Silicon Knights to go self publishing

Silicon Knights, the Canadian developer of Too Human, has received CAD £3 million in government funding and plans to use the money to become self publishing.

It also plans to hire 80 new team members, upgrade company tech like new 3D tools, and support new, unannounced, projects.

"This is going to benefit Silicon Knights in ways that are profound and long-lasting," said Denis Dyack, company president.

"With Ontario government support, we are better-positioned to further develop the eighth art of video games. This will enhance our competitive edge within the highly-competitive video game market, help us become a self-sustainable, self-publishing entity, and allow us to enter lucrative global markets."

Silicon Knights is currently developing a 3D game development engine with "new advanced camera systems, improved audio and video and better computing technology."

Dyack also spoke about the small number of developers now working on big, AAA titles, but was reticent about Silicon Knight's projects beyond X-Men Destiny for Activision.

"In our industry, you have to be very careful never to announce anything until the right time. We can only say it's a next generation title and a high production value game. That's all we can say."

The funding was announced by yesterday by Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade in Ontario.

""Our province continues to be an innovative leader in the high-growth, global video game market," Pupatello said.

"Ontario's support to Silicon Knights will expand production of its unique, next-generation 3D Game Engine, target new markets, and create highly-skilled jobs for St. Catharines and the surrounding community."

Silicon Knights currently employs around 97 people, and in April of last year was awarded a CAD $4 million grant by Ontario's Community Adjustment Fund. That grant allowed the company to add around 65 new employees to its line up.