Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Beenox

Beenox Inc. is a Canadian studio founded in May 2000 and headquartered in , . The company specializes in creating high-quality ports, co-developing multiplayer components, and contributing to major franchises, with a strong focus on the Call of Duty series since its acquisition by . In 2023, Beenox expanded by opening a second office in to support its growing team and projects. Originally established as an studio, Beenox began by developing smaller titles such as Pillars of Garendall in before shifting toward licensed properties and ports for major publishers. On May 25, 2005, acquired Beenox as a wholly owned , integrating it into its network of studios and enabling the company to scale its operations for next-generation consoles and PC platforms. This acquisition positioned Beenox as a key player in 's development pipeline, particularly for optimizing and enhancing PC versions of flagship titles. Beenox has contributed to over 50 games, including notable developments like the PC edition of : Black Ops 4 (2018), co-development of : Modern Warfare III (2023), the PC version of : Black Ops 6 (2024), and remasters such as : Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020). The studio also handled ports for popular series beyond , such as (2019). With a team of over 450 members as of 2025, Beenox emphasizes collaborative craftsmanship, diversity, and community involvement through initiatives like Extra Life for children's hospitals.

Overview

Founding and Early Focus

Beenox was established in May 2000 by Dominique Brown in , , , initially concentrating on the development of video games for Apple Macintosh platforms. At the age of 21, Brown launched the studio from his apartment with a modest team of six employees, self-financing operations after facing significant hurdles in obtaining traditional bank loans due to his youth and limited capital. The company's early efforts centered on creating original titles for the amid the constraints of a , where funding challenges and limited distribution channels posed ongoing obstacles to growth. By the early , Beenox had transitioned toward work, leveraging its technical skills to adapt console games for PC and systems, which became a core strength during its independent years. The studio operated on a small scale with a focus on specialized expertise until its acquisition by in 2005.

Acquisition and Expansion

On May 25, 2005, acquired Beenox, transforming it into a wholly owned to establish a stronger development presence in , . This move aimed to enhance 's internal capabilities for games across multiple platforms and providing ongoing support services. Beenox continued operations from its facilities, focusing on technical expertise to aid 's multi-platform releases. In March 2022, Beenox announced plans to open a second office in , which was officially inaugurated in 2023, representing a key expansion milestone. This development increased the studio's workforce by more than 20%, adding approximately 100 employees to the location alone. As of 2023, following the office inauguration, Beenox employed over 500 professionals. The studio was impacted by Activision's layoffs in January 2024, with the workforce standing at approximately 450 as of 2025. Today, Beenox maintains a dual-location structure with its headquarters in Quebec City—established since the studio's founding in 2000—and the Montreal office serving as a creative hub. This setup supports Activision's global projects, emphasizing collaboration and talent recruitment across both sites.

History

Pre-Acquisition Period (2000–2005)

Beenox was founded in May 2000 by Dominique Brown in Quebec City, Canada, with an initial team of six members drawn from his previous employer, MegaToon Studios. The studio, led by the self-taught Brown who had no prior industry experience, aimed to develop original games for PC and consoles while leveraging expertise in digital animation and 3D rendering. Early operations emphasized innovative technology creation, but the limited video game ecosystem in Quebec City posed initial hurdles, requiring the young company to build its reputation through technical proficiency in cross-platform adaptations. Facing challenges in the niche gaming market, Beenox pivoted in 2002 by establishing the Beenox Shift division dedicated to services, expanding beyond original development to broader platforms including PC and OS. This strategic shift allowed the studio to secure initial contracts for converting major titles, such as the PC and versions of in 2003, helping to stabilize operations amid competitive pressures. By focusing on high-fidelity platform conversions, Beenox built a technical reputation for enabling simultaneous multiplatform releases, delivering over a dozen ports by 2005. The small, founder-led team in , which grew to 32 members by the time of its acquisition, fostered a culture centered on and skills, enabling efficient handling of complex tasks. Representative successes included collaborations on and ports, which highlighted the studio's growing expertise in adapting console experiences to PC. This period of independent operation culminated in the 2005 acquisition by , marking a significant turning point for the studio.

Integration with Activision (2005–2012)

Following its acquisition by on May 25, 2005, Beenox became a wholly owned , with its existing 32-person team based in continuing operations under the parent company's oversight. This integration enabled Beenox to deepen its role within Activision's development ecosystem, building on prior collaborations since 2003 for titles such as and . The studio's expertise in platform conversions positioned it to handle expanded porting duties for Activision's multi-platform releases, supporting the transition to next-generation consoles like the and PlayStation 3. By 2007, Beenox marked a return to original development under with , its first major in-house project, which adapted the film into an action-adventure title for , , , and PC platforms. This effort represented a strategic pivot from pure , allowing the studio to leverage 's licensed IP for full-scale productions while maintaining its multi-platform strengths. Subsequent originals, such as Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions in 2010 and in 2009, further demonstrated Beenox's growing capacity for lead development on console and PC titles. Operational changes during this period included substantial team expansion and increased specialization in co-development, enabling Beenox to contribute to Activision's broader portfolio of multi-platform games. In December 2012, Dominique Brown departed to pursue personal challenges, handing leadership to Sylvain Morel and Thomas Wilson. This transition emphasized continuity while redirecting the studio toward support roles for emerging franchises like and early entries.

Modern Era and Growth (2013–Present)

Following its integration into , Beenox shifted its focus in the post-2012 era toward co-developing major franchises, particularly contributing to the Call of Duty series and supporting the lineup. The studio handled the and versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops III in 2015, optimizing performance to target 30 frames per second on last-generation hardware alongside Mercenary Technology. For , Beenox developed the edition of Skylanders: Swap Force in 2013 and ported Skylanders: Trap Team to , , , and in 2014, ensuring cross-platform consistency using the Alchemy Engine. Key milestones marked Beenox's growth during this period, including its 20th anniversary in 2020, celebrated through reflections on its evolution from a small team to a key contributor, highlighted by awards such as Best Sports/Racing Game for in 2019. In 2025, for its 25th anniversary, Beenox updated its X (formerly ) profile banner to feature new artwork of in a kart styled after Crash 4: It's About Time, sparking speculation about a potential new project; the banner was later removed, fueling further industry buzz without official confirmation. The studio expanded its operations with a new Montreal office in 2022, increasing its capacity by over 20% to support larger-scale projects like titles and ambitious initiatives, with the office fully operational by 2023. This growth enabled contributions to mobile development, including work on released in 2024, where Beenox provided dedicated support alongside other studios. The team also handled next-generation ports and updates, such as modernizing Rebirth Island for in 2024. As of November 2025, Beenox remains an active support studio for under ownership following the 2023 acquisition, employing approximately 450 staff across its and locations, with ongoing involvement in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and franchise maintenance.

Games and Projects

Original Developments

Beenox's transition to original game development began in earnest after its acquisition by in 2005, with the studio leveraging its porting expertise to lead full-cycle projects starting in 2007. This shift marked a departure from its earlier focus on adaptations, enabling Beenox to handle design, art direction, and in-house for select titles. The studio's Beenox Score label, established in 2004 for originals, facilitated this evolution, allowing creative contributions beyond . The , released in 2007, served as Beenox's first major original development, a based on the film. Beenox led production for the , , and Windows versions, crafting an adrenaline-fueled experience involving racing, chasing, and flying sequences as protagonist Barry B. Benson. The project was completed in 18 months using entirely in-house technology, without external engines or middleware, highlighting the studio's growing capacity for self-sufficient creation. Collaborations were limited to other platforms handled by Smart Bomb Interactive and Vicarious Visions, with Beenox as the primary developer. This title demonstrated Beenox's ability to integrate licensed into engaging , setting the stage for more ambitious originals. In 2010, Beenox delivered : Shattered Dimensions, a multi-universe that represented its debut as lead developer on the franchise. The game featured four distinct , , , and 2099—each with unique abilities and art styles, navigating parallel dimensions to combat a common threat. Beenox's in-house team drove innovation, including dimension-specific like 's brawling and 2099's high-tech gadgets, while handling art direction for the varied visual identities and for seamless transitions between worlds. Drawing from lore under Activision's guidance, the studio enjoyed significant creative freedom, with senior producers shaping the narrative around concepts. No major external co-developers were involved, positioning Beenox as the core creative force. This project solidified the studio's reputation for narrative-driven action titles. The Amazing Spider-Man, launched in 2012, further showcased Beenox's prowess in open-world action, serving as a direct sequel to the film's events while expanding into original story content. As Peter Parker, players explored a detailed using the new "Web Rush" mechanic for dynamic swinging, targeting, and combat initiation in . Beenox led all aspects in-house, including systems for fluid traversal and enemy encounters, art for the bustling urban environment, and to support the expansive cityscape. The studio emphasized accessibility for newcomers alongside depth for fans, with minimal collaborations beyond platform-specific ports. This title highlighted Beenox's evolution toward immersive, player-driven experiences tied to blockbuster IP. Beenox's original developments culminated in the 2019 remake , a that revitalized the 1999 classic with modern enhancements. The studio rebuilt the core , preserving mechanics like power-sliding and item-based while adding online multiplayer and leaderboards for broader appeal. In-house efforts extended to art, with fully rigged character animations capturing expressive reactions, and 3D rendering that modernized tracks—adding details like interactive environments in levels such as Polar Pass—without altering original layouts. Beenox consulted Vicarious Visions for remastering best practices from the but retained primary ownership of the project. The game achieved major commercial success, surpassing 10 million units sold globally by 2025, underscoring Beenox's impact in remaking beloved franchises with fidelity and innovation. These projects illustrate Beenox's progression from porting support to primary creative leads, particularly post-2007, where in-house expertise in , , and rendering enabled high-profile successes like Nitro-Fueled's enduring popularity.

Ports and Co-Developments

Beenox's and co-development work has been a cornerstone of its contributions to the gaming industry, particularly after establishing its Beenox Shift division in 2004 dedicated to technical adaptations. Early efforts focused on bringing console titles to PC and platforms, leveraging the studio's expertise in cross-platform compatibility. For instance, in 2003, Beenox ported to Mac OS X, ensuring faithful recreation of the skateboarding mechanics and level designs from the console originals. Similarly, the studio handled the Mac port of : that same year, optimizing Core Design's adventure game for Apple's hardware while preserving its puzzle-solving and exploration elements. By 2007, Beenox extended this to PC ports, such as , where it adapted Treyarch's action-adventure title for Windows, incorporating web-slinging and open-world traversal suited to keyboard and mouse controls. In the mid-2000s and early , Beenox's portfolio expanded to include more complex console-to-PC adaptations and initial co-development roles within Activision's ecosystem. A notable example is the 2009 PC port of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, developed from Luxoflux's console versions, which involved reworking vehicle transformation mechanics and third-person shooting for PC audiences, including enhanced graphics options. This period marked Beenox's growing specialization in ensuring seamless cross-compatibility across hardware, often involving optimizations for varying input methods and performance profiles. Following Activision's acquisition in 2005, the studio began collaborating on major franchises, co-developing the and versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops III in 2015 alongside and Mercenary Technology; this effort focused on multiplayer and Zombies modes, adapting next-gen features like directional movement to last-gen hardware limitations. In 2018, Beenox co-developed the PC version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 with , emphasizing robust anti-cheat integration via and customizable graphics settings to elevate the and multiplayer experience on Windows. More recently, Beenox has emphasized mobile and multi-platform support, contributing to over 20 such projects overall and solidifying its role in PC, Mac, mobile, and console adaptations. The studio co-developed : Warzone Mobile in 2024 with Digital Legends Entertainment, Shanghai Studio, and others, tailoring the for and with cross-progression features linking to console and PC versions. For : Black Ops 6 in 2024, Beenox provided support development, including the collaborative creation of the Body mechanic tested in public betas, enhancing tactical multiplayer depth across platforms. Specializing in technical fidelity, Beenox's work has enabled broader accessibility for franchises like , with ports often featuring platform-specific enhancements such as improved frame rates and input responsiveness. In November 2025, the studio updated its social media banner with artwork depicting in a context, teasing potential co-development on a new racing title akin to its prior work on .

Cancelled Projects

Beenox's most notable cancelled project is The Vatz, an original third-person action-strategy game developed for PC and using the studio's in-house Goliath engine. Announced in April 2002 ahead of its debut at , the game was set in a post-apocalyptic world where players controlled mutants navigating horror-themed environments through puzzle-solving and role-playing elements. Development progressed to at least an October 2002 , but the project was ultimately cancelled due to a lack of interested publishers. Following Beenox's acquisition by in 2005 and a leadership change in December 2012, when founder Dominique Brown departed to pursue personal challenges, the studio shifted focus toward support roles, limiting opportunities for original developments. This transition contributed to the absence of further announced original projects, with limited information available on any internal halts tied to Activision's priorities. In November 2025, Beenox briefly updated its X (formerly ) banner to celebrate the studio's 25th anniversary, featuring previously unseen artwork of in a kart that appeared to hint at a new entry. The image, depicting Crash in a design reminiscent of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, was removed shortly after, replaced by a Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 promotion, leaving the project's status unconfirmed as of November 9, 2025.

References

  1. [1]
    Beenox Inc. - MobyGames
    Beenox, Inc., also known as Beenox Studios, is a game development studio founded in May 2000 and based in Quebec City, Canada.
  2. [2]
    Beenox inaugurates its Montreal office
    Beenox is a world-class video game development studio established in Quebec City since 2000, with an additional office in Montreal since 2023.
  3. [3]
    [PDF] A HISTORY OF GROWTH - Activision
    in January 2005, Toys For Bob, Inc. in April 2005 and Beenox, Inc. in. May 2005. We have development agreements with other top-level, third-party developers ...
  4. [4]
    Beenox Games - IGN
    Beenox Games ; Quantum of Solace. Sep 30, 2008 ; Bee Movie Game. Oct 30, 2007 ; Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. Oct 12, 2018 ; Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Nov 6, 2015.
  5. [5]
    Developed games - Beenox Studios - Giant Bomb
    Developed Games · Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile · Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III · Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 · Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II · Call of Duty: ...
  6. [6]
    Commitment - Beenox
    e. With more than $ 330,000 CAD raised, Beenox has been the leader of Extra Life in Quebec for many years now supporting local children's hospitals advancing ...
  7. [7]
    Aspyr Media Ships Wakeboarding Unleashed Featuring Shaun ...
    ... Beenox Inc. The game features groundbreaking ... Founded in 2000, Beenox Inc. is a rapidly ... MAC) and TONY HAWK'S PRO SKATER 3 (MAC). With its ...
  8. [8]
    Video game entrepreneur presses the right buttons
    Aug 18, 2010 · Dominique Brown, founder of video game company Beenox, based in Quebec City, and one of his company's creations.Missing: Mac | Show results with:Mac
  9. [9]
    Activision Acquires Beenox - Game Developer
    ... Beenox's extensive porting background will be a key component of our console transition strategy by allowing us to focus our resources on next-generation ...Missing: shift | Show results with:shift
  10. [10]
    Activision Establishes Development Foothold in Quebec With ...
    May 25, 2005 · Activision Establishes Development Foothold in Quebec With Acquisition of Beenox Studios. SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 25, 2005 /PRNewswire- ...
  11. [11]
    Beenox Continues its Growth by Opening a studio in Montréal
    Montréal, March 29, 2022 - Beenox, a development studio for Call of Duty® in Canada, will be expanding its footprint in Québec to include Montréal to support ...
  12. [12]
    Beenox continues its growth by opening a studio in Montréal
    Mar 29, 2022 · This recruiting investment will seek to increase Beenox's staff by more than 20% and is the Québec City-based studio's second major ...
  13. [13]
    Dominique Brown, 31, QUEBEC - The Globe and Mail
    Jun 4, 2010 · The result, Beenox, the video-game development studio, was started when Mr. Brown turned 21, with six staff. He was more than ready.Missing: history | Show results with:history
  14. [14]
    Beenox inc. » Company profiles »
    Beenox, a leader in the field of video game development, was founded by Dominique Brown, who hails from the Quebec City region. ... By 2000, Dominique had ...
  15. [15]
    E3: Beenox talks Mac game ports, original development | Macworld
    Quebec, Canada-based Beenox Studio has emerged as a rising star in the world of Mac game conversions in 2003. The company is working closely with Aspyr ...
  16. [16]
    Activision absorbs Beenox - GameSpot
    May 25, 2005 · Beenox's 32-person team will remain in Quebec City as a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision. Several members of Beenox's team have already ...Missing: size 2005-2012
  17. [17]
    Beenox Joins Activision Hive - IGN
    May 25, 2005 · Activision has bought Canadian developer Beenox, according to an announcement by the publisher today. Specializing in platform conversion ...
  18. [18]
    [PDF] GAME ON - Activision
    Beenox will focus its efforts on developing games for the next-generation consoles and PCs including titles based on our licensed movie-based and superhero ...
  19. [19]
    Bee Movie Game (Xbox 360) - Christ Centered Gamer
    Apr 11, 2013 · Bee Movie Game Developed By: Beenox Published By: Activision Released: October 30, 2007. Available On: PC, PS2, Wii, Xbox 360 (reviewed)
  20. [20]
  21. [21]
  22. [22]
    Beenox talks Skylanders on Wii, says it'll be "very, very close" to the ...
    Jul 1, 2013 · Beenox talks Skylanders on Wii, says it'll be “very, very close” to the other versions ... “Beenox has been able to use the Alchemy Engine that ...
  23. [23]
    Skylanders Trap Team coming Oct. 5 with a new twist and a new portal
    Apr 23, 2014 · ... Beenox and Toys For Bob are hoping to reinvent the toys-meet ... The game will eventually support 50 new Skylanders, including the ...<|separator|>
  24. [24]
  25. [25]
    Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile is Officially Live Worldwide – Play Now!
    Mar 21, 2024 · Call of Duty®: Warzone™ Mobile has arrived worldwide and is available now to download for free to play on iOS and Android. Prepare for launch ...
  26. [26]
    Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile to Launch Worldwide on March 21
    Feb 28, 2024 · This world-class, free-to-play Call of Duty title will be available worldwide on March 21st, 2024, on both iOS and Android.
  27. [27]
    Beenox Information - RocketReach
    Beenox is a Computer Games, Software General, and Animation company located in Quebec, CA with $72.5 million in revenue and 452 employees.Missing: size | Show results with:size
  28. [28]
    Beenox Celebrates the Launch of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
    A new world-class achievement for Beenox. Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 is now available worldwide! This brand-new chapter of the successful Call of Duty® ...
  29. [29]
    Activision's Beenox to create more original titles | GamesIndustry.biz
    Jan 3, 2008 · Bee Movie Game came together in 18 months, with the studio developing the game using all in-house technology rather than relying on any external ...
  30. [30]
    “I wish we could've made Shattered Dimensions 2”: Looking back at ...
    Sep 11, 2018 · “I wish we could've made Shattered Dimensions 2”: Looking back at Beenox's history of Spider-Man games with studio co-head Thomas Wilson.
  31. [31]
    NEW THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN GAMEPLAY DETAILS EMERGE
    Feb 7, 2012 · EGMnow spoke with developer Beenox who released more gameplay details for the Amazing Spider-Man videogame.
  32. [32]
    How Beenox is building "a love letter to the original Crash Team ...
    Apr 30, 2019 · We speak with developer Beenox about updating a beloved kart racing classic.
  33. [33]
    Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled sales top 10 million - Gematsu
    Jun 16, 2025 · Total sales for Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled have surpassed 10 million units, publisher Activision and developer Beenox announced.
  34. [34]
    Beenox Shift - MobyGames
    Beenox Shift, launched in March 2004, was the porting division of Beenox. The division kick-started its operations with the port of the well-known Tony Hawk's ...
  35. [35]
    Spider-Man 3 credits (Windows, 2007) - MobyGames
    The official game credits for Spider-Man 3 released on Windows in 2007. The credits include 667 people.Missing: ports | Show results with:ports<|separator|>
  36. [36]
    Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Releases - MobyGames
    Windows ; Ported by: Beenox Inc. ; Distributed by: Activision Blizzard France SAS ; Additional Graphics by: Bad Flip Productions, Gerald on Design Inc., Piranha ...
  37. [37]
    Call of Duty: Black Ops III - Liquipedia
    Mar 22, 2025 · Call of Duty: Black Ops III ; Developers: Treyarch Beenox (PS3/X360) Mercenary Technology (PS3/X360) Aspyr Media (mac OS) ; Publisher: Activision.<|separator|>
  38. [38]
    Black Ops 4 – Revealed! - Call of Duty
    May 17, 2018 · For the PC, Treyarch is co-developing with Beenox. Black Ops 4 represents the largest development team assembled for a PC title in the series.
  39. [39]
    Call of Duty Warzone Mobile Announced; Will Arrive in 2023 - Beebom
    Oct 15, 2025 · As per the official blog post, Warzone Mobile is being co-developed by “teams from Activision Shanghai Studio, Beenox, Digital Legends, and ...
  40. [40]
  41. [41]
    Beenox to debut new game, 3D engine at E3 | Macworld
    Apr 21, 2002 · Beenox Studios announced today plans to publicly debut The VATZ, a new action/strategy game built using an engine called Goliath.Missing: 2012 | Show results with:2012
  42. [42]
    The Vatz (Beenox) [PC/Xbox - Cancelled] - Unseen64
    Mar 16, 2024 · The Vatz is a cancelled science-fiction post-apocalyptic/horror Third-Person action/Role-Playing hybrid game developed around 2001-2002 by Beenox Inc.
  43. [43]
    The Vatz (Oct 21, 2002 prototype) - Hidden Palace
    Developed by Beenox Studios for the PC and Xbox. The game was scheduled to ... The game was silently cancelled for unknown reasons, and media is very scarce.
  44. [44]
  45. [45]