Frima Studio
Frima Studio is a Canadian digital entertainment studio. Based in Quebec City, Quebec and founded in 2003, the company develops video games across a variety of platforms and produces animation for television and film.
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games, Animation |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | 395, rue Victor Revillon Quebec City, Quebec G1K 3M8 |
Key people | Philippe Bégin, Christian Daigle, Steve Couture |
| Products | FATED, Chariot, Nun Attack,Nun Attack: Run & Gun, MaXi, Talent Not Included, A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks! |
Number of employees | 200 |
| Website | www.frimastudio.com |
In 2010, Frima was noted as one of the fastest-growing companies in Canada by Profit.[1]
History
Founded in Quebec City in 2003 by Steve Couture, Philippe Bégin and Christian Daigle in the midst of the dotcom crash. Originally, the name Frima comes from the French word "frimas," which is the layer of frost that forms around windows during winter. This is due to the fact that the studio made its debut in the poorly-insulated apartment that the three founders shared.[2] It is from these premises that the production of Flash games for Hollywood brands such as Harry Potter and Looney Tunes allowed the business to develop.
In 2008, Frima acquired Humagade, a mobile game developer.[3] Shortly after, the studio was merged with the main Frima office.[4]
In 2009, with the opening of a second studio in Matane, Frima counted some 265 full-time employees.[5] Later that year, they became the beneficiary of a $2 million joint investment between the company and the Government of Quebec to fund employee training, the creation of 147 new jobs over the next three years, and the maintenance of 201 pre‐existing production‐oriented jobs.[6]
In June 2011, the Matane studio was shutdown. Frima cited the difficulty of attracting talent to the area as the primary reason.[7] In August of that year, Frima acquired Volta, an animation, concept art and design studio.[8] The division was sold to Keywords Studios for $5.25 million in 2016, which Frima said would help them focus on the animation industry internally.[9] During Frima's ownership, the two collaborated on a number of projects, such as the 2015 Bionicle relaunch, where Volta handled the animated television series while Frima developed the mobile video game.
In 2014, the company's Quebec City office moved to the former headquarters of TQS owned-and-operated station CFAP-TV in the Saint-Roch neighborhood. By then, Frima had grown to over 350 employees.[10] In April 2015, the company received a $7.5 million investment from Média-Participations and Fonds de solidarité FTQ.[11] The following November, Frima opened an additional studio in Montreal.[12]
On February 22, 2017, the Montreal studio was shuttered as Frima laid off 60 employees.[13] The company's total headcount had been reduced to 250.[14] The following April, Couture stepped down as CEO.[15] Daigle replaced him until Martin Carrier was appointed as CEO and president in August 2017.[16]
Softography
Console games
| Year | Title | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Fated | PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive | |
| Talent Not Included | Xbox One, Windows, MacOS | ||
| 2014 | Chariot | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, Nintendo Switch | A co-op platform game about a princess, her fiance, and a deceased king. |
| 2013 | Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge[17] | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows | A real-time strategy game about zombie warfare. |
| Nun Attack[18] | PlayStation Vita | A tactical action game about nuns blasting evil with guns. | |
| 2012 | Lights, Camera, Party! | PlayStation 3 | A mini-game compilation utilizing PlayStation Move controls. |
| 2010 | A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks! | PlayStation Portable | A classic and simple space shooter game… for 2 bucks. |
| Young Thor | Action-adventure game starring Thor when he was a lad. | ||
| Widgets Odyssey | Sci-fi side-scrolling platform game. | ||
| 2009 | Zombie Tycoon | Real-time strategy zombie game. | |
Virtual worlds and CMMOs
| Year | Title | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Lightbringers: Saviors of Raia | Web, iOS, Android | |
| 2007 | GalaXseeds | Web | Free sci-fi online virtual world. |
Social and web games
| Year | Title | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Space Shooter Blitz | Web | |
| 2010 | Pocket God | Web | Facebook app based on the popular Bolt franchise for mobile, in association with Bolt. |
| Rock Paper Sumo | Web | Facebook application based on the Rock-Paper-Scissors system. | |
| 2009 | Big Brain Wolf | PC, Mac | Puzzle/point-and-click adventure game, in association with the NeuroActive Program. |
| 2007 | Widgets Odyssey | Web | Sci-fi side-scrolling platform game. |
| Ciao Bella | PC | Romantic simulation game. | |
| Peter Flat's Inflatable Adventures | PC | Comical 3D platform game. | |
Smartphone games
| Year | Title | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Trainers of Kala | iOS, Android | |
| Splash Pop | |||
| 2014 | Nun Attack Origins: Yuki's Silent Quest | ||
| 2013 | Nun Attack: Run & Gun | ||
| 2012 | Nun Attack[19] | A tactical action game about nuns blasting evil with guns. | |
| Space Shooter Blitz | |||
| Cosmo Camp | Android, Kindle Fire, iOS | Educational app. | |
| 2011 | A Space Shooter for Free! | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad | A classic and simple space shooter game for free! |
| 2009 | GalaXseeds Tubershooter | Casual shooter game linked with the GalaXseeds MMOG. |
Animation
| Year | Title | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | L'Agent Jean / Super Agent Jon Le Bon! | Television series | A 15 x 3-minute animated series (with a seven minute Christmas special) based on a line of books by the same name. Aired as interstitial shorts on TFO, Ici Radio-Canada Télé and CBC Television, as well as streamed online. |
| 2016 | MaXi | Television series | A 26 x 11-minute animated series, released on television by TFO and as a mobile application. |
Virtual worlds and CMMOs
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Wanagogo | Studio 100 | Windows, iOS, Android | Subscription-based virtual world for players between 4 and 6 years old. |
| 2012 | Kazaana | PixyKids | Windows, iOS, Android | |
| 2011 | Skylanders Universe | Activision | Web | Virtual world where children play different mini-games set in the Skylanders franchise. |
| Super Zapp! | Les Éditions CEC | Web | Educational virtual world where children can learn through different mini-games. | |
| 2010 | LeapWorld | LeapFrog | Web | Virtual world for players between 4 and 6 years old. |
| 2009 | Littlest Pet Shop Online | Electronic Arts/Hasbro Interactive | Web | The player manages a virtual pet shop with friends. |
| 2008 | Tracksters | 10Vox Entertainment | Web | Multiplayer online racing game |
| Magi-Nation: Battle for the Moonlands | Cookie Jar Group (Tribal Nova) | Web | Virtual world set in a medieval fantasy environment inspired by the animated series of the same name. | |
| 2007 | Build-A-Bearville.com | Build-A-Bear Workshop | Web | Virtual world where the player creates a customized character and plays mini-games. |
| NÉO Shifters | Mega Brands | Web | Futuristic virtual world featuring multiplayer robot battles. | |
Social and web games
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Dream Town | Bandai | Web | The TamaTown website for the Tamagotchi Friends |
| 2013 | Half the Sky Movement: The Game | Games for Change | Web | |
| 2012 | Yu-Gi-Oh! BAM | Konami | Web, iOS, Android | |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Ninja Turtle Tactics 3D | Nickelodeon | Web | Based on the 2012 TV series. | |
| 2010 | DriverVille | Doner | Web | Facebook app developed in association with Mazda featuring adventures and customizable items. |
| 2009 | Sara's Super Spa Deluxe | Shockwave | Web | Strategic spa management game |
| 2008 | Nick Pals | Nickelodeon | Web | Simulation game featuring different Nickelodeon pets. |
| Go Diego Go! | Nick Jr. | Web | Based on the TV show, an educational adventure game. | |
| 2007 | Avatar Bobble Battles | Nickelodeon/Nick Arcade | PC, Web | Casual real-time strategy game based on the TV franchise. |
Console games
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | Oddworld: Soulstorm | Oddworld Inhabitants | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Re-imagining of the 1998 title Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus |
| 2018 | Illusion: A Tale of the Mind | Groupe PVP | ||
| 2017 | Carcassonne - Tiles & Tactics | Asmodee | Windows, Nintendo Switch | |
| Jeopardy! | Ubisoft | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Adaptation of the television game show. | |
| 2016 | Battleship | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Adaptation of the board game. | |
| Colt Express | Asmodee | Windows | ||
| 2015 | Boggle | Ubisoft | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Resident Evil: Revelations 2 | Capcom | PlayStation Vita | One of the Resident Evil installments features the horrific adventure of Claire Redfield and Barry Burton along with each's unique partner; main developer on Vita portion. | |
| Carmen Sandiego Returns | The Learning Company | Windows | ||
| 2010 | Vector Tower Defense | Fun Tank | PSP | Strategy game where the player defends Earth from alien invaders. |
| 2009 | Desktop Tower Defense | THQ | Nintendo DS | Strategy game where player has to prevent invaders from crossing the screen. |
| 2009 | Brainpipe | Hands-On Mobile | Smartphone, PSN | Simple arcade game focusing on eye-hand coordination. |
| 2008 | Calvin Tucker's Redneck Jamboree | Zoo | Wii | Party game featuring mini-games. |
| 2008 | Lola and Virginia | V.2 Play | Nintendo DS | Mini-games themed around the popular TV show Lola and Virginia. |
| 2007 | Puppy Luv Spa and Resort | Activision/Game Mill | Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance | Simulation game in which the player takes care of different pets. |
Smartphone games
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Carcassonne - Tiles & Tactics | Asmodee | Android, iOS | Adaptation of the board game. |
| 2016 | Colt Express | |||
| Where’s Monsieur Pug? | National Film Board of Canada | Augmented reality game inspired by the 2014 short Monsieur Pug. | ||
| Bionicle: Mask of Control | Lego Group | Free-to-play adventure game based on the Bionicle media franchise. | ||
| Con Man: The Game | Monkey Strength Productions | Business simulation game based on the Con Man web-series. | ||
| View-Master Masters of the Universe VR | Mattel | Virtual reality experience developed for the View-Master VR Google Cardboard headset. | ||
| 2015 | View-Master Space | |||
| Dinotrux | DreamWorks Animation | Interactive app inspired by the TV show. | ||
| DreamWorks Color | ||||
| Nexo Knights: Merlok 2.0 | Lego Group | |||
| Code Max | Pixcom Productions | |||
| Dennis & Gnasher: Blast In Beanotown | DC Thomson | iOS | 3D action game based on Dennis & Gnasher | |
| 2014 | Monster High: Monster Maker | Mattel | Android, iOS, Kindle Fire | Custom toy designer. |
| 2010 | Greatest Tank Battles | Breakthrough Entertainment | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad | Real-time strategy game where the player controls a tank inspired by the TV show. |
| 2010 | Build-A-Bear Workshop App | Build-A-Bear Workshop | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad | Mobile app with features linking to Build-A-Bear Workshop and their virtual world. |
| 2009 | Monkey Kick-Off | Miniclip | iPhone, iPod Touch | Kick the coconut as far as possible in this casual game. |
| 2009 | iBrain Fit | Brain Center International | iPhone, iPod Touch | Scientifically-designed brain training through mini-games. |
| 2009 | Brainpipe | Hands-On Mobile | iPhone, iPod Touch | Simple arcade game focusing on eye-hand coordination. |
| 2009 | Parade | Carnaval de Québec | iPhone, iPod Touch | Strategy game where the player has to recreate the Carnaval de Québec's parade. |
| 2008 | Beijing 2008 | Beijing 2008 | iPhone, iPod Touch | Mini-games based on the different Olympic events. |
| 2008 | America's Got Talent | Player X | iPhone, iPod Touch | Game in which the player has to match moves to become America's next rising star. |
| 2006 | Deal or No Deal: Banker's Revenge | Mobliss | Mobile | Casual game in which the player takes on the role of the Banker. |
| 2005 | Family Guy: Stewie 2.0 | Airborne Entertainment | Mobile | Real-time strategy game based on the popular TV franchise. |
Animation and special FX
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Elliot the Littlest Reindeer | Awesometown Entertainment | Feature Film | CG-animation. |
| Nelly & Simon Mission Yeti | Productions 10e ave | |||
| 2013 | Dragons 3D | Thalie Productions | IMAX short film | Special effects and CG-animation. |
| 2010 | Qualinet Space Odyssey | Qualinet | TV | Special effects realized for a TV ad for Qualinet, leader in cleaning and disaster response. |
| 2008 | Cranium Kabookii | Ubisoft | Wii | Animated intro for Ubisoft's Cranium Kabookii. |
| 2007 | W | Productions 10e ave | TV | Series of animated spots that aired for three seasons on the Télétoon network. |
Technologies
Molehill: Frima has been working with the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, which delivers the ability to create, texture and simultaneously animate hundreds of avatars without losing performance, as well as generate advanced special effects.[20] Frima was selected by Adobe as a Molehill pre-release partner.[21]
The SnowStorm Gaming Grid allows the creation of customizable social games and MMOGs.
The NorthStar Dashboard is a set of data tracking tools used to monitor key metrics linked to an online application.
The IceField 3D Engine allows the creation of in-browser 3D experiences using hardware acceleration.
The IceWave 2D Platform is used to easily and seamlessly deploy a project on multiple platforms.
Notes and references
- "PROFIT 100 ranking reveals 20 of Canada's fastest-growing companies hail from". Profit (Press release). Toronto: Rogers Media. CNW Group. June 2, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Frima Studio: des jeux créés à Québec qui dépassent les frontières". Le Soleil (in French). 2009-09-06. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
- "History". humagade.com. Frima Studio. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- Therrien, Yves (December 24, 2009). "Jeu vidéo: explosion du nombre d'emplois à Québec". Le Soleil (in French). Groupe Capitales Médias. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- Leduc, Gilbert (June 19, 2009). "Frima choisit Matane". Le Soleil (in French). Groupe Capitales Médias. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Geeky Pleasures". juliasherred.com.
- "Gaspésie : Frima ferme définitivement son studio de Matane". Ici.Radio-Canada.ca (in French). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 17, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Frima Studio achète Volta". Ici.Radio-Canada.ca (in French). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. August 11, 2011.
- "Frima Studio vend sa division Volta". Ici.Radio-Canada.ca (in French). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. July 29, 2016.
- Couture, Pierre (June 25, 2014). "Des nouveaux studios pour Frima". Le Journal de Montréal (in French). Quebecor. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- "7,5 millions $ pour Frima". TVA Nouvelles (in French). Quebecor. April 8, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- Décarie, Jean-Philippe (November 17, 2015). "Frima fait le saut de la capitale à la Métropole". La Presse (in French). Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- Bernard, Sophie (February 25, 2017). "Coupures de 60 postes chez Frima : Christian Daigle fait le point". Lien Multimedia (in French). Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- Leduc, Gilbert (February 22, 2017). "Frima coupe une soixantaine de postes". Le Soleil (in French). Groupe Capitales Médias. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- "Steve Couture quitte Frima". Le Soleil (in French). Groupe Capitales Médias. April 11, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- Pinto, Jordan (August 17, 2017). "Martin Carrier named president, CEO at Frima". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- "Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge Review".
- "Holy Guns! Nun Attack Coming to PS Vita Tomorrow".
- "Nun Attack Review".
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2011-03-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2011-03-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)