Snowed In Studios
- Open roles
- 1
- Founded
- 2009
- Employees
- 201-500
- Offices
- 1
About Snowed In Studios
Snowed In Studios is an Ottawa-based video game co-development studio providing engineering, art, production, porting, and technical support for console, PC, mobile, and web projects. Founded in 2009, the studio works across full SKU development as well as targeted feature implementation for AAA games and interactive products.
Its multidisciplinary teams support the development lifecycle from concept through release and post-launch work. Capabilities include gameplay and graphics programming, custom engine and pipeline tools, SDK integrations, engine modernization, performance profiling, debugging, certification, and cross-platform deployment. The studio also provides 2D and 3D art production, encompassing concept art, characters, creatures, props, environments, rigging, animation, UI/UX, and real-time visual effects.
Co-development and technical delivery
Snowed In Studios works on complex game-development assignments including:
- Full game and application production
- AAA co-development and feature implementation
- Platform porting, remastering, and SKU certification
- Custom tools and game-engine engineering
- Performance optimization and technical art support
- LiveOps engineering and post-launch support
- Localization quality assurance in collaboration with Keywords Studios
The studio has grown from its origins as an independent developer and technical contractor into a tier-one co-development partner supporting major publishers and game teams. Its work spans AAA console, PC, and mobile games as well as serious games, educational software, and interactive visualizations.
Snowed In Studios is the creator of the original airship sandbox RPG Windforge and has contributed engineering, technical art, UI/UX, porting, optimization, and feature-development work across a broad portfolio of externally developed games.
Since its acquisition by Keywords Studios in 2018, Snowed In Studios has continued to operate under its own brand and leadership as part of Keywords' Create / Game Development service line. The studio has expanded to more than 200 employees, bringing together software engineers, technical designers, concept artists, and 3D animators in Ottawa.
More about Snowed In Studios
Leadership and studio development
- Jean-Sylvain Sormany is Studio Head. Co-founders Chris Thiffault, Tim Vito, and Evan Hahn remain associated with the studio; Thiffault is also Senior Software Engineer.
- The leadership team listed in the research also includes Senior Producer Nigel Franks, Senior Business Development Manager Travis Gibson, and Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist Johanne Fratesi.
Culture and initiatives
Snowed In Studios describes its operating culture as “People First,” with sustainable work practices, flexible work-from-home arrangements, comprehensive benefits, and a no-crunch philosophy. The studio was recognized by GamesIndustry.biz as one of the “Best Places to Work in Canada.”
In 2021, it launched Scarab Games with Neptune Agency as an internal division focused on helping commercial brands create immersive experiences for console and PC environments. Scarab Games operates from the Ottawa studio rather than a separate facility.
Notable credits
22 creditsOffices
Where Snowed In Studios is based
- 250 City Centre Ave, Suite 500, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 6K7, CanadaOttawa, Ontario, Canada
Ottawa Headquarters / Main Studio
HeadquartersOpened 2020
Headquarters and main studio housing programming, art, design, project management, and localization QA teams.
Open roles
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