In a recent announcement, CyberConnect2, the Japanese video game development studio, revealed that its Canadian subsidiary, CyberConnect2 Montreal Studio, will cease operations at the end of July 2023. The Montreal-based studio was first established in December 2016 as part of the company’s expansion into the international market.
CyberConnect2 is best known for its work on the .hack series, a series of fighting games based on the Naruto franchise, and the Little Tail Bronx series, which includes games such as Tail Concerto and Solatorobo: Red the Hunter. In 2015, the company was involved in the development of the Final Fantasy VII Remake, described in a March 2015 Famitsu job advertisement as a photo-realistic role-playing game aimed at the international market built on the Unreal Engine 4 involving physically based rendering. However, in May 2017, CyberConnect2 left the project due to unreasonable management from above, and Square Enix moved the remaining development of Final Fantasy VII Remake in-house.
In an official statement, CyberConnect2 expressed deep sadness over the closure of its Montreal studio and thanked its dedicated staff, educational institution partners, administration offices, and the entire Montreal video game industry for their support. The statement also acknowledged the Montreal Studio’s contributions to the company, stating that since its founding in 2016, the studio has guided CyberConnect2 on a creative journey, developing tools and cutting-edge techniques used in creating games.
Although the Montreal Studio will close, CyberConnect2 remains optimistic about the future and plans to continue growing and moving forward with the experiences gained during its time in Montreal. The company expressed gratitude for the understanding of its supporters and looks forward to continued guidance and support.