Wizards of the Coast Sets Up in Montreal
In a move that underscores Montreal’s growing role in the global video game ecosystem, Wizards of the Coast, the strategy-focused studio behind the legendary Dungeons & Dragons franchise, announced plans to open a new development studio in downtown Montreal by the summer of 2026. The initiative, backed by parent company Hasbro, aims to create approximately 200 jobs over the next three years as the company expands its portfolio across multiple formats, including video games, tabletop experiences, and potential film projects.
The project is led by Dan Ayoub, a respected industry veteran who previously held leadership roles at Electronic Arts and Ubisoft. Ayoub was named head of Dungeons & Dragons earlier this year with a mandate to translate the franchise into a broader array of experiences while preserving the essence of what made D&D a cultural touchstone. He noted that Montreal was a natural choice to support the company’s digital growth, praising the city’s talent, creativity, and passion for storytelling that can fuel immersive player experiences.
Strategic Location and a Neighboring Studio
The Montreal studio will be located in the city’s vibrant core, in proximity to Invoke Studios, a game development house Wizards of the Coast acquired in 2019. The proximity could foster collaboration across projects and accelerate the studio’s ability to recruit and scale. Ayoub emphasized that the location aligns with the team’s ambition to tell expansive stories across formats, leveraging Montreal’s well-established gaming infrastructure.
Public Support and Industry Confidence
The project is being undertaken with support from Montréal International and Investissement Québec, two pillars of the region’s economic development strategy. Stéphane Paquet, president and CEO of Montréal International, remarked that Hasbro’s decision signals the ongoing strength of Quebec’s video game sector, which already hosts about 250 studios and a talent pool of roughly 15,000 professionals who have contributed to a range of AAA titles.
Reaction from industry associations was reservedly upbeat. The Quebec Video Game Guild, representing a broad cross-section of studios and developers, described the news as very favorable. The guild also highlighted the broader significance of the investment in a market that has remained resilient even during global industry challenges, noting that the presence of a major IP holder like Wizards of the Coast enhances the province’s standing in the global gaming landscape.
D&D and the Broader Gaming Landscape
Donjons et Dragons has long enjoyed a strong presence in the gaming world, with its IP appearing across multiple formats since its inception. The announcement arrives as the success of Baldur’s Gate III — developed by Larian Studios and celebrated as a standout RPG after a string of awards — continues to reinforce the potential of fantasy RPGs in both PC and console ecosystems. While Larian has indicated it will not work on a fourth Baldur’s Gate game with Wizards’ IP, the Montreal studio could become a hub for original D&D projects or a new entry in the Baldur’s Gate universe under the studio’s leadership. The exact project slate remains to be announced, but the studio’s mandate is clear: expand D&D’s reach into new gaming experiences while exploring cooperative opportunities with Quebec’s existing studios.
Impact on Montreal’s Gaming Ecosystem
Montreal’s video game sector is already a global magnet for talent, and the new Wizards of the Coast studio is expected to reinforce this momentum. The city’s ecosystem — which features a high concentration of studios across genres, strong post-production capabilities, and a supportive regulatory environment — is well positioned to attract high-profile IP work and nurture local talent. Officials and industry observers suggest the studio will help diversify the region’s offerings, deepen collaboration with neighboring studios, and provide a pathway for growth for many studios and independent developers in Quebec.
What Lies Ahead
With the Summer 2026 target and a multi-year plan to add roughly 200 roles, the Montreal studio signals a significant long-term bet on D&D’s digital future. The venture will join the ranks of Quebec’s thriving game development scene, positioning Montreal as a premier center for fantasy-adventure storytelling and interactive entertainment. As more details emerge about the project slate and recruitment, the industry will be watching closely to see how Wizards of the Coast integrates local talent and infrastructure into its broader strategy for the D&D brand.
