Warner to open Montreal studio
Video studio will create hundreds of jobs
Last Updated: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 | 8:18 AM ET
The Canadian Press
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment says it will open a development studio in Montreal that will employ more than 300 people by the end of 2015.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest was on hand to announce the new Warner Bros. studio in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)
Besides development of high-end video games, the studio will produce digital and cinema animation and translate its products for other markets, the company based in Burbank, Calif., said Monday.
Martin Tremblay, Warner Interactive's president, said Quebec is a perfect fit for the company with its skilful and creative workforce as well as its universities.
"Quebec's tax credits and other incentives made Montreal the right location for our studio at this time," said Tremblay, the former president of the Ubisoft game studio.
"Montreal, with its wealth of talent and highly affordable operating costs, is a wonderful place to continue to expand our growth in gaming."
Games based on characters from the Warner-owned DC Comics stable such as Superman and Batman will be among the products to be developed in Montreal, Tremblay noted.
Warner already has a number of studios around the world.
Tremblay said Martin Carrier, a local industry veteran, will oversee the establishment of the studio during the coming weeks.
Premier Jean Charest, who was present at the announcement, said the government is proud Warners has chosen Quebec for the new studio.
"We have done a lot of work to position Quebec as an essential place to invest that is competitive, and possesses an exceptional and highly qualified workforce," Charest said. "Warner Bros. has acknowledged this and we are very excited to welcome them."
Montreal is considered one of the world's hot spots for video game development.
Quebec is kicking in a $7.5-million non-refundable contribution from the province's investment arm to help the studio get off the ground.
Share Tools
Latest Montreal News Headlines
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- Trees were uprooted, roofs damaged and windows shattered as severe thunderstorms and a tornado rattled through southwestern Quebec Friday night. more »
- Champlain Bridge road work blitz this weekend
- Transport Quebec is advising drivers to avoid the Champlain Bridge corridor this weekend as a blitz of major road work closes down some lanes. more »
- Quebec students ready for tuition hike, says one leader
- The president of Quebec's College Student Federation (FECQ), Leo Bureau-Blouin, tells CBC Radio's The House that students "are ready for a compromise on the amount of a tuition hike," as the Quebec government and the province's student associations prepare to resume talks. more »
- IOC's Jacques Rogge encourages Olympic bids for Quebec City, Toronto
- International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge believes there is an opportunity for either Quebec City or Toronto to host a future Olympic Games. more »
Top News Headlines
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned. more »
- 32 Syrian children die in artillery attack, says UN
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed the attack. more »
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico, organization says
- Two Winnipeg children reported missing and possibly in Mexico have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people. more »
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- 32nd night protest in Montreal
- Quebec students challenge Bill 78 in court
- Quebec students ready for tuition hike, says one leader
- Mysterious photos may shed light on 2004 Quebec homicide
- Son testifies on behalf of father accused of killing wife
- Quebec faces mounting pressure amid student crisis
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike
- Bookies set odds on Quebec student protest

