Hasbro-owned Magic: The Gathering publisher Wizards of the Coast has opened a new game development hub in Montréal.
Operating as Wizards of the Coast Studios Inc., the studio will focus on developing new content for the “Dungeons & Dragons” (D&D) franchise and supporting Wizards of the Coast’s growing digital games portfolio. Industry veteran Dan Ayoub has been selected to spearhead the new studio.
Since 2019, Wizards of the Coast has been active in Greater Montréal’s gaming ecosystem through its acquisition of Invoke Studios. The new hub will be located next to Invoke Studios’ space in the heart of downtown Montréal, with an official opening expected in the summer of 2026.
The expansion marks a significant investment for Hasbro in the city of Montréal, with approximately 200 jobs expected to be created over the next three years.
Hasbro’s Renton, Wash. office remains the headquarters for the company’s gaming and digital businesses.
“As we ramp up our investment in digital gaming, Montréal is the natural choice,” Ayoub said in a statement. “The city’s talent, creativity and passion will be crucial as we craft immersive stories and experiences for our players. It feels incredible to return to the city where my career began in 1999, back when the gaming industry was just taking off.”
Stéphane Paquet, president and CEO of Montréal International, said of the investment: “Montréal’s talent and creativity strike again! Hasbro’s latest investment is a powerful endorsement of our gaming ecosystem, home to more than 250 studios and 15,000 highly skilled professionals who have helped shape some of the most iconic AAA titles.”
Hubert Bolduc, president of Investissement Québec International, added: “Assisting foreign companies and their subsidiaries with their business ventures in Québec is in our DNA. As the leading driver of Québec’s economic development, we are proud to have backed Hasbro’s expansion in Montréal and to play a part in promoting the undisputed expertise of our video game ecosystem.”
