What Reflector Entertainment does

Reflector Entertainment Ltd. (Divertissement Reflector Ltée) is a Montreal-based video game development studio founded in 2016 and acquired by Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe in fall 2020, making it the first Bandai Namco-owned studio in North America. The studio develops narrative-driven, third-person action-adventure games and operates a transmedia creative approach in which a single narrative universe is expressed across multiple formats. Its debut product, Unknown 9: Awakening, was released worldwide on October 18, 2024 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The game centers on protagonist Haroona, a Quaestor with "Stepping" abilities to traverse a dimension called the Fold and project "Umbric" energy, anchoring the combat system. The Unknown 9 IP extends beyond the game into podcasts (Unknown 9: Out of Sight), comic books (Unknown 9: Torment, Unknown 9: Echoes), a novel trilogy (Unknown 9: Genesis), and a web series, with each medium positioned as an independent entry point into the shared narrative.

The studio's core technology is its proprietary transmedia narrative framework and the Umbric/Stepping combat system, with development supported by Bandai Namco's global publishing infrastructure. Revenue flows primarily through Bandai Namco as publisher and distributor across PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, and physical retail; the Collector Edition was exclusive to the Bandai Namco store. Pricing across Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Collector editions is set by the publisher and not publicly disclosed by Reflector. Many transmedia assets (podcasts, comics, web series) are distributed free as ecosystem entry points. The studio's primary customers are global video game consumers on console and PC, with the parent publisher Bandai Namco serving as the de facto B2B channel partner.

Reflector operated with a team of 140+ employees as of October 2022 and reduced headcount by approximately 18% in November 2024 following the launch of Unknown 9: Awakening, leaving the studio at roughly 115 people. It maintains a single Montreal headquarters at 1100 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal, serves customers globally, and — in addition to the Unknown 9 franchise — is developing a new game for an undisclosed established Bandai Namco intellectual property. Leadership includes CEO Hervé Hoerdt, General Manager Marc-André Séguin, Creative Director Christophe Rossignol, and Director of Talent and Culture Émilie Constantineau.

Name

Reflector Entertainment

Legal name

Reflector Entertainment Ltd.

Website

https://reflectorentertainment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Reflector Entertainment is a Montreal-based, Bandai Namco-owned video game studio that develops narrative-driven action-adventure games and transmedia IP, with its debut title Unknown 9: Awakening released in October 2024 across console and PC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Video Game Sales: Reflector Entertainment generates revenue through the sale of its video games. Unknown 9: Awakening was released on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The game was available in Standard Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and Collector Edition, with pre-order bonuses and downloadable cosmetic content (DLC). Bandai Namco Europe acts as the publisher and handles distribution.
2. Transmedia Content Revenue: The broader Unknown 9 intellectual property generates revenue across multiple media formats including podcasts (Unknown 9: Out of Sight), comic books (Unknown 9: Torment, Unknown 9: Echoes), and a novel trilogy (Unknown 9: Genesis), with many of these content pieces offered for free to expand the universe and drive engagement with the core video game.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Reflector Entertainment is a Montreal-based video game development studio that creates narrative-driven action-adventure games anchored to a transmedia intellectual property. Their flagship title, Unknown 9: Awakening, is a third-person action-adventure game released on October 18, 2024 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and serves as the primary entry point into the broader Unknown 9 universe, which spans podcasts, comic books, novels, and web series. The studio develops and self-publishes its own IPs while also developing games for established Bandai Namco franchises under its parent company.

Product overview

Reflector Entertainment is a Montreal-based video game development studio founded in 2016 and acquired by Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe in 2020. The company specializes in narrative-driven action-adventure games and transmedia storytelling. Its portfolio includes the launched title Unknown 9: Awakening (October 2024), a third-person action-adventure game that is the anchor of the Unknown 9 transmedia universe, which encompasses stories told across podcasts, comics, novels, and web series. The studio is additionally developing a new experience for an established Bandai Namco intellectual property.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Unknown 9: Awakening Reflector Entertainment's debut narrative-driven third-person action-adventure video game in which players control Haroona, a Quaestor with powers derived from the Fold (a parallel dimension). Combat is built around Umbric abilities including body-swapping (Stepping), energy projection, and shielding. The game is sold to consumers in Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Collector Editions on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Unknown 9: Awakening released on October 18, 2024 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms as Reflector's first shipped video game.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Anya ChalotraminorOthers · 1 October 2024Anya Chalotra, known for her role in The Witcher, portrays Haroona, the protagonist of Unknown 9: Awakening, in her first video game role. Her involvement brought strong creative talent to the project, enhancing the game's market appeal and narrative credibility.
• BANKS (Singer-Songwriter)minorOthers · 1 October 2024American singer-songwriter BANKS co-produced the official theme song for Unknown 9: Awakening, titled 'A Light Lies Within,' in collaboration with Reflector's audio and narrative teams. The track is available on major music streaming platforms and is featured on the game's official soundtrack.
• Dialogue (Telemedicine Platform)minorOthers · 1 January 2024Reflector Entertainment provides its employees and their families with access to Dialogue, a telemedicine platform that offers online medical consultations paid for by the company. This partnership is part of Reflector's employee benefits package aimed at supporting workforce well-being.
• Bandai Namco Entertainment EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020Reflector Entertainment was acquired by Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe in the fall of 2020, making Reflector the first Bandai Namco-owned studio in North America. This acquisition was part of Bandai Namco's strategy to expand its Western content development capabilities. Reflector retains its independent studio spirit and creative autonomy while benefiting from Bandai Namco's financial resources, technical support, and global publishing reach. Reflector is developing a new game for a popular Bandai Namco IP in addition to its own Unknown 9 property. Reflector's work is published alongside Bandai Namco titles such as Dragon Ball, Elden Ring, Tekken, Pac-Man, Little Nightmares, and Dark Souls.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Behaviour Interactive: Behaviour Interactive is one of Canada's largest independent game studios, headquartered in Montreal and known for Dead by Daylight. Comparable as a Montreal-headquartered game studio operating at scale, though more independent and focused on multiplayer/horror versus Reflector's narrative single-player focus.

Direct peers

• Eidos Montreal: Eidos Montreal is a Square Enix-owned AAA game studio in Montreal known for narrative-driven action-adventure franchises (Deus Ex, Shadow of the Tomb Raider). Closely comparable to Reflector in location, publisher-backed structure, and narrative action-adventure focus.
• Supergiant Games: Supergiant Games is an independent San Francisco-based studio known for critically acclaimed narrative action-adventure games (Bastion, Hades). Comparable as a creator of stylized narrative action-adventure titles with strong IP ownership, though operating independently rather than within a publisher.
• Crystal Dynamics: Crystal Dynamics is a developer of narrative action-adventure franchises (Tomb Raider, Marvel's Avengers), now operating under Embracer Group following its separation from Square Enix. Comparable on genre (third-person narrative action-adventure) and on operating within a larger publisher portfolio.
• Hangar 13: Hangar 13 is a 2K Games-owned narrative action-adventure studio (Mafia franchise) operating across multiple locations. Comparable to Reflector as a publisher-owned narrative action-adventure developer building transmedia-friendly open-world IPs.
• WB Games Montréal: WB Games Montréal is Warner Bros. Discovery's Montreal game development studio, working on AAA action-adventure titles (Batman: Arkham, Gotham Knights). Same geography, same publisher-owned structure, same narrative action-adventure category as Reflector.
• Haven Studios: Haven Studios is a Montreal-based narrative game developer owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment (acquired 2022). It is the most direct peer to Reflector: a Western-owned narrative studio within a major Japanese/Western publisher portfolio, located in Montreal, focused on original action-adventure IP.
• Blue Tongue Entertainment: Blue Tongue Entertainment is an Australian game studio owned by Bandai Namco, comparable to Reflector as a fellow wholly-owned Bandai Namco subsidiary working on multiple projects. Useful as a like-for-like corporate structure comparison within the same parent group.

Emerging players

• Firewalk Studios: Firewalk Studios is a Sony-owned AAA game studio developing original multiplayer IPs (Concord). Comparable as a recently acquired Western studio operating under a major Japanese-owned publisher with original-IP mandate, similar in structure to Reflector though focused on multiplayer rather than narrative single-player.

Broad incumbents

• Ubisoft Montréal: Ubisoft Montréal is the flagship Canadian studio of Ubisoft and a major AAA action-adventure developer (Assassin's Creed, Far Cry). Functions as a broad incumbent comparable on location, scale, narrative action-adventure genre, and publisher-owned operating model — though materially larger than Reflector.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/reflectorentertainment
• Facebookfacebook.com/reflectorent
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reflector-entertainment
• Instagraminstagram.com/reflectorentertainment
• Xx.com/reflector

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Reflector Entertainment