A Message to the Reflector Community

A Message to the Reflector Community

Reflector Community,

A few moments ago, we informed our team that we are refocusing our efforts as we enter a new phase of development. The changes resulting from this transition are necessary for us to efficiently deliver on our most pressing objectives while guaranteeing that every member of our team can meaningfully contribute to our ongoing projects.

In the spirit of full transparency, we want to share what this means for our colleagues, our games, the worlds our products unfold in, as well as what everyone can expect moving forward.

For most of our studio’s history, we have been fortunate enough not to have to make changes like this. Today’s announcement isn’t driven by commercial success or external pressures, but stems instead from our current reality, which is that at this time, we cannot guarantee tangible work for all of the talented individuals we employ.

With the recent release of Unknown 9: Awakening and our two key production lines entering the early stages of development, we must make sure that our staff is laser-focused on contributing to the projects that wholly benefit from their skillsets.

As such, we are reducing our team by approximately 18% of Reflector’s total workforce, a decision that impacts people who aren’t assigned to roles that our active projects require.

This change affects our colleagues, our friends, and their families, and we are doing all that we can to help them through this difficult time, providing them with severance packages as well as access to medical, emotional, and career planning support.

We know that the community we’ve built over the years cares deeply about the people who bring our games to life. Our goal is to assist the affected individuals with the respect and support they deserve.

As you can imagine, this is a trying time for us all, but we are committed to learning from this experience.

The Road Ahead

This shift will allow us to take the necessary time to refine our processes and perfect our upcoming projects so that we can deliver experiences that are both meaningful and memorable for players.

While change is never easy, it allows for meaningful reflection. We’ve learned a lot from our journey so far, including the challenges that come with growth. As we move forward, we are committed to applying these lessons to build a stronger, more focused future.

We are grateful for your ongoing support. Your interest keeps us grounded and reminds us why we do what we do.

Thank you for being part of our community.

 

Going Beyond Gaming with the Unknown 9 Experience  

Going Beyond Gaming with the Unknown 9 Experience  

Those of us who work at Reflector Entertainment like to think of our studio as more than a Montreal-based video game development company. We consider ourselves universe builders who create entertainment experiences that extend beyond the world of gaming!

Yes, we’re on the brink of delivering our very first action-adventure game on October 18, 2024, but did you know that Unknown 9: Awakening is one of many stories belonging to a sprawling transmedia experience?

Check out our Narrative Universe Trailer in which video game heroine Haroona gives a nod to Unknown 9’s other Quaestors who, just like her, are brave enough to Step into the unknown to unearth answers to humankind’s most obscure mysteries.

Reflector Entertainment’s Transmedia Recipe

Transmedia is a storytelling approach that takes a single story and tells it across different media formats and platforms. Each part of the story (including the format in which it unfolds) makes a unique contribution to the overall entertainment experience.

Unknown 9’s transmedia recipe involves many different stories told across a variety of entertainment mediums, all of which unfold within a single narrative universe. Each adventure can be enjoyed on its own, but consuming them all reveals an overarching tale...a larger narrative that links Unknown 9’s events, people, and phenomena together.

Unknown 9: Out of Sight, Unknown 9: Torment, and Unknown 9: Genesis characters.

Connecting the Dots

The characters our stories follow (known as Quaestors) come from different places, backgrounds, even eras, but share similar goals that require them to unearth forgotten truths about our collective past and present, as well as their impact on our future.

Not only do these characters’ journeys expose them to a mysterious dimension called the Fold, but their quests also launch them on a collision course with powerful secret societies whose century-old feud find its way into every Unknown 9 story. What’s more, much of the hidden knowledge being sought out is said to be guarded by the infamous Unknown 9, who choose to reveal themselves in subtle ways across each adventure.

These are just a few of the narrative threads woven into each Unknown 9 tale. The more adventures you follow, the more links, crossovers, and Easter eggs there are to discover, and the more likely you are to revisit a product to confirm the connections you make.

The end result is an ongoing entertainment experience that not only expands with every new story added, but one that can be revisited again and again.

An illustration of a young Haroona fleeing a street gang, as depicted in the Unknown 9: Echoes comic book.

What’s your entry point into the Unknown 9 universe?

The events of the Unknown 9: Awakening video game are the first to unfold within the narrative universe, making it a great gateway into the world of Unknown 9.

Those who begin their journey with the video game will get to extend their Unknown 9 experience through the many overlapping themes, character crossovers, lore links, and interconnections embedded within the universe’s other adventures!

That said, with one month to go until Awakening’s release on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, there’s no better time to dive into the stories out now. And the best part is that most are available for free!

Visit Unknown9.com to get a feel for Reflector’s unique storytelling approach. Check out Issue #1 of the Unknown 9: Torment comics, Season 1 of the Unknown 9: Out of Sight podcast, and the first two installments of the Unknown 9: Genesis trilogy to start putting the pieces of a larger narrative puzzle together!

Spoiler alert: Many of these adventures will continue to evolve, and brand-new ones are slated for release later this fall. Keep your eyes peeled for updates coming soon!

If you prefer sticking to a chronological order of events, check out the free single-issue comic book, Unknown 9: Echoes—a prelude that was written, drawn, and designed by awesome Reflectorian creators!

Unknown 9: Awakening Releases Worldwide on October 18

Unknown 9: Awakening Releases Worldwide on October 18

Reflector Entertainment and Bandai Namco Europe announce Unknown 9: Awakening’s release date alongside a Live-Action Trailer today at Gamescom.

Exciting news! Unknown 9: Awakening officially launches on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam on October 18, 2024, with pre-orders available now. The announcement marks yet another major milestone in our video game studio’s history.

Here’s a recap of everything that was revealed today!

Unknown 9: Awakening’s new Live-Action Trailer

Anya Chalotra takes centre stage once again in the latest trailer, which premiered today during Opening Night Live. It underscores heroine Haroona’s readiness to awaken her powers and embark on her quest into the unknown. It also offers a preview of the video game’s official theme song, A Light Lies Within, which pays homage to our protagonist’s journey to Umbric greatness!

Pre-orders now open

As of today, players can pre-order the various editions of the game and score a bonus cosmetic DLC pack. Depending on the edition selected, it’s also possible to unlock up to three additional cosmetic DLCs as well as collectors’ items!  

Unknown 9: Awakening Video Game Editions and Cosmetic DLCs.

Players can choose from the following editions:

  1. Pre-Order Edition:
    • Includes the base game and a pre-order bonus cosmetic DLC.

  2. Deluxe Digital Edition:
    • Includes the base game, pre-order bonus, as well as three additional DLCs.

  3. Collector's Edition:
    • Includes the base game, pre-order bonus cosmetic DLC, and collector’s items.

The Collector’s Edition, which is exclusively sold in the Bandai Namco Store, includes replicas of Reika’s amulet, a LYS membership coin, a Quaestor’s journal containing exclusive artwork along with hidden links to the larger Unknown 9 universe, and more!  

For additional information about preorders and DLCs as well as the latest Unknown 9: Awakening developments, head over to the official game page! Those curious about what the rest of our narrative universe has to offer, be sure to visit Unknown9.com.  

Join our next major production!

As Unknown 9: Awakening’s release date looms closer, our Montreal-based team is hard at work developing the next major Reflector x Bandai Namco project.

If contributing to the expansion of a beloved IP sounds interesting to you, check out our open positions and apply today!

Unknown 9: Awakening’s New Trailer Thickens the Plot

Unknown 9: Awakening’s New Trailer Thickens the Plot

Reflector and Bandai Namco Europe reveal Unknown 9: Awakening Story Trailer at Summer Game Fest.

A loved one lost, a former pupil gone rogue, and new motives exposed—these are just a few of the details brought to light in the trailer that premiered today.

If you missed our appearance at Summer Game Fest, here’s what you need to know about the latest narrative details revealed about Unknown 9: Awakening.

A closer look at Unknown 9: Awakening

Set to release this fall, the game centres on Haroona, a tenacious young woman seeking revenge upon those who’ve done her wrong. Played by Anya Chalotra, Haroona isn’t your average adventurer. As curious as she is resourceful, her connection to the Fold gifts her incredible powers (Umbric abilities) that players can wield against whoever stands in their way.

While those who caught the Announcement Trailer premiere in March got a peek at some of the gameplay, Awakening’s Story Trailer dives deeper into the game’s narrative elements.

Viewers will discover Haroona’s motivations, spot new characters, and glean additional intel on the enigmatic figures at the heart of our universe’s many adventures—the Unknown 9.

Meet the Quaestors

Quaestors are Unknown 9’s resident truth seekers. They’re the ones that venture into the depths of the unknown to unearth lost wisdom. Though several Quaestors make cameos in the Story Trailer, two in particular have greatly impacted Haroona’s life, and will inevitably drive the player experience.

Haroona’s mentor, Reika, smiles at her.

Reika, our protagonist’s beloved mentor, possesses an unmatched mastery of the Fold. Her Umbric gifts and worldly wisdom have shaped Haroona into the powerful Quaestor she is today.

The game’s main antagonist, Vincent Lichter, is the Ascendants' leader and a former pupil of Reika’s. His growing frustrations about her blind faith in the 9 coupled with a momentous Fold discovery he made has caused him to reject her teachings. Believing that humankind should take back control of its own destiny, he’s rallied his loyal followers together to expose age-old secrets that threaten to usher in a new, more chaotic, world order.

When his and Reika’s paths cross, he swiftly takes her down in the name of his cause. This devastating loss is what sets in motion Haroona’s revenge mission.

The History of the Unknown 9

Reika explains how these enigmatic figures once belonged to an ancient civilization called the Sahin, an advanced society wiped from the face of the earth many millennia ago. During its fall, nine of its members were made immortal and entrusted with protecting all of humanity’s knowledge. They’ve since watched over us for centuries, acting on the powerful wisdom they guard at specific moments in time to guide us in the right direction.  

Nine hooded figures etched into a cave wall.

Platform and wish list details

Unknown 9: Awakening releases in the fall of 2024 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox one, Xbox series X|S and PC via Steam. Players can add the game to their wish lists on all major platforms.

For the latest developments on all things Unknown 9: Awakening, visit Unknown9.com and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. And don’t forget to join the conversation on X and our official Discord channel!

If you’d like to contribute to the next major Reflector Entertainment x Bandai Namco project, good news! We’re looking for talented individuals with game development experience to join our Montreal video game studio.

Interested in working on the expansion of a popular BandaiNamco IP? View our open positions and apply today!

Reflector Reveals Unknown 9: Awakening’s First Gameplay

Reflector Reveals Unknown 9: Awakening’s First Gameplay

Our first video game, starring Anya Chalotra, will be released this summer!

Reflector and Bandai Namco Europe Unveiled a First Look at Unknown 9: Awakening

Highlights of this preview included first gameplay, the reveal of a famous protagonist, and a Summer 2024 release for the third-person action-adventure title, which is the cornerstone of our new IP, Unknown 9.

Our teams have been hard at work bringing the studio’s first video game and larger narrative universe to life. This upcoming release represents an important milestone for our Montreal-based studio, which was acquired by Bandai Namco Europe in 2020 as part of its strategy to expand the group’s Western content. Reflector has since pursued its mission to build narrative universes spanning multiple media for Unknown 9 in a way that would expose its products and experiences to a global audience.

“We're thrilled to announce the game’s upcoming release! Thanks to our dedicated team and the unwavering support of Bandai Namco Europe, our vision has become a reality, and this is just the beginning” said Marc André Séguin, General Manager at Reflector Entertainment. “We're eager to share this IP, its narrative universe, and the many adventures that unfold within it with players.”

Presenting Unknown 9: Awakening

Unknown 9: Awakening follows the story of Haroona, a Quaestor born with the ability to venture into the Fold: a mysterious dimension that overlaps our own. On her quest for powerful hidden knowledge, she will learn to master her unique connection to the Fold, which allows her to channel its powers into our world…but such power does not go unnoticed. Haroona quickly becomes the target of the Ascendants, a splinter faction of a secret society known as the Leap Year Society, who want to use the Fold to alter the course of human history. 

Players take on the role of Haroona, who embarks on a globetrotting journey to right the wrongs of her past. They will peer into the depths of the Fold to uncover long-lost knowledge and use its potent energy to save humanity from destruction. As this quest unfolds, players will Step into their enemies to control them, dodge bullets, shield attacks, hurl energy, and devise creative combat combinations to customize their play style.

“I've witnessed the remarkable commitment and creativity of all those who have worked on the game and the larger universe that it’s set in", said Christophe Rossignol, Creative Director of Unknown 9: Awakening. "It's been a collaborative effort and together, we've crafted something truly special. I cannot wait for players to embark on this adventure with us and see what we have in store for them.”

The latest trailer also revealed Reflector’s collaboration with the talented Anya Chalotra, who portrays Haroona, the game’s audacious main protagonist. The actress’ knack for bringing strong female characters to life made her an obvious choice when it came to casting Unknown 9: Awakening’s lead character.

Unknown 9: Awakening: the gateway into a larger universe

The video game is the key entry point into the Unknown 9 IP’s expansive narrative universe, which includes a series of interconnected adventures told across comic books, podcasts, novels, and more. Fans of the video game will be able to extend their experience by consuming these tales.

Unknown 9: Awakening will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, and on PC via Steam in the summer of 2024. Starting today, players can add the video game to their wish list on platforms where the game will be available.

For more information on the video game, please visit the official website or follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Join the conversation on X and on Discord.

8 Reasons to Work with Us

8 Reasons to Work with Us

 

In an industry where demand for top talent keeps increasing, it’s our challenge to recruit and retain the creative minds that will help our video game studio flourish…and we love a good challenge. 

At Reflector Entertainment, we’ve set out to create the best possible workplace for our people. We’re talking great employee healthcare benefits, career development opportunities, and policies that prioritise work-family balance.  

If you’re looking to join a passionate, empowered team and contribute to ambitious company projects, here's why you should start the next chapter of your career at Reflector. 

1. Support from the world-renowned Bandai Namco Group 

In 2020, Reflector joined Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, part of the publishing group behind blockbuster titles such as Pac-Man, Elden Ring, Armored Core, and more. This partnership ensures we have the resources to pursue our long-term gaming and transmedia ambitions–and means you do, too. 

So, while we’re still a Montreal company at heart, we’ve got an international reputation. A job here launches you into the worldwide game development community and gives you the opportunity to craft epic entertainment experiences for a global audience. The sky’s the limit! 

2. Creative challenges and teamwork 

When you’re building extraordinary narrative universes shared through multiple media on numerous platforms, innovation is the quotidian. Every day at Reflector brings new puzzles for your team to solve. Whether you’re tackling technical challenges, developing novel approaches to storytelling, or testing out new workflows, opportunities for personal growth and creative accomplishment abound.  

3. Employee flexibility 

Our facilities are located in the heart of downtown Montreal, are equipped with ergonomic workstations and top-of-the-line equipment, and are filled with cool people to talk to…but we understand that coming into the office five times a week can be tricky. Thanks to our hybrid work policy and flexible hours, you can work from home on the days when it just makes more sense. 

Employee well-being is top of mind for us, and we know that work-life balance helps creative souls thrive. Whether you prefer the office or the comfort of your home, if it helps you do your best work, we’re here for it.  

4. Career advancement opportunities 

When we invest in your future, we’re investing in ours. That’s why talent development is a key part of the Reflectorian experience. We devote time and resources to helping our team members level up their skills, feel empowered in their abilities, and meet professional goals. Your manager will serve as your coach and biggest ally in making it happen.  

5. Exceptional work-life balance 

When you work hard, you know the value of a good day off. Or thirteen. In December, Reflector celebrates the festive season with two weeks of paid leave to spend with loved ones–without impacting your already accumulated vacation days. We also top up five annual bank holidays, turning Easter, Fête Nationale du Québec, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving  into four-day long weekends! 

Plus, flexible summer Fridays means more time to spend on Montreal’s many terrasses. It’s enough to recharge your batteries on a regular basis. 

6. Top-tier benefits 

Reflector Entertainment sets itself apart by offering great health benefits, which we finance at 80%. Our comprehensive health insurance policy covers dental, medical, paramedical care, and for anything not covered, an additional health management account can drastically reduce costs. 

What's more, thanks to a partnership with the Dialogue telemedicine platform, our employees and their families benefit from convenient online medical consultations paid for by Reflector. We pay particular attention to mental health on the job, offering 100%-paid access to stress management resources and programs. 

The cherry on top? Personal days that start when you do and unlimited sick days. 

7. Diversity, inclusion, and respect 

Collective success means everyone feels included and respected. Our employees hail from not just Montreal, Quebec, or Canada, but all over the world, bringing a wealth of perspectives and cultures to the table. We value creating an inclusive workplace that adds to much-needed diversity in video games, one where everyone has the space to put themselves forward authentically. 

To support this aim, an employee-led committee for diversity and inclusion in the workplace organizes webinars, forums, and other exchanges that celebrate both our individual differences and the aspects that unite us (like our love of gaming!) 

8. Quality team-building experiences 

Beyond the all-important healthy, inclusive work environment, we think quality time spent together is a vital part of any team’s success. Our busy Engagement Committee gives us ample opportunity to strengthen bonds within and across our departments, planning all kinds of events tailored to the many interests of our Montreal team members. 

From lunches and game nights to happy hours and themed parties, you’ll have a ton of opportunities to mingle with programmers, artists, developers, level designers, and management. Fun is part of the job. 

Want to work with folks who share your passion for game development, storytelling, or worldbuilding? Make Reflector your next move by checking out our current career opportunities.