minute demo available on Steam and the Epic Games Store. The project faced challenges after Ubisoft acquired THQ Montreal, leading to a legal battle for the game's rights. The game will allow players to navigate multiple timelines from 1666 to 1999 and the present day, with a focus on unraveling a larger truth. An exact release date has not been announced.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Before Dishonored, Arkane was tapped to make Thief 4, and my heart weeps for what might have been: ‘We had an amazing pitch for Thief’

The Dishonored series is inspired by the Thief franchise, with Stephen Russell, the voice actor for Thief's protagonist Garrett, voicing Corvo Attano in Dishonored 2. Before creating Dishonored, Arkane Studios was approached by Bethesda to develop Thief 4, as they were seen as the ideal candidate for the project. Co-directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith have discussed this potential project, expressing nostalgia for an Arkane-crafted Thief game. Thief 4 was eventually developed by Eidos Montreal but received a lukewarm reception. A recent spiritual successor, Thick as Thieves, has also been released with mixed reviews.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Rosemont’s New Minecraft Experience Is Built For Kids

A new attraction called "Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue" has opened in Rosemont’s Pearl District, allowing visitors to engage in an immersive adventure based on the popular video game. Guests receive an “Orb of Interaction” to unlock challenges, collect resources, and rescue villagers from zombies while exploring seven themed environments inspired by Minecraft. The experience includes interactive elements such as hurling snowballs at Creepers and crafting potions. Developed by Supply + Demand in partnership with Mojang Studios, the attraction is accessible to both seasoned players and newcomers. It is available for a limited time at EXP Rosemont, with tickets starting at a specified price. Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling video game of all time.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Minecraft Game To Debut Friday in Rosemont

Fans of Minecraft will have the opportunity to experience a tangible event called Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue, created by Supply + Demand in collaboration with Experience MOD and Mojang Studios. The event will take place at EXP Rosemont in the Pearl District, launching on Friday, May 8. A preview was given to approximately 15 media representatives. Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time, with over 300 million copies sold globally.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

The Ubisoft studio that spent 10 years making Black Flag spinoff Skull and Bones comes full circle by remaking Black Flag

Ubisoft has officially announced the remake of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, developed primarily by Ubisoft Singapore. The development involves a collaboration with multiple studios, including Ubisoft Barcelona, Belgrade, Blue Byte, Bordeaux, Bucharest, Chengdu, Da Nang, India, Kyiv, Montpellier, Montreal, Philippines, Quebec, Shanghai, and Sofia. The project follows the challenges faced by another Ubisoft title, Skull and Bones, which has experienced multiple delays since its announcement in 2017.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Ubisoft Games Just $2 for One Week Only

Ubisoft has launched a limited-time offer allowing gamers to purchase select titles at discounted prices, with three deals expiring on April 27 and one on April 23. The deals include Steam codes for three titles and one available through the PlayStation Store, but do not extend to Nintendo or Xbox platforms. The offers exclude the latest Ubisoft releases and feature three classic titles and one from the PS4 and Xbox One generation, with 75% of these games being offered at their lowest prices ever. The featured titles include: - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003) - Metacritic score: 92 - Grow Home (2015) - Metacritic score: 75 - Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (2009) - Metacritic score: 78 - Prince of Persia (2008) - Metacritic score: 80

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Deus Ex: Human Revolution could’ve had a track from the original game’s composer but it was rejected for not being the ‘right fit,’ and in hindsight he says they were right

Deus Ex is celebrated for its impactful soundtrack, which contributes significantly to the game's emotional resonance. Eidos Montreal featured the theme song in their 2010 announcement of the franchise's return, evoking nostalgia among fans. Initially, creative director Jeffrey Birns envisioned composer Brandon for the score of Deus Ex: The Fall, but the task was ultimately assigned to Mike McCann. Brandon expressed disappointment but acknowledged the unpredictability of the industry. McCann's contributions to Human Revolution have been well-received, maintaining the essence of the Deus Ex universe. Brandon respects Szczepkowski, who offered him a role on Human Revolution, and humorously noted their differing career paths. Since his layoff from Frost Giant in 2025, Brandon has submitted around 50 resumes but has only secured one interview, highlighting the challenges faced by creatives in the current job market.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

Minecraft Experience | Asia debut at Mandai Singapore

Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue will debut in Asia at Green Canvas within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve from 24 April to 13 September 2026. This immersive experience has previously launched in Dallas, London, and Toronto and invites participants to save a village from a zombie siege through eight interactive rooms. The experience includes large-scale projections, theatrical sets, motion-tracking gameplay, and storytelling, with participants using a unique "Orb of Interaction." After completing the quest, players can visit the Trading Post for keepsakes and earn an in-game cape. Developed by Supply + Demand in collaboration with Microsoft and Mojang Studios, this event capitalizes on Minecraft's popularity, with over 300 million copies sold worldwide. Merlin Entertainments announced plans for additional location-based entertainment experiences inspired by Minecraft, expected to open between 2026 and 2027.