Latest Execution Labs Cohort Reflects Cross-Platform, Global Focus 

Montreal, Canada – January 28, 2015 – Five independent game studios eagerly filled the newly expanded offices of Execution Labs (XL) this week for the start of XL’s winter Pre-Production Accelerator (PPA) program. The three-month PPA is designed for high-potential independent game studios working on promising game IP. As the name indicates, it is meant for teams that have a prototype but have not yet entered the production phase of development. XL provides the funding, guidance, and access needed for motivated teams to secure production funding and build a sustainable studio that has the long-term potential to create blockbuster IP.

Historically, participants in XL’s programs have focused on mobile, free-to-play games. This cohort is noticeably more varied, with teams working on prototypes for PC, console, and mobile devices. Some studios are building free-to-play games, while others are designing premium titles. The diversity doesn’t stop with the cohort’s platform and business model choices; the group is the most international XL has seen. While three teams hail from Canada, one arrives from Romania and the other has trekked from Slovenia.

 “We’ve always considered Execution Labs to be platform, business model, and geographically agnostic. Our goal is to have a huge variety of thriving XL alumni studios all over the world,” said XL co-founder Jason Della Rocca.

 Sand Sailor Studio is a case in point. The talented Romanian team is developing a thrilling, beautiful side scrolling game called Black: The Fall that will first launch on PC before moving to consoles as well. Slovenia’s PouPou Interactive game is Imanari, an ambitious 3 vs. 3 cross-platform melee brawler in which players can shapeshift between characters each with different strengths and weaknesses.

 After winning a top ten spot in the “Indies vs. PewDiePie” game jam, Montreal’s Outerminds is now partnering with the renowned YouTuber to make a pixel art mobile game developed with significant input from PewDiePie’s vibrant community of fans. Two other Canadian studios include Cardboard Utopia, which recently completed one of the highest-ranked community feedback campaigns with the Square Enix Collective for their JRPG War of Zodiarcs, and Quebec City’s Nine Dots Studio, who is currently developing an open world survival RPG called Beyond the Walls.

 More details about each of these teams is available at http://executionlabs.com/teams/.

 About Execution Labs

Execution Labs is a first-of-its kind accelerator and investment platform for independent game developers. Our goal is to back the very best game studios in the world through mentorship, financing, and a collaborative community. We’re based in Montreal with a business outpost in San Francisco and are backed by Corus Entertainment, BDC Capital, Real Ventures, and White Star Capital.