NetEase has announced the opening of Bad Brain Game Studios with offices in Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. The studio is currently looking to recruit staff across various roles that offer hybrid work environments.
NetEase says the move into Canada is a commitment to expanding the game development industry in Canada as it allows Canadian creators’ support to build high-quality “interactive entertainment experiences for a global audience.”
Bad Brain Game Studios is working on an “ambitious new franchise” based on a story-driven, action-adventure game. No other details have been made public, but this untitled game is an open-world, multi-platform built in Unreal Engine 5 and is inspired by cult 1980s movies mixing horror and adventure elements.
The studio is led by Sean Crooks, a developer who has worked on the Watch Dogs trilogy, Far Cry 2, Driver: San Francisco, Child of Light, Just Dance, Army of Two, Splinter Cell: Conviction and Blacklist.
“I’m honoured to be leading this talented team of developers in Canada,” said Sean Crooks, studio head of Bad Brain Game Studios. “We’re all passionate about creating memorable and meaningful experiences. NetEase Games has given us a warm welcome, with an abundance of support and creative freedom to allow us to do what we do best. Our first game is a passion project that gives us the opportunity to truly free our brains.”
Joining Crooks are Guillaume Apesteguy (Creative Director), Danny Bélanger (Game Director), Kyle Francis (Narrative Director), and Anthony Straub (Production Director).
“We’re thrilled to welcome Bad Brain Game Studios into our family and enriching our presence in Canada,” said Simon Zhu, president of global investments and partnerships for NetEase Games. “With this new studio, NetEase Games continues its commitment to nurturing top-tier talent in Canada and creating games that players love. Canada has a thriving gaming industry, and we’re excited to continue to be a part of it. We believe that our talented teams in Toronto, Montreal and beyond will create some of the most innovative and exciting games the industry has seen.”
