Funcom has announced it will open a new development studio in Montreal.

Headed up by Ole Schreiner, he said he hopes to tap into the videogame development talent offered in Quebec.

Montreal has established itself as one of the world’s most important locations for videogame production, and we are looking forward to taking part in that success," commented Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas.

"In addition to strengthening our North American presence, the new studio will take advantage of the great incentive programs offered by the Quebec region, incentives that makes Montreal one of the most cost effective locations in the world for developing MMO games. This will in turn allow us to better balance our costs, making it possible for us to continue to expand our investments into the MMO segment."

Development of a number of titles will be handled in Montreal, including Age Of Conan expansion pack Rise Of The Godslayer and new MMO The Secret World.

Funcom currently employs over 320 people in Norway, the US, China and Switzerland. Founded in 1993, the firm is perhaps best known for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, which shipped more than 1.2 million copies.