UK games tech startup Improbable to build new office in Edmonton

U.K.-based Improbable’s decision to establish its first Canadian office in Edmonton represented international investment in Alberta’s game-development sector and created new local technology jobs. The company selected Edmonton specifically for its experienced game-development workforce and the pipeline of new developers coming from Alberta post-secondary institutions. The office was led by former BioWare general manager Aaryn Flynn, with former BioWare developer Neil Thompson joining as senior development lead. The Edmonton team was focused on Improbable’s SpatialOS technology, a platform designed to support large and complex online game worlds. The expansion demonstrated how expertise developed through BioWare and Alberta’s education system could attract international game-technology companies to the province. It also broadened Edmonton’s industry beyond traditional game studios by adding development of technology and tools intended for use by game creators internationally.