Eidos-Montréal

Eidos-Montréal is a Canadian video game developer based in Montreal. The studio is owned by Square Enix Europe (formerly Eidos Interactive), a subsidiary of Square Enix.

Eidos-Montréal
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded26 November 2007 (2007-11-26)
FounderStéphane D'Astous
Headquarters
Montreal
,
Canada
Key people
Products
Number of employees
500 (2018)
ParentSquare Enix Europe
SubsidiariesEidos-Sherbrooke
Websiteeidosmontreal.com

History

Eidos-Montréal was founded under Eidos Interactive (later renamed Square Enix Europe) with general manager Stéphane D'Astous; the studio formally opened on 26 November 2007.[1] According to D'Astous, unlike other video game development studios, Eidos-Montréal's development cycle as characterized by smaller teams (totalling to 350) working over a longer period.[2]

The same year as its founding, the studio announced its first project: the third installment of the Deus Ex series, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, which was released in 2011.[3] In 2009, the studio announced its second project, the fourth installment of the Thief series.[4]

On 4 March 2014, Square Enix announced that 27 employees were laid off from Eidos-Montréal.[5] Stéphane D'Astous resigned from Eidos Montréal on 19 July 2013, citing irreconcilable differences with parent company Square Enix.[6]

On January 26, 2017, Eidos-Montréal announced a partnership with Marvel Entertainment to create multiple video games based on the Avengers franchise.[7] As of May 2018, the studio has over 500 employees.[8]

In April 2018, YouTuber George Weidman (Super Bunnyhop) reported on a cancelled video game codenamed "Fantasy Project W". In an interview with PCGamesN, studio head David Anfossi said he couldn't comment, but found the video "very well done" and "very funny to watch". He explained that, within the video game industry, projects are often started but eventually cancelled.[9]

Eidos-Montréal and Square Enix announced a new research and development studio, Eidos-Sherbrooke, in June 2020, which will initially operate remotely by the end of 2020 and will move to a permanent location in southern Quebec in 2021. It will be led by Julien Bouvrais with initially 20 staff with plans to grow to 100. Eidos-Sherbrooke was envisioned to take advantage of the nearby Université de Sherbrooke and Bishop's University and bring in new computing technology from these schools into their games.[10]

Games developed
Year Title Platform(s) Notes
2011 Deus Ex: Human Revolution Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 3, Wii U, Xbox 360
2013 Tomb Raider Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Additional development
2014 Thief Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
2016 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2017 Deus Ex: Breach Microsoft Windows
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – VR Experience
2018 Shadow of the Tomb Raider Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia In collaboration with Crystal Dynamics
2020 Marvel's Avengers Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Stadia Additional work

References
  1. French, Michael (26 November 2007). "Eidos Montreal officially opens". Develop. NewBay Media. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  2. Dobson, Jason (19 February 2007). "Q&A: Stephane D'Astous On Eidos Montreal's Next-Gen Plans". Gamasutra. UBM TechWeb. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  3. Develop (30 November 2007). "Q&A: Stephane D'Astous, Eidos Montreal". Develop. NewBay Media. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  4. Crecente, Brian (11 May 2009). "Thief 4: It's Official". Kotaku. Gizmodo Media Group. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  5. Schreier, Jason (4 March 2014). "Big Layoffs At Thief Developer Eidos Montreal". Kotaku. Gizmodo Media Group. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  6. Ray Corriea, Alexa (23 July 2013). "Eidos Montreal GM resigns, cites 'lack of courage' at Square Enix". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  7. Frank, Allegra (26 January 2017). "Square Enix teams up with Marvel for The Avengers project". Polygon. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  8. Dring, Christopher (11 May 2018). "Square Enix teams up with Marvel for The Avengers project". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  9. Capel, Chris J. "Eidos Montreal head responds to Final Fantasy Project W rumours". PCGamesN. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  10. Dealessandri, Marie (16 June 2020). "Square Enix announces new Eidos-Sherbrooke studio". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
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