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Fremantle’s Ludia to invest $30 million for expansion plans
MUMBAI: On the heels of the global success of its latest title, Jurassic World: The Game, FremantleMedia’s mobile and online game developer Ludia is planning to invest a sum of $30 million to support the expansion of the Montreal studio and team.
Additionally, the company will also be creating 100 new positions as it begins work on four new franchises, expanding its portfolio. The expansion of the Montreal studio will allow the 100 new hires to join the 300 employees already assigned to different projects.
“We are thrilled with today’s news as it clearly demonstrates the tremendous growth and achievements Ludia has experienced. Such an investment in resources, infrastructure and renowned intellectual properties is a testament to the quality of Ludia’s work and the growth of the mobile and online games industry,” said Ludia Inc president and CEO Alex Thabet.
These new licenses will allow Ludia to take on more projects with a broader consumer appeal and reach a larger and more varied fan base in the range of casual to mid-core games.
One of its most recent successes, Jurassic World: The Game, launched on 30 April, 2015, and generated close to $25 million in gross revenue in the month following the movie release. This makes Jurassic World: The Game Ludia’s biggest launch in the studio’s history.
“Montreal is a major player in the gaming industry, and as online and mobile platforms become more popular, our talent pool and infrastructure is increasingly attractive to world-class studios. Ludia is clearly a leader in the online and mobile space. Montreal is fortunate to play host to an innovative, growing industry leader,” said Montreal International president and CEO Dominique Anglade.
“In 10 years, Montréal’s video game industry has experienced an annual average growth of 22 per cent from 1,200 to 8,900 jobs. Companies like Ludia, at the forefront of innovation and creativity, have supported the creation of these high-value jobs, in a promising sector of our economy. Their many successes highlight Montréalers’ expertise around the world and help position the city as a world capital of digital entertainment,” said Mayor of Montréal and Montréal Metropolitan Community president Denis Coderre.
Ludia is also known for its online and mobile games based on franchises like Dragons: Rise of Berk and Family Feud.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
