Wizards of the Coast, the legendary game developer and division of Hasbro, announced the opening of its new game development hub in Montreal in Quebec, Canada.
Operating as Wizards of the Coast Studios, the expansion marks a significant investment for both the company and the city, with some 200 jobs expected to be created over the next three years.
That’s a big deal for the game industry, which has been reeling from layoffs and studio closures in recent years. And it so happens that John Hight, president of Wizards of the Coast ( a division of Hasbro), will be a speaker for GamesBeat Next 2025 on November 12-13 in San Francisco.
Set to operate alongside Wizards of the Coast’s existing Montreal-based video game team at Invoke Studios, the new hub 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 and Concordia University graduate, Dan Ayoub, who began his career in Montréal nearly 30 years ago, has been tapped to lead the charge.
“As we ramp up our investment in digital gaming, Montréal is the natural choice. The city’s talent, creativity, and passion will be crucial as we craft immersive stories and experiences for our players,” said Ayoub, global play lead for D&D and head of Wizards of the Coast Studios, in a statemnt. “It feels incredible to return to the city where my career began in 1999, back when the gaming industry was just taking off.”
Wizards has been active in Greater Montréal’s gaming ecosystem since 2019 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 summer of 2026.
Hasbro’s Renton, Washington-based office serves as the headquarters for the gaming and digital businesses. With this expansion, Montréal joins the list of major Hasbro offices around the world. Each of Hasbro’s campuses plays a critical role in the company’s creative pipeline, digital innovation, and operations. These locations strengthen Hasbro’s ability to deliver world-class brands and experiences to fans and families around the globe.
Montréal International and Investissement Québec are supporting Hasbro in this investment project.
“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 triple-A titles,” said Stéphane Paquet, CEO of Montréal International, in a statement. “Thank you for choosing Montréal, and a special welcome (back) to Dan Ayoub, whose successful career was launched right here, on Montréal.”
“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”, said Hubert Bolduc, President of Investissement Québec International.