Motive Studio

Founding and early development

Motive Studio was established in July 2015 as an internal venture by Electronic Arts, with Jade Raymond, a former Ubisoft executive and producer, appointed to lead the new studio. Raymond's hiring was officially announced by EA on July 13, 2015, marking a significant investment in building a new creative hub in Montreal. The studio's founding premise was to innovate within the AAA game development space while achieving commercial success, a mandate it pursued from its inception. By early 2017, the studio had grown to employ more than 100 people in Montreal, with plans to expand to approximately 150 staff members, as confirmed by EA's chief financial officer Blake Jorgensen during an earnings call.

In a major structural change in August 2017, EA merged its Montreal-based BioWare studio into Motive, consolidating development resources within the city and bringing additional talent into the fold. The studio's early growth was rapid, as it was immediately tasked with working on projects related to the Star Wars franchise, including an unannounced title and collaborative work on Star Wars Battlefront II. A Vancouver branch of Motive was announced in June 2018 to further expand the studio's capacity and geographic footprint within Canada, supporting its multi-project development structure. Following Jade Raymond's departure from EA in October 2018, Patrick Klaus, a former managing director for Ubisoft Quebec, was hired as the senior vice-president and general manager to lead Motive Studio through its next phase.

The studio's early personnel moves included hiring Kim Swift, the co-creator of Portal, as its design director in January 2017 to guide the creative vision of its projects. From its formation, Motive was structured to work on multiple projects concurrently, including Star Wars titles and an original new IP known as Gaia, which aimed to put creativity in players' hands. The studio's address is 2200 rue Stanley in Montreal, where it finalized its office space during its initial ramp-up phase as it grew its team. Electronic Arts positioned Motive as a key part of its strategy to drive greater creativity and support for game makers within its studio network, under the leadership of executives like Laura Miele.

Released titles and major projects

Motive Studio's first publicly released title was Star Wars: Squadrons, a space combat game that launched to positive reception from critics and players. The studio had been involved with the Star Wars license from its formation, including collaborative work on Star Wars Battlefront II, which was released in 2017 and featured contributions from the Motive team. The project was reported by VentureBeat as a revival in the style of the Resident Evil 2 remake and demonstrated the studio's technical and creative capabilities on a beloved franchise. The studio is currently developing a new, original action-adventure game based on Marvel's Iron Man, announced in September 2022 in partnership with Marvel Games as part of a multi-title agreement. In a 2024 development, following the closure of Ridgeline Games, Electronic Arts announced that Motive would be joining the core development team for the next mainline Battlefield title to ensure its successful delivery. This project, revealed as Battlefield 6 on July 24, 2025, and released on October 10, 2025, represents Motive's expansion into working on one of EA's flagship shooter franchises alongside established teams like DICE. The studio's general manager confirmed that work on the Iron Man project would continue alongside its contributions to Battlefield, maintaining a dual-project focus. Motive's development history includes several key projects that define its output and collaboration model within the larger EA ecosystem. The following list details the major games the studio has been involved with, including its supporting roles and lead development responsibilities.

• Star Wars Battlefront II (2017): Co-development and support work from the studio's early team, contributing to the 2017 live service title.
• Star Wars: Squadrons (2020): The studio's first fully developed and released title, focusing on immersive starfighter combat.
• Battlefield 6 (2025): Contributing developer for the title released on October 10, 2025, following an April 2024 announcement of its involvement.
• Iron Man (TBA): An upcoming action-adventure game in development with Marvel Games, announced in September 2022.

The studio's portfolio focuses on action-adventure games and creating new intellectual properties. Its work includes titles set in established universes like Star Wars and Dead Space. Motive also supports other Electronic Arts franchises, such as the Battlefield series. This dual focus on original projects and collaborative support is a key part of its strategy within EA.

Cancelled projects and internal challenges

Alongside its Star Wars work, Motive began development on an ambitious new intellectual property under the working title Gaia, intended to be a highly innovative game. The project was described in a 2020 promotional video from EA as a highly ambitious, innovative new game that puts the power and creativity in your hands, though only a few seconds of footage were ever shown publicly. Internal reports from Bloomberg News indicated that following the completion of Star Wars Battlefront II, that development team was merged into the Gaia project, leading to some cultural clashes within the studio between different teams. These challenges contributed to the departure of several studio executives and, ultimately, founder Jade Raymond in late 2018, after which the project had to be rebooted, significantly extending its development timeline and causing further delays.

According to a Bloomberg News report, Electronic Arts cancelled the development of the original IP Gaia in February 2021 after a project review. Another cancelled project was Project Ragtag, a Star Wars title originally from Visceral Games that Jade Raymond was overseeing. Following these cancellations, Motive refocused its efforts on announced titles. The studio shifted to projects like the Dead Space remake and supporting other EA franchises.

Motive Studio has had projects that were cancelled before release. The ambitious new IP Gaia was cancelled by EA in February 2021. Project Ragtag, a Star Wars title transferred from Visceral Games, was also cancelled. These cancellations illustrate the challenges of AAA game development within a major publisher like Electronic Arts.

The cancellations occurred after a period of internal change, including the departure of founder Jade Raymond in 2018. The studio was then placed under the oversight of EA executive Samantha Ryan. Motive subsequently focused on defined projects like the Dead Space remake. This strategic shift resulted in a successful and critically acclaimed release for the studio.

Studio leadership and structure

Motive Studio has experienced several key leadership transitions since its founding, reflecting its evolution within Electronic Arts and the broader video game industry. Jade Raymond served as the studio head from its inception in July 2015 until her departure in October 2018, having helped build the team to over 100 employees and establishing its early project slate. Her exit coincided with a corporate restructuring that placed Motive under the expanded portfolio of Samantha Ryan, an EA executive who also oversaw studios like BioWare, Maxis, and EA Mobile, as part of a drive for greater creativity. According to a statement from EA's head of communications John Reseburg obtained by VentureBeat, the change in oversight was part of steps taken by Laura Miele and her team to better support game makers within EA Studios.

Following Raymond's departure, Patrick Klaus was appointed as the studio's general manager and senior vice-president, bringing experience from his role as managing director for Ubisoft Quebec to guide Motive forward. The studio operates as a fully owned subsidiary of Electronic Arts and is integrated into the EA Studios network, reporting up through executives like Laura Miele, who is the chief studios officer. The studio's design direction also saw notable appointments, such as the hiring of Portal co-creator Kim Swift as design director in January 2017 to bring innovative design thinking to its projects. The studio's structure allows it to work on multiple projects simultaneously across its locations, including both original IP and contributions to established EA franchises, with clear reporting lines within the EA hierarchy.

Motive Studio was founded in July 2015 by former Ubisoft executive Jade Raymond. After Raymond's departure in 2018, Patrick Klaus, a former managing director for Ubisoft Quebec, became the general manager. The studio also operates under the broader portfolio of EA executive Samantha Ryan. Key personnel have included design director Kim Swift, who was hired in January 2017.

• Jade Raymond (2015 to 2018): Founder and studio head, former Ubisoft executive and producer on Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed II, and Watch Dogs.
• Kim Swift (2017– ): Hired as Design Director in January 2017, known as co-creator of Portal and a veteran game designer.
• Patrick Klaus (2018– ): General Manager and Senior Vice-President, former managing director for Ubisoft Quebec, appointed after Raymond's departure.
• Samantha Ryan (2018– ): Oversight executive, expanded her portfolio to lead Motive alongside BioWare and Maxis, known for driving creative design.

This leadership has guided the studio through project cancellations and successful releases like Dead Space. The framework also supported Motive's integration into broader EA initiatives, such as joining the Battlefield development team. General manager Patrick Klaus provides internal leadership. Executive oversight from Samantha Ryan connects the studio to EA's central resources and strategic goals.

Games developed by Motive Studio

Motive Studio has developed and co-developed several major video game titles. Its first release was Star Wars: Squadrons. The studio released the Dead Space remake on January 27, 2023, to favorable reviews. It is also working on an Iron Man game with Marvel Games. Motive contributed to the development of Battlefield 6, released on October 10, 2025.

In addition to these released titles, Motive has contributed to other projects, including development support for Star Wars Battlefront II, which shipped in 2017 and featured work from the early Motive team. The studio's upcoming projects include an untitled Iron Man game in collaboration with Marvel Games, announced in 2022 and representing a major licensed property development. The studio's portfolio demonstrates a focus on narrative-driven action and adventure games, often within established science fiction and horror universes, while also adapting to support EA's core shooter franchise with technical expertise. This blend of leading original projects and providing expert support to other teams defines Motive's role within the larger Electronic Arts ecosystem and its value to the publisher's diverse game slate.

Role within Electronic Arts and the industry

Motive Studio occupies a distinct position within Electronic Arts as a centre for action-adventure game development and new IP creation, founded on the premise of innovating within AAA titles while achieving commercial success. The studio was established with the explicit goal of bringing innovative ideas to the AAA game market, a mandate that continues to guide its projects even after shifts in its original slate following cancellations like Gaia. As part of EA's larger studio network, Motive both leads its own productions and provides support for other key franchises, such as its involvement with the Battlefield series following the closure of Ridgeline Games in 2024. This dual role allows the studio to leverage its technical expertise across multiple high-profile projects while maintaining its core identity as a creator of polished, narrative-driven experiences.

The studio's location in Montreal places it at the heart of one of the world's largest video game development hubs, alongside other major studios like Ubisoft Montreal and Warner Bros. Games Montreal, benefiting from a deep talent pool. Its growth to over 100 employees shortly after founding and its continued operations contribute significantly to the local and national tech economy in Quebec and Canada, providing high-skilled employment. Motive's work on remaking classic games like Dead Space aligns with a broader industry trend of revitalizing older franchises with modern technology and design sensibilities for new audiences, a successful strategy for many publishers. The studio's collaboration with Marvel Games on an Iron Man title further indicates its role in developing games based on major global entertainment properties, expanding its reach beyond traditional game IP.

Within EA's corporate structure, Motive is part of a network managed by executives like Laura Miele and Samantha Ryan, aimed at driving creativity across all studios and supporting game teams to bring their visions to life. The studio's journey from a new venture focused on Star Wars and original IP to a developer capable of delivering a critically acclaimed remake and supporting a flagship shooter illustrates its adaptive and resilient development culture under changing conditions. Its contributions help solidify Canada's reputation as a leading jurisdiction for high-quality game development, providing skilled employment and attracting international investment in the interactive entertainment sector from publishers like Electronic Arts. The studio's ongoing projects and its integration into EA's strategic plans ensure it remains a relevant and productive part of the Canadian and global video game industry for the foreseeable future.

Questions about Motive Studio

When was Motive Studio founded and by whom?

Motive Studio was founded in July 2015 by Jade Raymond, a prominent video game producer formerly with Ubisoft. Electronic Arts announced her appointment to lead the new studio on July 13, 2015. The studio was established as an internal development team within EA with a focus on creating innovative AAA games. Its primary headquarters were set up in Montreal, Quebec, and it quickly grew to over 100 employees as it ramped up development.

What games has Motive Studio developed?

Motive Studio's first released game was Star Wars: Squadrons in 2020. In 2023, the studio released a critically acclaimed remake of the survival horror game Dead Space. The studio also contributed to the development of Star Wars Battlefront II and is a contributing developer for Battlefield 6, released in October 2025. An upcoming project is an action-adventure Iron Man game developed in partnership with Marvel Games.

Where is Motive Studio located?

Motive Studio is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with offices at 2200 rue Stanley. The studio is a key part of Montreal's extensive video game development community. Electronic Arts also announced a Vancouver branch for Motive in June 2018, expanding the studio's presence within Canada. All development is managed under the parent company, Electronic Arts.

What happened to the Gaia project?

The Gaia project was cancelled by Electronic Arts in February 2021. It was a highly ambitious and innovative new intellectual property in development at Motive Studio under a working title. The project experienced a reboot following the departure of key studio executives, including founder Jade Raymond in 2018, which extended its development time. According to reports, the project's cancellation occurred during a company review of its development slate. Following this, Motive Studio continued its work on other projects such as the Dead Space remake and the Iron Man game.

Who is the current head of Motive Studio?

The current general manager of Motive Studio is Patrick Klaus. He was hired by Electronic Arts as senior vice president and general manager following the departure of founder Jade Raymond in 2018. Klaus previously served as a managing director for Ubisoft Quebec. The studio also operates under the broader leadership of Samantha Ryan, an EA executive whose portfolio expanded to include oversight of Motive, BioWare, Maxis, and EA Mobile.

Is Motive Studio working on a new Battlefield game?

Yes, Motive Studio is contributing to the development of a Battlefield game. In April 2024, Electronic Arts announced that Motive would join the development team for the next mainline Battlefield title following the closure of Ridgeline Games. The game was later revealed as Battlefield 6 on July 24, 2025, and was released on October 10, 2025. Motive continues to work on its other projects, including an action adventure Iron Man game with Marvel Games, while supporting the Battlefield development effort.

Sources and further reading

• Motive Studio (Wikipedia)
• EA Motive founder Jade Raymond departs EA (gamedeveloper.com)
• EA Motive Studio Head, Jade Raymond, Departs the ... (seasonedgaming.com)
• Jade Raymond's EA Motive studio now employs more than ... (gamesbeat.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.