Frima Studio

Frima Studio
Company typePrivate
IndustryVideo games, Animation
Founded2003
Headquarters395, rue Victor Revillon
Quebec City, Quebec
G1K 3M8
Key people
Philippe Bégin, Christian Daigle, Steve Couture
ProductsFATED, Chariot, Nun Attack, Nun Attack: Run & Gun, MaXi, Talent Not Included, A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks!
Number of employees
200
Websitefrimastudio.com/en/

Frima Studio is a Canadian video game development company founded in 2003 and based in Quebec.

In 2010, Frima was noted as one of the fastest-growing companies in Canada by Profit.[1]


History

The company was founded in Quebec City in 2003 by Steve Couture, Philippe Bégin, and Christian Daigle amid the dot-com 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] Frima has notably developed flash games for many famous intellectual properties, including Harry Potter and Looney Tunes.

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 had an estimated 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. This resulted in 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 shut down. 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. Frima stated the profit would allow them to further focus on internal animation.[9] During Frima's ownership, the two collaborated on several 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 head office moved to the former television studios 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 was 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

Original productions

Console games

Year Title Platform Description
2016 Fated PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive First Person narrative adventure VR game revolving around the themes of courage and sacrifice.
Talent Not Included Xbox One, Windows, MacOS A platform game revolving around 3 actors putting on a play.
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, PlayStation 3, Web, PlayStation Vita A classic and simple space shooter game… for 2 bucks.
Young Thor PlayStation Portable 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 A Mobile 3D Hack and Slash game in the style of Diablo.
2007 GalaXseeds Web Free sci-fi based, web MMO.

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.
Jules & Hurtubize Web Dystopian 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 RTS Mobile Game
Splash Pop
2014 Nun Attack Origins: Yuki's Silent Quest Platformer mobile game
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, Android, Ouya A classic and simple space shooter game for free!
2009 GalaXseeds Tubershooter iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad 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.

Development services

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. Channel 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
2021 Disciples: Liberation Kalypso Media Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
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; the 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.
Pet Pad LeapFrog Leapster Explorer Educational game where the player practices handwriting to care for their in-game pet. The game was included with the Leapster Explorer.
2009 Desktop Tower Defense THQ Nintendo DS Strategy game where the 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, the 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

Frima has been working with the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.[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.

References

  1. ^ "PROFIT 100 ranking reveals 20 of Canada's fastest-growing companies hail from". Profit (Press release). Toronto: Rogers Sports & Media. CNW Group. June 2, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  2. ^ "Frima Studio: des jeux créés à Québec qui dépassent les frontières". Le Soleil (in Canadian French). 2009-09-06. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
  3. ^ "History". humagade.com. Frima Studio. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Leduc, Gilbert (June 19, 2009). "Frima choisit Matane". Le Soleil (in French). Groupe Capitales Médias. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  6. ^ "Geeky Pleasures". juliasherred.com.
  7. ^ "Gaspésie : Frima ferme définitivement son studio de Matane". Ici.Radio-Canada.ca (in French). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 17, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  8. ^ "Frima Studio achète Volta". Ici.Radio-Canada.ca (in French). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. August 11, 2011.
  9. ^ "Frima Studio vend sa division Volta". Ici.Radio-Canada.ca (in French). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. July 29, 2016.
  10. ^ Couture, Pierre (June 25, 2014). "Des nouveaux studios pour Frima". Le Journal de Montréal (in French). Quebecor. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "7,5 millions $ pour Frima". TVA Nouvelles (in French). Quebecor. April 8, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  12. ^ Décarie, Jean-Philippe (November 17, 2015). "Frima fait le saut de la capitale à la Métropole". La Presse (in French). Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  13. ^ Bernard, Sophie (February 25, 2017). "Coupures de 60 postes chez Frima : Christian Daigle fait le point". Lien Multimedia (in French). Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  14. ^ Leduc, Gilbert (February 22, 2017). "Frima coupe une soixantaine de postes". Le Soleil (in French). Groupe Capitales Médias. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  15. ^ "Steve Couture quitte Frima". Le Soleil (in French). Groupe Capitales Médias. April 11, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  16. ^ Pinto, Jordan (August 17, 2017). "Martin Carrier named president, CEO at Frima". Playback. Brunico Communications. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  17. ^ "Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge Review". Archived from the original on 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
  18. ^ "Holy Guns! Nun Attack Coming to PS Vita Tomorrow". 18 March 2013.
  19. ^ "Nun Attack Review".
  20. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2011-03-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2011-03-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)