Acquisition of Darkest Dungeon Creator Highlights Behaviour’s Commitment to Horror
MONTREAL – Sept. 24, 2024 – Behaviour Interactive, the largest Canadian video game studio, is excited to announce its acquisition of Vancouver-based Red Hook Studios, one of the country’s most celebrated independent game developers.
Red Hook are the creators of the Darkest Dungeon series, which has grown from crowdfunded beginnings to become gaming’s most iconic gothic horror franchise. Darkest Dungeon and Darkest Dungeon II, released in 2016 and 2023, respectively, have combined to sell over seven million copies. Red Hook comprises 29 team members and will continue to function as an independent studio within Behaviour.
Red Hook’s acquisition reinforces Behaviour’s leading position in horror gaming. Behaviour’s flagship franchise, Dead by Daylight, has terrified more than 60 million players worldwide since its release in 2016. In April, the company partnered with Haenir Studios to develop Blight: Survival, a medieval horror action survival epic that has emerged as one of the industry’s most highly anticipated upcoming titles. Most recently, Behaviour and Supermassive Games released The Casting of Frank Stone, a cinematic horror experience that expands upon Dead by Daylight’s rich lore.
“It’s a privilege to welcome a developer of Red Hook’s calibre,” stated Rémi Racine, Behaviour’s co-founder and CEO. “Earlier this year, we established an ambitious goal for our future as a publisher – to make Behaviour synonymous with horror, and surround Dead by Daylight with a library of similarly exceptional horror games. Our acquisition of Red Hook is another emphatic step towards this objective, with more to come.”
“We’ve found kindred spirits in the Behaviour team,” stated Chris Bourassa, Red Hook’s co-founder. “Both studios are Canadian, independent, and devoted to fantastic horror games. Where we differ is scale, which opens the door to new possibilities. Behaviour’s support will help us pursue our vision for Red Hook’s future, and focus fully on transforming Darkest Dungeon into an absolute juggernaut of the dark fantasy genre.”
“Joining forces with Behaviour is exciting on multiple levels,” added Tyler Sigman, the second of Red Hook’s co-founders. “They have demonstrated a commitment to allowing our team to continue developing Darkest Dungeon in the manner we know best, but with the benefit of their considerable knowledge and resources. We are stronger together than apart. Critically, there is a shared love of Darkest Dungeon, and with Behaviour’s help we can delve even deeper into the franchise.”
“Darkest Dungeon offers a natural complement to Dead by Daylight,” stated Stephen Mulrooney, Behaviour’s Chief Product and Technical Officer. “Both franchises occupy unique points on the horror spectrum, and both offer their players deep, innovative gameplay and original, eldritch worlds. We’re so excited to add Darkest Dungeon to Behaviour’s horror portfolio. Not just because we’re huge fans of the games, but also because of the unparalleled creativity and passion demonstrated by Chris, Tyler, and every member of the Red Hook team.”
About Behaviour Interactive
Founded in 1992, Behaviour Interactive is the largest Canadian video game studio. Behaviour’s flagship original franchise, Dead by Daylight, has terrified more than 60 million players since its launch in 2016. Over more than thirty years, the company has also established a reputation as one of the world’s most highly regarded external development partners, working alongside gaming industry leaders such as Microsoft, Sony, EA, and Warner Bros. Behaviour’s more than 1,200 employees are located across its headquarters in Montreal and offices in Toronto, Rotterdam, and the United Kingdom. The company’s award-winning culture has been recognized by GamesIndustry.biz (Best Places to Work in Canada) and Deloitte (Canada’s Best Managed Companies), among others. For more information, visit www.bhvr.com.
About Red Hook Studios
Red Hook Studios is an independent video game developer founded by industry veterans Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman. Red Hook are the creators of the Darkest Dungeon franchise, which has sold over seven million copies across Darkest Dungeon (2016) and Darkest Dungeon II (2023). The studio comprises 29 team members and is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.redhookgames.com.
