THQ opening new Montreal dev studio

First titles scheduled for release during publisher's fiscal 2013.

THQ has announced it has selected Montreal, Quebec, as the location for a brand new video game development studio which the publisher expects to become the largest facility in its global studio system.

THQ is to create in excess of 400 sustainable new jobs over the next five years as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to develop the highest quality games in a cost-effective manner.

Dave Gatchel, who was the general manager of THQ’s Paradigm Entertainment studio, has been appointed to serve as the studio’s general manager.

"We are focused on building hit franchises and achieving efficiencies within our studio organisation and THQ Montreal will play an integral role in achieving both of these objectives," said Danny Bilson, THQ executive vice president, THQ Core Games. "We expect to ramp up the studio over the next several years, with our first titles targeted for release in fiscal 2013."

THQ expects to open the studio by mid-2010, with the first titles targeted for release in fiscal 2013.