Work-for-hire games firm Virtuos has invested in newly-formed Canadian studio Umanaïa Interactive.

It's not clear how much the company has put behind the developer, but says that this is a show of support for the Quebec games scene.

Umanaïa is the new venture started by Ubisoft vet Yannis Mallat and Stephane Cardin, both veterans of Ubisoft. The former departed the French publishing giant back in 2020 after allegations against staff at the company would have made it "impossible for him to continue" in his position as managing director of Ubisoft's Canadian studios.

“We are proud to partner with one of the most experienced teams in Quebec from the very beginning of their promising journey," Virtuos CEO Gilles Langourieux said.

"Montreal is a major game development hub, and we also see this as an opportunity to collaborate with more world-class talent to stay at the forefront of the industry. Our investment allows Umanaïa to count on a serious and knowledgeable partner while staying independent.”

This follows Virtuos acquiring Kyiv's Volmi Games and animation firm CounterPunch Studios, as well as setting up a new studio in Lyon.