Supported by Montréal International and Investissement Québec - Ankama, a digital creation specialist, opens its first North American studio in Greater Montréal

MONTREAL, Sept. 16, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Ankama Group, a European leader in multimedia authoring and production, announced today the opening of its first North American studio in Greater Montréal and plans to create about 40 jobs over the next three years. On hand for the announcement was Ste-Rose MNA Suzanne Proulx, who was attending on behalf of her colleague Élaine Zakaïb, Minister for Industrial Policy and the Banque de développement économique du Québec.

"The arrival of a company like Ankama confirms the drawing power of Québec's digital entertainment industry. It's one of the largest creation and production hubs worldwide and has some of the most qualified and experienced workers," stated Élaine Zakaïb. "Québec remains one of the most competitive places on the planet for developing games and digital entertainment."

"Here we have found the talent, creativity and innovation that define our group. Thanks to the pool of highly specialized workers in the Greater Montréal area, our new studio will be able to develop an entirely new generation of massively multiplayer online games (MMOG) in addition to adapting new graphics engines in the Ankama tradition, blurring the lines between video games and interactive cartoons," said Anthony Roux, the Group's Co-founder and Creative Director.

Established in Roubaix, France, and internationally renowned for its online games DOFUS and WAKFU, the company relies on a transmedia strategy, developing narrative universes that unfold and complement one another over various media, such as video games, animated series, comics and mobile media. "Our users can switch between media, become immersed in an imaginary world, and live and share a rich interactive experience," Roux added.

Ankama Group enjoyed the support of Montréal International (MI) and Investissement Québec (IQ) in opening its new studio. "We are pleased to welcome Ankama to Greater Montréal in a high-value-added sector that holds great promise for the region's economy. This is excellent news, which clearly shows that Greater Montréal is a trendy area, well-known for its creative workforce, innovation and advanced technological knowledge," said Élie Farah, Vice President, Investment Greater Montréal, Montréal International.

The metropolitan region also boasts other world leaders in the video game industry, such as Ubisoft (France), Eidos-Square Enix (Japan), Electronic Arts (United States) and Warner Bros. (United States).

"Ankama's arrival is another example of how Investissement Québec and its partners have contributed to the remarkable growth of the multimedia industry. That expansion has led to the creation of numerous specialized training opportunities for young students all across Greater Montréal," stated Suzanne Proulx.

In 2012, the French Ministry of Culture presented Ankama Group with the Award for Best Video Game Creator, which recognizes the achievements of the most innovative French companies in the video game industry. DOFUS, the first game developed by Ankama, is one of the most popular massively multiplayer online games in the world, with over 2.5 million active players per month across 150 countries.

About Ankama Group (www.ankama-group.com)
Established in France in 2001, Ankama is an independent digital creation group focused on the entertainment industry. With close to 450 employees, Ankama builds on a transmedia strategy, creating rich narrative universes that unfold and complement one another over various media: online games, publishing, animation, print media, music, related merchandise, toys, and video games for latest generation consoles and mobile phones. Ankama also supports artists who create their own universes, regardless of whether they come to life as screenplays, shows, music albums or comics.

About Montréal International (www.montrealinternational.com)
Created in 1996, Montréal International (MI) is the result of a private-public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign direct investments, international organizations and international strategic workers as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International—a non-profit organization—is funded by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community) and the City of Montréal.

About Investissement Québec (www.investquebec.com)
Investissement Québec is a public corporation whose mission is to contribute to Québec's economic development in accordance with the economic policy of the Government of Québec by fostering investment growth and stimulating employment in all Québec regions. To that end, the Corporation supports the creation and development of businesses of all sizes through customized financial solutions and investments that complement partner offers. Pursuant to its government mandate, the Corporation also carries out foreign investment prospecting and strategic financing operations.

SOURCE: Montréal International

Source: 

Danielle Rioux
Press Officer
Office of the Minister for Industrial Policy and the Banque de développement économique du Québec 
Tel.: [phone]
Cell.: 514 258-9078

Information: 

Céline Clément
Communications Advisor
Montréal International
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: 514-892-4030
[email protected]

Chantal Corbeil
Spokesperson
Investissement Québec
Tel.: [phone]