Velan Studios, the developer behind Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, has established a new office in Toronto

Velan Studios has inaugurated a new branch in Toronto, Canada, marking its first expansion into the country. Positioned in the city’s Downtown area, this office will be instrumental in pursuing the creation of new self-published games and collaborating with established industry properties. Additionally, Velan has joined the Ontario Interactive industry group, a non-profit organization.

Karthik Bala, who serves as the studio's CEO and co-founder, stated, "Our aim at Velan has always been to craft extraordinary games that appear magical and offer unexpected joy to players. As our footprint expands, we are eager to embed this philosophy within our Toronto operations, teaming up with local developers characterized by curiosity, deliberation, and a passion for creating unique player experiences."

Currently, Velan is on the lookout for talent for hybrid roles, entailing three days a week of in-office presence, as well as positions based both in their new office in Toronto and at the main office in Troy, New York. Opportunities available now include roles such as senior gameplay animator, art director, senior technical artist, studio art manager, senior systems designer, senior combat designer, and senior level designer, with further vacancies to be announced soon.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her support, stating, "As a global center for digital media and game development, Toronto thrives on its unmatched talent and creativity. We are pleased to welcome Velan Studios here, supporting their innovative game creation, job generation, and the growth of our interactive entertainment industry."

Established in 2016 by the visionaries behind Vicarious Visions, Guha and Karthik Bala, Velan Studios has made significant strides in gaming. Despite the online game "Knockout City" ceasing operations in June 2023—two years after its debut—discussions with co-founder Guha Bala revealed aspirations for a follow-up.

Furthermore, amidst a reorganization phase in 2024 due to a canceled external project, the company indicated that 46 employees might face layoffs, underscoring their ongoing efforts to navigate operational adjustments.