This investment will have ”profound and long-lasting” effects on the studio, says Denis Dyack. Silicon Knights will become a ”self-sustainable, self-publishing entity”.
The developer received about CAD $3 million in funding from the Canadian government to help them further the business. ”This is going to benefit Silicon Knights in ways that are profound and long-lasting,” said Silicon Knights president, Denis Dyack.
”With Ontario government support, we are better-positioned to further develop the eighth art of video games. This will enhance our competitive edge within the highly-competitive video game market, help us become a self-sustainable, self-publishing entity, and allow us to enter lucrative global markets.”
Currently the studio is developing a new game engine with ”new advanced camera systems, improved audio and video and better computing technology.” Silicon is also developing X-Men Destiny on behalf of Activision.
”In our industry, you have to be very careful never to announce anything until the right time. We can only say it’s a next generation title and a high production value game. That’s all we can say,” added Dyack. It was Canada’s Ontario government that issued the grant.
”Our province continues to be an innovative leader in the high-growth, global video game market,” said Sandra Pupatello, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade.
”Ontario’s support to Silicon Knights will expand production of its unique, next-generation 3D Game Engine, target new markets, and create highly-skilled jobs for St. Catharines and the surrounding community.” 97 people are employed by Silicon Knights.
Last year the studio got $4 million in funding and added 65 people to their payroll. Are you looking forward to Activision and Silicon Knights’ X-Men Destiny, videogamer?
