Frima Studio
 | |
| Industry | Video games, Animation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Québec City, Québec, Canada |
Key people | Philippe Bégin, Christian Daigle, Steve Couture |
| Products | Chariot, Nun Attack, Pocket God (Facebook), Build-A-Bearville, A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks! |
Number of employees | 265 |
| Website | www.frimastudio.com |
Based in Quebec City and founded in 2003, Frima Studio is a Canadian multiplatform game developer. The studio develops products across multiple platforms, including the Web, console, handheld, iPhone, iPad, TV and mobile. They also develop technologies focusing on game development and data analysis.
They have been noted as one of the fastest-growing companies in Canada.[1]
To date, they have developed 12 MMOGs/Virtual Worlds, two dozen Console and Smartphone titles, over 80 Mobile games, and more than 200 Flash games.
History
Founded in the city of Québec in 2003 by Steve Couture, Philippe Bégin and Christian Daigle in the midst of the dotcom 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. It is from these premises that the production of Flash games for Hollywood brands such as Harry Potter and Looney Tunes allowed the business to develop.
In 2008, Frima acquired Humagade, a mobile game developer.[2]
In 2010, with the opening of a second studio in Matane, they counted some 265 full-time employees, and showed no signs of slowing down. 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, the creation of 147 new jobs over the next three years, and the maintenance of 201 pre‐existing production‐oriented jobs.[3]
Softography
Original productions
Console games
| Year | Title | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Oddworld: Soulstorm | Platforms to be announced. | A follow-up to Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty. Co-developed with Oddworld Inhabitants. |
| 2014 | Chariot | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U | A co-op platformer game about a princess, her fiance and a deceased king |
| 2013 | Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge[4] | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita | A real-time strategy game about zombies warfare |
| 2013 | Nun Attack[5] | PlayStation Vita | A tactical action game about nuns blasting evil with guns |
| 2010 | A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks! | PlayStation Portable | A classic and simple space shooter game…for 2 bucks |
| 2010 | Young Thor | PlayStation Portable | Action-adventure game starring Thor when he was a lad |
| 2010 | Widgets Odyssey | PlayStation Portable | Sci-fi side-scrolling platformer |
| 2009 | Zombie Tycoon | PlayStation Portable | Real-time strategy zombie game |
Virtual worlds and CMMOs
| Year | Title | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | GalaXseeds | Web | Free sci-fi online virtual world |
Social and web games
| Year | Title | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Pocket God | Web | Facebook app based on the popular Bolt franchise for mobile, in association with Bolt |
| 2010 | Rock Paper Sumo | Web | Facebook application based on the Rock-Paper-Scissors system |
| 2009 | Big Brain Wolf | PC, Mac | Puzzle/point-and-click adventure game, in association with the NeuroActive Program |
| 2007 | Widgets Odyssey | Web | Sci-fi side-scrolling platformer |
| 2007 | Ciao Bella | PC | Romantic simulation game |
| 2007 | Peter Flat's Inflatable Adventures | PC | Comical 3D platform game |
Smartphone games
| Year | Title | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Nun Attack[6] | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android | A tactical action game about nuns blasting evil with guns |
| 2011 | A Space Shooter for Free! | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad | A classic and simple space shooter game for free! |
| 2009 | GalaXseeds Tubershooter | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad | Casual shooter game linked with the GalaXseeds MMOG |
Development services
Virtual worlds and CMMOs
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Super Zapp! | Les Éditions CEC | Web | Educational virtual world where children can learn through different mini-games |
| 2010 | LeapWorld | LeapFrog | Web | Virtual world for players between 4 and 6 years old |
| 2009 | Littlest Pet Shop Online | Electronic Arts/Hasbro Interactive | Web | The player has to manage a virtual pet shop with his/her friends |
| 2008 | Tracksters | 10Vox Entertainment | Web | Multiplayer online racing game |
| 2008 | Magi-Nation: Battle for the Moonlands | Cookie Jar (Tribal Nova) | Web | Virtual world set in a medieval fantasy environment |
| 2007 | Build-A-Bearville.com | Build-A-Bear Workshop | Web | Virtual world where the player can create his/her own customized character and play mini-games |
| 2007 | NÉO Shifters | Mega Brands | Web | Futuristic virtual world featuring multiplayer robot battles |
Social and web games
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | DriverVille | Doner | Web | Facebook app developed in association with Mazda featuring adventures and customizable items |
| 2009 | Sara's Super Spa Deluxe | Shockwave | Web | Strategic spa management game |
| 2008 | Nick Pals | Nickelodeon | Web | Simulation game featuring different Nickelodeon pets |
| 2008 | Go Diego Go! | Nick Jr. | Web | Based on the TV show, educational adventure game |
| 2007 | Avatar Bobble Battles | Nickelodeon/Nick Arcade | PC, Web | Casual real-time strategy game based on the TV franchise |
Console games
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Vector Tower Defense | Fun Tank | PSP | Strategy game where the player defends Earth from alien invaders |
| 2009 | Desktop Tower Defense | THQ | Nintendo DS | Strategy game where player has to prevent invaders from crossing the screen |
| 2009 | Brainpipe | Hands-On Mobile | Smartphone, PSN | Simple arcade game focusing on eye-hand coordination |
| 2008 | Calvin Tucker's Redneck Jamboree | Zoo | Wii | Party game featuring mini-games |
| 2008 | Lola and Virginia | Virgin Play | Nintendo DS | Mini-games themed around the popular TV show Lola and Virginia |
| 2007 | Puppy 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
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Greatest Tank Battles | Breakthrough Entertainment | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad | Real-time strategy game where the player controls a tank inspired from the TV show |
| 2010 | Build-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 |
| 2009 | Monkey Kick-Off | Miniclip | iPhone, iPod Touch | Kick the coconut as far as possible in this casual game |
| 2009 | iBrain Fit | Brain Center International | iPhone, iPod Touch | Scientifically-designed brain training through mini-games |
| 2009 | Brainpipe | Hands-On Mobile | iPhone, iPod Touch | Simple arcade game focusing on eye-hand coordination |
| 2009 | Parade | Carnaval de Québec | iPhone, iPod Touch | Strategy game where the player has to recreate the Carnaval de Québec's parade |
| 2008 | Beijing 2008 | Beijing 2008 | iPhone, iPod Touch | Mini-games based on the different Olympic events |
| 2008 | America's Got Talent | Player X | iPhone, iPod Touch | Game in which the player has to match moves to become America's next rising star |
| 2006 | Deal or No Deal: Banker's Revenge | Mobliss | Mobile | Casual game in which the player takes on the role of the Banker |
| 2005 | Family Guy: Stewie 2.0 | Airborne Entertainment | Mobile | Real-time strategy game based on the popular TV franchise |
Animation and special FX
| Year | Title | Client | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Qualinet Space Odyssey | Qualinet | TV | Special effects realized for a TV ad for Qualinet, leader in cleaning and disaster response |
| 2008 | Cranium Kabookii | Ubisoft | Wii | Animated intro for Ubisoft's Cranium Kabookii. |
| 2007 | W | Productions 10e ave | TV | Series of animated spots aired for three seasons on the Télétoon network. |
Awards and mentions
- 2009
Profit 100: Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies: 10th position
Issued by Profit Magazine[7]
- 2010
Pixie Awards: Gold Pixie Award for Qualinet Space Odyssey
Issued by the American Pixel Academy[8]
Indie Game Developer of the Year
Issued by Gamefocus.com[9](fr)
The Best Facebook Games of 2010: 4th place for Pocket God
Issued by Inside Social Games[10]
GalaXseeds
8.5/10 by Play BBG[11]
Rock Paper Sumo
“This game is really fun, addictive, and cute. Even if you don't like Facebook games this is a good one.”
By Tech and Games[12]
Zombie Tycoon
“Fun Gameplay. Simple but effective controls.”
8/10 By PlayStation Lifestyle[13]
A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks!
“If you're looking for a fun way to spend your commute for a week or a way to pass the time while on a lengthy plane ride, you needn’t look much further.”
Chariot
“A lot of love and care went into this game, and it shows in both the excellent mechanics and audio/visual package.”
9/10 by Nintendo Enthusiast[15]
Technologies
Molehill: Frima has been working with the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, which delivers the ability to create, texture and simultaneously animate hundreds of avatars without losing performance, as well as generate advanced special effects.[16] Frima was selected by Adobe as a Molehill pre-release partner.[17]
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.
Notes and references
- ↑ http://list.canadianbusiness.com/rankings/profit100/2010/DisplayProfile.aspx?profile=14 Frima's page on canadianbusiness.com
- ↑ "History". humagade.com. Frima Studio. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ↑ http://juliasherred.com/2010/06/frima-studio-announces-new-funding-awards/
- ↑ http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/10326-Zombie-Tycoon-2-Brainhov-s-Revenge-Review
- ↑ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2013/03/18/holy-guns-nun-attack-coming-to-ps-vita-tomorrow/
- ↑ http://www.appspy.com/review/5221/nun-attack
- ↑ http://list.canadianbusiness.com/rankings/profit100/2009/Default.aspx?sc1=0&d1=a&sp2=1&eh=ch
- ↑ http://www.pixieawards.com/Publicity_files/Pixie.Winners.pdf
- ↑ http://www.game-focus.com/?nav=article&did=409+
- ↑ http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2010/12/30/the-best-facebook-games-of-2010-part-ii/
- ↑ http://www.playbbg.com/gamelist/hot-games/galaxseeds.html
- ↑ http://techandgames.com/2010/6/10/rock-paper-sumo-review/
- ↑ http://playstationlifestyle.net/2009/11/06/psp-mini-review-zombie-tycoon/
- ↑ http://psp.ign.com/articles/114/1141208p1.html
- ↑ http://nintendoenthusiast.com/review/chariot-review-wii-u/
- ↑ http://www.frimastudio.com/medias/uploads/nouvelles/communiques/frima_zombie_tycoon_demo_release.pdf
- ↑ http://www.frimastudio.com/medias/uploads/nouvelles/communiques/pr_frima_molehill.pdf
External links
- Frima’s official website
- An article on Rock Paper Sumo and Frima Studio
- An article on A Space Shooter for 2 Bucks!