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Invoke Studios
Invoke Studios
Invoke Studios
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Invoke Studios, formerly Tuque Games, is a Canadian video game developer based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The company was founded by Jeff Hattem,[2][3] formerly of Ubisoft and Behaviour Interactive, in 2012. The company released its first game Livelock in partnership with publisher Perfect World Entertainment in 2016.[4] Tuque Games released a Dungeons & Dragons game called Dark Alliance in 2021.[5]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Tuque Games was founded in 2012.[6] began work on a sci-fi RPG titled World War Machine in 2014. They employed researchers from nanotechnology and aerospace defense fields to help develop the game.[7] Concept art for the game was created by Aaron Beck, known for work on District 9, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Elysium, while the story was done by Daniel H. Wilson, author of Robopocalypse.[8] World War Machine became the first submission accepted through the Square Enix Collective in April 2014.[9] World War Machine was renamed to Livelock in 2016.[10] It was the first buy-to-play game published by Perfect World Entertainment.[11]

Tuque Games started developing a Dungeons & Dragons game in partnership with Wizards of the Coast with a team of 12 in early 2017.[1] In March 2019, the company announced that the Dungeons & Dragons game was in development.[12] Wizards of the Coast then acquired Tuque Games in October 2019.[13] Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance was officially announced with a teaser trailer shown during The Game Awards 2019 on December 12, 2019.[5]

Tuque Games rebranded to Invoke Studios in late 2022.[14]

Games

[edit]
Year Title System
2016 Livelock[5] Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2021 Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [15]
2027 Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Invoke Studios

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from Grokipedia
Invoke Studios is a Canadian video game developer headquartered in , , focused on creating ambitious AAA fantasy games, including titles inspired by the franchise, as a of . The studio, which rebranded from Tuque Games in October 2022, emphasizes high-quality experiences that inspire creativity, spark passion, and build global communities around legendary intellectual properties. Originally founded as Tuque Games in 2012 and acquired by —a division—in October 2019, the studio has roots in developing action-oriented games within established universes. Under its previous name, Tuque Games released Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance on June 22, 2021, a co-op action RPG set in the , though the title faced mixed reception and its servers were shut down with delisting from digital storefronts on February 24, 2025. Following the rebrand, Invoke Studios has grown from an initial team of 80 employees in 2022, expanding to over 200 by 2025, while continuing to operate from its base. As of 2025, Invoke Studios is actively developing an untitled AAA game derived from the universe, powered by Unreal Engine 5, marking it as one of Canada's key contributors to high-profile fantasy gaming. The studio's work aligns with 's broader digital expansion, including a new adjacent development hub, Wizards of the Coast Studios Inc., set to open in in summer 2026 to support the D&D portfolio and create around 200 additional jobs over three years. Invoke's mission underscores a collaborative environment rooted in empowerment, respect, and humility to deliver enduring player experiences.

History

Founding and early years

Tuque Games was established in 2012 by Jeff Hattem in , , , as an independent studio focused on creating original titles for PC and console platforms. The company began operations with a small team of industry veterans drawn from 's vibrant game development scene, aiming to build innovative experiences in the action RPG genre. From its inception, Tuque Games prioritized independent projects, launching development on World War Machine, a sci-fi action RPG set in a post-human world where players control customizable mechs battling machine factions. Announced as one of the inaugural titles in the initiative, the game incorporated consultations with experts in and to ground its mechanics in plausible science, such as realistic mech designs and environmental interactions. In 2014, Tuque Games initiated an Indiegogo campaign for World War Machine to fund further prototyping, targeting $50,000 but ultimately falling short of the goal despite community interest. The World War Machine project evolved into Livelock, a top-down shooter that retained core elements like machine warfare in a dystopian setting while shifting toward streamlined mechanics. This transition emphasized seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op gameplay, allowing up to three players to collaborate on missions or compete in battle royale modes, a focus refined through early prototypes that tested group dynamics and shared progression systems. As development progressed toward Livelock's completion in 2016, the studio expanded its team to support full production, hiring additional programmers, artists, and designers to iterate on features that encouraged tactical teamwork without punishing solo play. This period marked Tuque Games' growth from a nascent indie outfit to a capable developer ready for its first major release, setting the foundation for future collaborations.

Acquisition by Wizards of the Coast

In October 2019, , a subsidiary of Inc., announced its acquisition of Tuque Games, the Montreal-based digital game development studio, for an undisclosed amount. The deal was completed shortly thereafter, marking Wizards' first wholly-owned video game studio and expanding its presence in the Canadian city. The acquisition was driven by Wizards' strategy to bolster its in-house digital game development capabilities, particularly for its flagship intellectual property, while capitalizing on Tuque's established expertise in multiplayer . By bringing Tuque under its umbrella, Wizards aimed to create more immersive digital experiences that bridge and formats, enhancing fan engagement across platforms. Following the acquisition, Tuque's team grew to over 55 full-time employees, with plans for further expansion to support larger-scale projects. The studio integrated into Wizards' emerging operations, operating as a dedicated hub for while retaining its independent creative structure under veteran leadership. Under the new ownership, Tuque was assigned to continue and lead the development of , a action RPG that the studio had already begun prior to the acquisition. This project represented ' initial foray into a major D&D video game title.

Rebranding and recent developments

In October 2022, rebranded its Montreal-based subsidiary Tuque Games as Invoke Studios to better align the developer's efforts with the creation of AAA fantasy titles rooted in the universe. This change marked a strategic shift toward high-profile projects under the Wizards banner, building on the studio's established expertise in action-oriented gameplay. Invoke Studios solidified its unique position as Canada's sole Wizards of the Coast-affiliated developer focused on AAA experiences, operating from Montreal's vibrant game development ecosystem. Concurrent with the rebranding, the studio revealed it was early in production on a new AAA title set in the world, powered by Unreal Engine 5 to deliver immersive, large-scale adventures. This project underscored Invoke's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for expansive fantasy narratives. Between 2023 and 2025, Invoke Studios navigated key milestones amid evolving industry dynamics, including the December 2024 announcement that its 2021 release Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance would be delisted from digital storefronts and have its online servers discontinued, which occurred on February 24, 2025. The decision followed the game's mixed critical reception, with reviewers praising its co-op combat potential but critiquing repetitive level design, technical issues, and shallow progression systems that hindered long-term engagement. Despite these challenges, the studio maintained its focus on ambitious development, and expanded its team to approximately 200 employees by 2025 to support ongoing fantasy initiatives. In September 2025, announced a new adjacent development hub, , in , set to open in summer 2026 to support the and create around 200 additional jobs over three years. ' enduring mission centers on crafting high-quality, innovative games that inspire creativity and build global communities around legendary franchises like . By prioritizing player empowerment in storytelling and technical excellence, the studio aims to deliver experiences that resonate with millions of fans worldwide.

Games

Livelock

Livelock originated as the debut project of Tuque Games, founded in 2012 in , , with development commencing shortly thereafter under the working title World War Machine. Initially envisioned as a sci-fi RPG, the game was publicly announced in April 2014 as the first project approved by , followed by a campaign on aiming to raise $50,000 for PC development. Between 2012 and 2015, the team restructured the concept into a top-down , shifting focus to cooperative multiplayer mechanics while retaining core themes of machine warfare and human revival. This evolution allowed the studio to emphasize accessible co-op play over RPG progression, culminating in a partnership with Perfect World Entertainment for publishing. At its core, Livelock is set in a post-apocalyptic 22nd-century world ravaged by a , where artificial intelligences wage endless war in a state of "livelock," trapping the planet in perpetual conflict. Players control one of three playable classes—Vanguard (a heavy combat tank specializing in and shielding), (a support specialist deploying drones for repairs and ), or Hex (an infiltrator focused on stealth, speed, and ranged precision strikes)—tasked with disrupting enemy machines non-lethally to "awaken" them and break the cycle. blends fast-paced with puzzle-solving elements, requiring coordinated team strategies to navigate levels, collect upgrade materials from disrupted foes, and unlock the path to Eden for humanity's return. The title supports up to three-player online co-op, with solo play featuring AI companions, highlighting tactical over direct destruction. Livelock launched on August 30, 2016, for PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, marking Perfect World Entertainment's first buy-to-play title outside free-to-play models. Priced at $19.99, it featured a three-pack option for $45 to encourage co-op purchases. The game received positive reviews for its polished co-op mechanics, intuitive class differentiation, and satisfying twin-stick action, earning Metacritic scores of 73/100 for PC, 69/100 for PS4, and 77/100 for Xbox One. Critics praised the non-lethal disruption system and replayable procedural modes, though some noted repetitive level design and a thin narrative. As Tuque Games' (later Invoke Studios') independent flagship, Livelock solidified the studio's reputation for crafting engaging cooperative experiences, influencing their subsequent focus on multiplayer-driven titles.

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is a third-person developed by Tuque Games (now ) using Unreal Engine 4, initiated following Wizards of the Coast's 2019 acquisition of the studio to expand video game projects. Set in the harsh tundra of within the , the game reimagines classic characters from R.A. Salvatore's novels in a co-op-focused campaign emphasizing real-time combat and exploration. Development emphasized mechanics, including stamina-based strategies and collaborative enemy encounters, to capture the essence of ' cooperative play. The core gameplay revolves around four playable heroes—Drizzt Do'Urden (dual-wielding rogue), (archer), Wulfgar (barbarian tank), and Bruenor Battlehammer (dwarven fighter)—each with unique abilities and combo chains for melee and ranged attacks. Players undertake campaign missions across linear levels, battling monsters like frost giants and goblins while collecting loot to upgrade gear and feats, culminating in confrontations with villains such as the cultist mage Akar Kessell. Designed for up to four-player co-op (local or online), the experience includes dynamic arenas that scale with party size and a short-rest system balancing risk and reward for better rewards. Released on June 22, 2021, for PC ( and ), , , , and , the game launched with day-one availability on and featured promotional free weekends on to attract players. Post-launch support included multiple patches addressing bugs, balance issues, and connectivity problems, alongside free content updates adding new levels and challenges in summer and fall 2021, followed by paid DLC expansions like Echoes of the Blood War. The title received mixed reviews, with scores ranging from 53 on PC to around 59 overall on , praised for its faithful character portrayals and co-op combat but criticized for repetitive mission structure, shallow progression, and persistent technical glitches like crashes and matchmaking failures. Commercial performance was underwhelming, generating approximately $3 million in Steam revenue during its first month of release amid low physical sales (with accounting for just 4% of units). These factors contributed to its delisting from all digital storefronts on February 24, 2025, alongside multiplayer server shutdowns, though owners retain access to offline single-player mode including all DLC.

Upcoming projects

In October 2022, Invoke Studios announced its primary upcoming project: an untitled AAA game set in the universe, developed using Unreal Engine 5. This initiative marks the studio's shift toward creating ambitious, high-quality fantasy titles inspired by the role-playing legacy of the intellectual property. As of 2025, the game is in active production, supported by the studio's full Montreal-based team, which has grown toward its target of over 200 employees to handle the project's scope. This development effort leverages lessons from prior D&D adaptations to pursue broader explorations within the franchise, potentially extending beyond traditional settings as part of Wizards of the Coast's wider video game strategy. No additional projects have been publicly confirmed, aligning with the studio's focused approach to one major title at a time.

Organization and operations

Leadership

Jeff Hattem founded Tuque Games, the predecessor to Invoke Studios, in 2012 and serves as the studio's Vice President of Creative, overseeing creative direction and operations following the 2019 acquisition by Wizards of the Coast. Since April 2021, Dominic Guay has led the studio as Vice President and General Manager, bringing over 20 years of experience from Ubisoft where he contributed to titles like Splinter Cell, Far Cry, and Watch Dogs, facilitating post-acquisition integration with Wizards of the Coast executives and broader Hasbro leadership influence. No other named deputies are publicly detailed, with emphasis placed on Hattem's vision for in co-op and fantasy genres under the studio's evolving structure. Invoke Studios' leadership philosophy centers on fostering small, passionate, close-knit teams that enjoy their craft, guided by a mission to "have fun building great games" in a positive environment emphasizing autonomy, respect, team spirit, empowerment, humility, and ego-free collaboration to deliver high-quality experiences.

Facilities and workforce

Invoke Studios operates from a single facility in , , , located at 1001 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, 17th floor, having relocated from the Saint-Henri district post-2022. The studio was established in 2012 and has since expanded its physical and operational capacity following its 2019 acquisition by , enabling support for larger-scale AAA game development projects. This growth aligns with Montreal's vibrant game development ecosystem, which facilitates talent recruitment from a global pool of professionals. The workforce at Invoke Studios consists of approximately 200 employees as of 2025, including developers, artists, and designers specializing in co-operative multiplayer mechanics and fantasy genres. The team draws from a diverse, international talent pool, incorporating individuals from various cultural backgrounds to foster innovative perspectives in game creation. This composition blends experienced veterans from major franchises with emerging talents, emphasizing both technical specialists and versatile generalists to support multidisciplinary collaboration. A planned adjacent development hub, Studios Inc., is set to open next to Invoke's facility in summer 2026, supporting the D&D portfolio and creating around 200 additional jobs over three years. Company culture prioritizes work-life balance through a flexible hybrid work model, allowing employees to balance in-office with remote flexibility as needed post-COVID. Under , the studio maintains significant autonomy in developing its operational methods, promoting creative freedom by valuing input from all team members and encouraging idea-sharing across roles. Core values of empowerment, respect, and humility underpin daily operations, with a focus on , continuous learning, and equality to build a supportive environment. Development workflows leverage tools like Unreal Engine 5 to streamline production of high-quality fantasy titles.

References

  1. https://company.wizards.com/en/news/invoke-studios-a-new-name-in-triple-a-video-games-in-montreal
  2. https://invokestudios.com/
  3. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wizards-of-the-coast-acquires-tuque-games-300946810.html
  4. https://www.polygon.com/news/498079/dungeons-dragons-dark-alliance-shutting-down-date/
  5. https://www.ign.com/articles/dungeons-dragons-dark-alliance-release-date-announced
  6. https://growjo.com/company/Invoke_Studios
  7. https://newsroom.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-expands-presence-montreal
  8. https://invokestudios.com/mission
  9. https://www.owler.com/company/tuquegames
  10. https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_EU/news/world-war-machine-goes-crowdfunding
  11. https://kotaku.com/how-to-make-a-mech-the-science-behind-world-war-machi-1589794542
  12. https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/15/5721542/world-war-machine-crowdfunding-indiegogo-square-enix-collective
  13. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/wizards-of-the-coast-acquires-tuque-games
  14. https://crotchetyoldgamer.com/2014/06/29/wwm-preview/
  15. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tuque-games-rebrands-as-invoke-studios
  16. https://www.ign.com/articles/dungeons-dragons-dark-alliance-going-offline-after-3-years
  17. https://www.ign.com/articles/dungeons-and-dragons-dark-alliance-review
  18. https://canadiangamedevs.com/blog/tuque-games-rebranded-as-invoke-studios
  19. https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-montreal-studio-1236534612/
  20. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-collective-opens-for-submissions-approves-post-human-rpg-world-war-machine/1100-6418795/
  21. https://store.steampowered.com/app/251230/Livelock/
  22. https://www.windowscentral.com/livelock-review
  23. https://livelock.fandom.com/wiki/Livelock
  24. https://www.metacritic.com/game/livelock/
  25. https://blog.playstation.com/2016/06/22/livelock-coming-to-ps4-on-august-2/
  26. https://www.vg247.com/co-op-isometric-action-rpg-livelock-gets-release-date-on-pc-ps4-xbox-one
  27. https://www.dicebreaker.com/series/dungeons-and-dragons/news/invoke-studios-developing-new-dungeons-and-dragons-video-game
  28. https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/developer-interviews/how-tuque-games-brought-compelling-co-op-to-dungeons-dragons-dark-alliance
  29. https://darkalliance.wiki.fextralife.com/Akar%2BKessell
  30. https://darkalliance-support.wizards.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402588817044-What-platforms-are-supported
  31. https://www.ign.com/articles/dnd-dark-alliance-dlc-roadmap
  32. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dungeons-and-dragons-dark-alliance/
  33. https://opencritic.com/game/11567/dungeons-dragons-dark-alliance
  34. https://gamesensor.info/news/dungeons_and_dragons_dark_alliance
  35. https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/mustafa-mahmoud/just-4-of-physical-sales-for-dungeons-dragons-dark-alliance-were-on-xbox/
  36. https://www.ign.com/articles/new-dungeons-and-dragons-aaa-game-in-development-at-dark-alliance-studio
  37. https://www.eurogamer.net/dungeons-dragons-triple-a-unreal-engine-5-game-in-development
  38. https://www.gematsu.com/companies/wizards-of-the-coast/invoke-studios
  39. https://wccftech.com/d-invokes-next-game-may-have-pvp-modes/
  40. https://invokestudios.com/anniversary
  41. https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/gaming-luigis-mansion-3-good-reviews-dungeons-and-dragons-more
  42. https://rocketreach.co/jeff-hattem-email_22521972
  43. https://theorg.com/org/invokestudios/org-chart/jeff-hattem
  44. https://ca.linkedin.com/company/invokestudios
  45. https://rocketreach.co/invoke-studios-profile_b5f498baf42d2b1a
  46. https://www.geekwire.com/2022/wizards-of-the-coast-launches-new-studio-invoke-games-built-from-dark-alliance-dev-team/
  47. https://80.lv/articles/invoke-studios-on-the-studio-s-relaunch-building-its-own-specific-working-culture
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