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Former Ubisoft devs team up for new Canadian studio, Beans

"Beans is a new-age interactive media ensemble specialising in the creation of modern computer entertainment."

Former Ubisoft developers Gabriela Salvatore and Dean Evans have partnered up for a new venture called Beans.

Yes, Beans. Like the vegetable you buy in cans, but only when they're drowning in tomato sauce, of course.

Based in Toronto, Canada, the new studio is already hard at work on an unannounced project which, we found out yesterday, will be published by Devolver Digital. It's currently hiring, too, but even if you're not looking for a new job, head on over to Beans' website anyway, because it might just be the best thing I've seen - and heard - all day.

"Beans is a new-age interactive media ensemble specialising in the creation of modern computer entertainment located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada," the website says (when I stop singing along long enough to read it). "We're currently working on an unannounced new IP with the help of our friends at Devolver Digital."

As our pals at GamesIndustry.biz report, Salvatore worked at Ubisoft for four years, but left in 2016 after working as a game designer on Far Cry 5 and Primal, motion capture production on For Honor, and story consultant on Starlink: Battle for Atlus.

Evans - who was at Ubisoft for 12 years before leaving in 2018 - also worked on Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon as creative director.

"A lot of people have been complaining about the AAA business and the lack of risk-taking, that I'd be a total fucking hypocrite if I moved forward and didn't take any risks," Evans said when they left the publisher/developer. "So fuck it, I think I might go out and set up my own studio and see where that goes."

I can safely confirm that yes, the entire version of You Better Be Startin' Something is available for your listening pleasure and yes, it's looped. You're welcome.

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