August 26^th, 2005 (4:03pm) - Foundation 9 Entertainment, North America’s largest independent game developer, revealed that it is considering an expansion in Canada. The company is planning a recruitment drive in the Atlantic region in September to see if there are enough resources available to open a studio in that location.

"I grew up with a lot of talented guys, so I know the talent is there. We just have to find it," says Jeff Vavasour, vice president of Canadian operations and studio head of Foundation 9’s Backbone Vancouver location. Vavasour, as well as Foundation 9 Co-President, Andrew Ayre, and COO, Larry Kelly, are all native Newfoundlanders.

Foundation 9 has had an official presence in Canada since 1997, when the Vancouver, BC studio opened under the name of Digital Eclipse. Now known as Backbone Vancouver, that studio has experienced a rapid expansion, growing from around 20 employees to more than 80 over the past two years.

"The gaming industry really has no regional boundaries," said Ayre. "If we’re able to find enough talent and resources in the region, we will seriously consider expansion there."