Dalhousie Interactive Gamedev Society Conference 2025 Supplement
- Adam Hartling
- Sep 17
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 26
The following are additional resources related to the games and studios presented at the 2025 Dalhousie Interactive Gamedev Society Gamedev Conference on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the Dalhousie Student Union building.
The archive wishes to express its thanks the Dalhousie Interactive Society for the invitation to present the exhibit and present a talk.
Sign included with the exhibit:
Nova Scotia Game Development: A Condensed History Exhibit Presented by the Halifax Game Collective Archive and the DIG Gamedev Conference The following exhibit items are examples of computer and video game development in Nova Scotia. Items presented are displayed chronologically from the earliest known releases to the today. The items presented are only representative of a very small fraction of the many games and studios that produce entertainment in the province. |
Studio Descriptions & Supplemental Items:
Below are the studios presented, the contents of the text cards included and supplemental resources.
Simulations Canada (1977 - Present)
Simulations Canada was founded in 1977 by Stephen Newberg in Bridgewater. Initially producing table top wargames, they would later begin releasing strategic, text‑driven home computer war games in the early 1980s that blurred the lines between physical and digital formats. The player would continue to use paper maps but would play against a computer opponent directing their activities on screen. The first two of these titles from 1983 illustrate this hybrid model: Fall Gelb: The Fall of France, a simulation of Germany’s 1940 invasion, and Grey Seas, Grey Skies, a Cold War-era naval tactics game simulating engagements between surface and submarine units.
Positronic Software (1992 - 1996)
Positronic Software was a Dartmouth-based game company founded by the late Dr. David Lever, a Dalhousie mathematics PhD (1981) who applied his research in AI and topology to develop innovative, AI-driven card games. Beginning with an early computer bridge program created as a gift for his wife, Dr. Lever created the Expert Bidding System (EBS)—a modular AI engine that used engrams and genetic algorithms to simulate learning and memory. This technology powered Positronic Bridge, Perfect Partner Bridge. In 1996, the company self-published their last game Perfect Player Poker, with seven AI opponents trained from over 4,000 pokergames by a professional player.
HB Studios (2000 - Present)
HB Studios is based in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and is renowned for its expertise in sports simulation games. Founded in 2000 by Jeremy Wellard, the studio initially gained recognition for titles like Cricket 2002 and Rugby 2004, published under Electronic Arts' EA Sports label. Over the years, HB Studios developed over 50+ games across multiple platforms, such as The Golf Club series, Mark McMorris Infinite Air, and PGA Tour 2K21. In 2021, the company was acquired by 2K Games. As of 2023, HB Studios continues to operate from its Lunenburg headquarters, contributing to the development of the PGA Tour 2K franchise.
HB Studios games on Steam
QuickStickz (Skillz Systems) (2007 - 2015)
The QuickStickz was an interactive hockey stick handling training system developed by Skillz Systems, a company based in Bedford. Designed to enhance off-ice puck control and promote head-up stick handling, QuickStickz utilizes a specialized infrared camera and a reflective training ball, all developed and assembled in office. As players maneuver the ball with their hockey stick, the device emits IR light that reflects off the ball, from which the camera then captures movements and mirrors them on-screen, allowing users to control a virtual puck through various drills and games. A number of arcade style games were also included, such as a Breakout and Missile Defence inspired clones, with the onscreen action controlled with the infrared reflective ball.
Wayback Machine capture of official website Hockey dad hopes technology will 'revolutionize' stickhandling
Silverback Productions (2007 - Present)
Silverback Productions is a Halifax-based video game and digital media company established in 2007 by Willie Stevenson and Colleen Shannahan. The studio specializes in creating immersive virtual reality experiences, 3D modelling, and interactive simulations for various industries, including training, architecture, and entertainment. Their portfolio includes award-winning titles such as the Empress of the Deep series, Theatre of the Absurd, Mr. Jones' Graveyard Shift, and Aurora: Puzzle Adventure, which have been well-received on platforms like Big Fish Games, Steam, the iOS App Store, and Google Play.
Ubisoft Halifax (2010 - Present)
Ubisoft Halifax is a game development studio specializing in mobile free-to-play titles. Established in Halifax in 2010 as Longtail Studios after moving from Quebec and PEI, it was then acquired and renamed by Ubisoft Entertainment in 2015. The studio is Ubisoft’s first Canadian facility dedicated to mobile gaming, with a portfolio including Assassin’s Creed Rebellion and Rainbow Six Mobile. Today, Ubisoft Halifax employees over 80 staff and continues to innovate in the mobile gaming sector, contributing to Ubisoft’s global network of studios while fostering the growth of the game development community in Atlantic Canada.
Ubisoft acquires Halifax-based Longtail Studios, adds 10 jobs - CBC - Oct 14, 2015
Fring Frang (2014 - Present)
Chad Comeau is an Acadian game developer from Clare, Nova Scotia, known for his studio, Fring Frang, which celebrates regional culture through interactive storytelling. Since 2014, Comeau has developed a diverse portfolio of games, such as Donair Academy, Silent Earth, Granny Games and La vie d'Arcade. Of note is Clarevoyance (2020), an adventure game co-created with over 100 community members, featuring local folklore and characters voiced in Acadian French. Currently, Comeau is based in Germany, working at the Cologne Game Lab and working with Reframe Games in Fredericton, while continuing to develop games that reflect his cultural roots.
Chad Comeau est développeur de jeux acadien originaire de Clare, en Nouvelle-Écosse, créant des jeux célébrant la culture locale sous le nom de Fring Frang. Depuis 2014, Chad a développé une collection variée de titres, tels que Donair Academy, Silent Earth, Granny Games et La vie d’Arcade. Il a notamment lancé Clarevoyance (2020), un jeu d’aventure créé en collaboration avec plus de 100 membres de sa communauté. Les personnages dans le jeu parlent en français acadien et l’histoire fait revivre le folklore local. Chad est actuellement basé en Allemagne, travaillant au Cologne Game Lab et à Reframe Games à Fredericton, tout en continuant à développer des jeux qui reflètent ses racines culturelles.
Isometricorp Games (2016 - Present)
Isometricorp Games is an independent video game studio that developed the award winning game TUNIC, a charming isometric action-adventure featuring a small fox exploring a mysterious, lore-rich world. The studio was launched by Nova Scotian game designer Andrew Shouldice in 2016. They had previously worked at Silverback Productions but left to start the TUNIC project. Initially a solo project, other international indie creators would later be brought on to the project such as Kevin Regamey, Eric Billingsley, Terence Lee, Janice Kwan & ma-ko. The game was published by Finji in 2022 across many platforms to wide critical acclaim and awards.
Spoony Bard Productions (2017 - Present)
Spoony Bard Productions is a Truro based indie studio founded by Tomas Guinan. Before developing games, they produced online animations based on their original character Eskimo Bob starting in 1997. Since 2017, they have specialized in creating original, retro-style Nintendo Entertainment System games—first launching Eskimo Bob: Starring Alfonzo, followed by its 2019 sequel Alfonzo's Arctic Adventure, as well as licensed proprieties such as GALF, and Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl in collaboration with Interabang Entertainment. Recently, Guinan was part of a team that developed the game Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland, based on the tv series, with developer The Mix Games.
Spoony Bard games on Steam
Max Inferno (2021 - Present)
Max Inferno is an indie game studio co-founded by Annie Macmillan (illustration & design) and Lukas Steinman (programming & design) in K’jipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2021. Daniel Crane (technical lead) was added to the team in 2023. Their debut game, A Little To The Left, is a cozy, detail-oriented puzzle game where players sort and organize household items. Initially a game jam project for GMTK Game Jam 2020, they continued development into a full release that was later published by UK based Secret Mode in 2022. The game has been released on PC, Mac, consoles, and mobile and has become a favourite of online TikTok creators and Let’s Play streamers.
Max Inferno games on Steam
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