adminVelan Studios has opened a new office in Toronto, expanding its presence into Canada. The Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit developer says the location will support work on upcoming self-published games and projects connected to other entertainment properties. The move also brings the studio into Toronto’s interactive entertainment community.
Image credit: Velan Studios
Velan Studios Toronto office and its role
The new office is in Toronto’s Downtown neighbourhood. Velan plans to use the space to develop its own upcoming titles and collaborate on games involving intellectual properties from other partners. The studio has also joined Ontario Interactive, a not-for-profit organisation focused on the province’s interactive digital media sector.
Studio CEO and co-founder Karthik Bala said Velan aims to create games that offer unexpected, memorable experiences for players. He added that the company is looking forward to working with Toronto developers who share an interest in thoughtful and distinctive game design.
For local developers considering opportunities with the company, the office expansion may make Toronto-based collaboration more accessible. Applicants should review each job listing carefully, since the available roles have different work arrangements and seniority requirements.
Jobs at the Toronto office and Troy headquarters
Velan is recruiting for both hybrid and onsite positions. Hybrid roles involve working in the studio three days per week. Onsite jobs are available at the new Toronto location and at the company’s headquarters in Troy, New York.
The positions listed include:
- Senior gameplay animator
- Art director
- Senior technical artist
- Studio art manager
- Senior systems designer
- Senior combat designer
- Senior level designer
The studio said it expects to announce additional positions. Because openings can change, candidates should confirm that a role is still available and check its location and in-office expectations before applying.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed the expansion, describing the city as an international centre for digital media and game development. She said the addition of Velan Studios could contribute skilled jobs and support the region’s interactive entertainment industry.
Velan Studios’ background
Guha and Karthik Bala, who previously founded Vicarious Visions, established Velan Studios in 2016. The studio developed the multiplayer game Knockout City, which shut down in June 2023, about two years after its release. Guha Bala later discussed the closure and the possibility of a sequel.
In 2024, Velan announced that it was beginning a reorganisation after an external developer cancelled a project. The company notified 46 employees that their jobs were at risk. The Toronto office opening represents an expansion alongside that earlier period of organisational change.
What the Velan Studios Toronto office means
The Velan Studios Toronto office gives the developer a base in a major Canadian game-development centre and creates another location for hiring and collaboration. Its stated plans cover self-published games and projects based on partner intellectual properties. Candidates can use the published role details to compare hybrid and onsite expectations across Toronto and Troy.
