Frima Studio

Last updated
Frima Studio
Type Private
Industry Video 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
Website www.frimastudio.com/en/

Frima Studio is a Canadian digital entertainment studio. Headquartered in Quebec City, Quebec and founded in 2003, the company develops video games across a variety of platforms. Frima also produces video animation for television and film.

Contents

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

YearTitlePlatformDescription
2016Fated 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.
2013Zombie 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.
2012Lights, 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 OdysseySci-fi side-scrolling platform game.
2009 Zombie Tycoon Real-time strategy zombie game.

Virtual worlds and CMMOs

YearTitlePlatformDescription
2014Lightbringers: Saviors of RaiaWeb, iOS, Android A Mobile 3D Hack and Slash game in the style of Diablo.
2007GalaXseedsWebFree sci-fi based, web MMO.

Social and web games

YearTitlePlatformDescription
2012Space Shooter BlitzWeb
2010 Pocket God WebFacebook app based on the popular Bolt franchise for mobile, in association with Bolt.
Rock Paper Sumo WebFacebook application based on the Rock-Paper-Scissors system.
2009 Big Brain Wolf PC, MacPuzzle/point-and-click adventure game, in association with the NeuroActive Program.
2007Widgets OdysseyWebSci-fi side-scrolling platform game.
Ciao BellaPCRomantic simulation game.
Peter Flat's Inflatable AdventuresPCComical 3D platform game.

Smartphone games

YearTitlePlatformDescription
2016Trainers of Kala iOS, Android RTS Mobile Game
Splash Pop
2014Nun Attack Origins: Yuki's Silent QuestPlatformer mobile game
2013Nun Attack: Run & Gun
2012Nun 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!
2009GalaXseeds Tubershooter iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad Casual shooter game linked with the GalaXseeds MMOG.

Animation

YearTitlePlatformDescription
2018L'Agent Jean / Super Agent Jon Le Bon!Television seriesA 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.
2016MaXiTelevision seriesA 26 x 11-minute animated series, released on television by TFO and as a mobile application.

Development services

Virtual worlds and CMMOs

YearTitleClientPlatformDescription
2015Wanagogo Studio 100 Windows, iOS, Android Subscription-based virtual world for players between 4 and 6 years old.
2012KazaanaPixyKids Windows, iOS, Android
2011Skylanders Universe Activision WebVirtual world where children play different mini-games set in the Skylanders franchise.
Super Zapp!Les Éditions CECWebEducational virtual world where children can learn through different mini-games.
2010LeapWorld LeapFrog WebVirtual world for players between 4 and 6 years old.
2009Littlest Pet Shop Online Electronic Arts/Hasbro Interactive WebThe player manages a virtual pet shop with friends.
2008Tracksters10Vox EntertainmentWebMultiplayer online racing game
Magi-Nation: Battle for the Moonlands Cookie Jar Group (Tribal Nova)WebVirtual world set in a medieval fantasy environment inspired by the animated series of the same name.
2007Build-A-Bearville.com Build-A-Bear Workshop WebVirtual world where the player creates a customized character and plays mini-games.
NÉO Shifters Mega Brands WebFuturistic virtual world featuring multiplayer robot battles.

Social and web games

YearTitleClientPlatformDescription
2014Dream Town Bandai WebThe TamaTown website for the Tamagotchi Friends
2013 Half the Sky Movement: The Game Games for Change Web
2012Yu-Gi-Oh! BAM Konami Web, iOS, Android
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Ninja Turtle Tactics 3DNickelodeonWebBased on the 2012 TV series.
2010DriverVilleDonerWebFacebook app developed in association with Mazda featuring adventures and customizable items.
2009Sara's Super Spa Deluxe Shockwave WebStrategic spa management game
2008Nick Pals Nickelodeon WebSimulation game featuring different Nickelodeon pets.
Go Diego Go! Nick Jr. Channel WebBased on the TV show, an educational adventure game.
2007Avatar Bobble Battles Nickelodeon/Nick ArcadePC, WebCasual real-time strategy game based on the TV franchise.

Console games

YearTitleClientPlatformDescription
2021Disciples: 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
2018Illusion: A Tale of the MindGroupe 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
2010Vector Tower DefenseFun 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.
2009Desktop Tower Defense THQ Nintendo DS Strategy game where the player has to prevent invaders from crossing the screen.
2009Brainpipe Hands-On Mobile Smartphone, PSN Simple arcade game focusing on eye-hand coordination.
2008Calvin Tucker's Redneck JamboreeZoo Wii Party game featuring mini-games.
2008Lola and Virginia V.2 Play Nintendo DS Mini-games themed around the popular TV show Lola and Virginia.
2007Puppy 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

YearTitleClientPlatformDescription
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 GameMonkey Strength ProductionsBusiness 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.
2015View-Master Space
Dinotrux DreamWorks Animation Interactive app inspired by the TV show.
DreamWorks Color
Nexo Knights: Merlok 2.0 Lego Group
Code MaxPixcom Productions
Dennis & Gnasher: Blast In Beanotown DC Thomson iOS 3D action game based on Dennis & Gnasher
2014Monster High: Monster Maker Mattel Android, iOS, Kindle Fire Custom toy designer.
2010Greatest Tank Battles Breakthrough Entertainment iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad Real-time strategy game where the player controls a tank inspired by the TV show.
2010Build-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.
2009Monkey Kick-Off Miniclip iPhone, iPod Touch Kick the coconut as far as possible in this casual game.
2009iBrain FitBrain Center International iPhone, iPod Touch Scientifically-designed brain training through mini-games.
2009Brainpipe Hands-On Mobile iPhone, iPod Touch Simple arcade game focusing on eye-hand coordination.
2009Parade Carnaval de Québec iPhone, iPod Touch Strategy game where the player has to recreate the Carnaval de Québec's parade.
2008Beijing 2008Beijing 2008 iPhone, iPod Touch Mini-games based on the different Olympic events.
2008America's Got TalentPlayer X iPhone, iPod Touch Game in which the player has to match moves to become America's next rising star.
2006Deal or No Deal: Banker's RevengeMoblissMobileCasual game in which the player takes on the role of the Banker.
2005Family Guy: Stewie 2.0Airborne EntertainmentMobileReal-time strategy game based on the popular TV franchise.

Animation and special FX

YearTitleClientPlatformDescription
2018Elliot the Littlest ReindeerAwesometown EntertainmentFeature FilmCG-animation.
Nelly & Simon Mission YetiProductions 10e ave
2013 Dragons 3D Thalie Productions IMAX short filmSpecial effects and CG animation.
2010Qualinet Space OdysseyQualinetTVSpecial effects realized for a TV ad for Qualinet, the leader in cleaning and disaster response.
2008Cranium KabookiiUbisoftWiiAnimated intro for Ubisoft's Cranium Kabookii.
2007WProductions 10e aveTVSeries 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.

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References

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  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)