Creating a game and building a studio are two entirely different challenges.

When launching a studio, attention naturally focuses on the game itself: developing a prototype, securing funding, or making the first hire. At the same time, founders must establish the foundations of the business and make decisions about its legal structure, intellectual property, contracts, taxation, production, and commercialization.

The information needed to move forward already exists, but it is scattered across government agencies, funding programs, legal resources, industry experts, and various industry sources. The real challenge is often knowing where to start, understanding what actually applies to a video game studio operating in Quebec, and identifying the decisions that need to be made at each stage of development.

This toolkit was created to provide that starting point.

It brings together key entrepreneurial resources for building and growing a studio, placing them within the practical realities of the video game industry in Quebec and Canada. The goal is not to cover every subject in detail, but to help studio leaders understand what starting a business involves, recognize important decisions, and take action with a stronger foundation.

Each topic aims to answer a few straightforward questions:

• What are the fundamentals of establishing a video game studio?
• What decisions need to be made?
• What actions can be taken now?
• What common mistakes should be avoided, and what risks should be considered?
• What documents, information, or supporting records should be maintained?
• When is it appropriate to consult a specialist?

This toolkit can help studios prepare for their next stage of development or address a specific challenge. A team might use it before incorporating, while applying for funding, when establishing its first contracts, or several years later when a new need arises.

Of course, this resource does not replace the expertise of a lawyer, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), tax advisor, Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), or another qualified specialist. Rather, it helps studios anticipate upcoming steps, ask the right questions, and identify situations that require professional guidance.

There is no need to read everything from start to finish. The purpose is to provide Quebec video game studios with a practical, centralized reference they can turn to when making informed business decisions throughout their development.