Studio Reset, an Edmonton‑based developer founded by three former BioWare staff, announced its debut title, The Eventide, a supernatural mystery game that uses a fixed‑camera 3D perspective.
Game concept blends investigative mechanics with Canadian flair
The Eventide places players in a stylized neon‑noir city that evokes Toronto’s downtown vibe while remaining a fictionalized version of Canadian locales. The core mechanic, called Parallax Deduction, requires players to select two agents from a roster of specialists and solve cases using each character’s unique view of clues.
Three agents have been highlighted so far. Evelyn “Eve” Atwood, described as a cryptozoologist, approaches odd phenomena through a scientific lens. Sam “Brass” Hingle, a former detective, focuses on reading people and interpreting social cues. The third, Kira, is noted only as “The [REDACTED]” and draws on psychic and emotional energy.
According to the team, the setting will feature familiar yet legally distinct references to Canadian culture, such as transit stations and coffee‑and‑donut shops that echo real‑world establishments without directly copying them. “We’re Canadian. We’re making what we know because it’s who we are,” said producer and creative director Kaelin Lavallée.
Related: Apple Offers New Device Leasing Options Abroad
Team’s pedigree and development status
Studio Reset’s leadership includes Kaelin Lavallée (producer and creative director), Kris Schoneberg (design director) and Francis Lacuna (art director). Their collective résumé spans BioWare’s Mass Effect trilogy, the Dragon Age series, The Long Dark from Hinterland, and an unannounced project at Timbre Games.
They previously hinted at influences from The X‑Files and past work on party‑based RPGs, suggesting a blend of narrative depth and cooperative gameplay. While the title remains in early development, a Steam wishlist is live for those who want updates.
From a broader industry perspective, the emergence of a narrative‑driven mystery game from a team with strong RPG roots reflects a growing appetite for hybrid experiences that combine story‑heavy investigation with distinct character trends. As players seek fresh ways to engage with familiar genres, titles like The Eventide may fill a niche that blends investigative intrigue with the atmospheric stylings of a neon‑lit cityscape.
MobileSyrup’s interview with the studio in May revealed that the team could not disclose many specifics at the time, including the game’s name. The recent reveal now clarifies how the Parallax Deduction system will function, emphasizing the need for players to leverage each agent’s unique abilities.
Related: Expensive bike lock divides cyclists
Lavallée added that the city in the trailer is a fictional composite inspired by several Canadian provinces and territories, aiming to celebrate regional diversity without replicating any single location. This approach mirrors a trend among developers to embed subtle cultural nods while maintaining creative freedom.
It feels fresh.
Although no release window has been set, the focus on early development suggests that further details, such as additional agents, narrative arcs, and gameplay mechanics, will emerge over the coming months. Interested gamers can follow the Steam page for announcements.
