Certain Affinity is a game development studio that has partnered with some of the biggest players in the industry, including Call of Duty, Halo, World of Tanks, Left 4 Dead, Hearthstone, and Hogwarts Legacy. And in spite of the global economic downturn, it is expanding with a new 12,000-square-foot facility in Toronto, Canada.
Certain Affinity chose Toronto over many other cities — such as Austin, where the company is originally from — due to the city’s close connections with local universities and colleges, as well as the city’s commitment to the game development industry. The company has since grown to over 200 people and the new facility will be able to double the space with enough room to support up to 100 employees in the future. The staff at the Toronto location will be working on original intellectual properties as well as content updates for larger projects.
At the helm of the company is COO Paul Sams and CEO Max Hoberman. Sams, who joined Certain Affinity in 2020, was drawn to the company for its “no-crunch culture” and commitment towards innovation. Sams believes that the company needs to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to using current technology, such as generative AI, and is working to integrate the technology at the right time without forcing the issue.
Hoberman, the CEO, went on the record to praise Toronto’s thriving techno-creative space, viewing the city as a center for innovation and creativity. Certain Affinity has been supported by organizations such as Interactive Ontario and will continue to rely on the highly skilled, local talent.
Details of the new building exemplifies the company’s commitment to taking care of its employees. Some of the attractive features of the new space include a rooftop deck with views of the city and a recreation area featuring Ping-Pong, board games, and other activities.
The company is actively seeking new team members to join the staff and bring the new ideas and projects to life. Open roles include artists, programmers, designers, and producers. With the grand expansion of Certain Affinity in Toronto, the city is faster becoming a premier destination for the games industry.
