Business Details
29 Years
experience
Award-Winning Real-Time Strategy Game Development Studio
Founded in 1997, Relic Entertainment has established itself as a premier developer of genre-defining real-time strategy games. Our studio has delivered iconic titles such as Homeworld, Dawn of War, Company of Heroes, and Age of Empires, consistently pushing the boundaries of RTS gameplay and storytelling. With a culture rooted in kindness, transparency, and play, we prioritize collaborative creativity while maintaining technical excellence through our proprietary Essence Engine.Our team of experienced developers combines artistic vision with innovative mechanics to create immersive gaming experiences that have earned critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase. Over 25 years of continuous innovation, we remain committed to advancing the RTS genre while fostering a supportive workplace environment that values work-life balance and community engagement.
Services
Game Development
RTS Game Design
Franchise Expansion
Engine Development
Multiplatform Porting
Community Management
Game Publishing
Quality Assurance
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We have 25+ years of experience creating award-winning RTS games
- Our proprietary Essence Engine powers cutting-edge RTS gameplay
- We've developed 12+ critically acclaimed game franchises
- Our team includes industry veterans with decades of combined experience
- We maintain a supportive workplace culture recognized as Best Place to Work
Services
Game Development
We specialize in creating award-winning real-time strategy games with rich historical and sci-fi narratives. Our development process combines innovative gameplay mechanics with cutting-edge technology to deliver immersive experiences. With expertise spanning multiple game engines and platforms, we bring creative visions to life while maintaining technical excellence and player engagement.
RTS Game Design
Our studio pioneers real-time strategy gameplay innovations through titles like Company of Heroes and Age of Empires. We focus on creating deep tactical systems, dynamic resource management, and historically grounded campaigns. Our design philosophy emphasizes accessibility without sacrificing strategic depth for both casual and hardcore gamers.
Franchise Expansion
We extend successful game franchises through sequels and expansions while maintaining core gameplay integrity. Our approach balances innovation with fan expectations, as demonstrated by the Dawn of War and Homeworld series. Each expansion builds upon established mechanics while introducing fresh features to evolve the gaming experience.
Engine Development
We develop proprietary game engines like the Essence Engine to power our RTS titles. This technology enables advanced graphics, physics simulations, and multiplayer capabilities. Continuous engine improvements across three major versions support our creative vision while ensuring technical stability and performance optimization for modern gaming platforms.
Multiplatform Porting
We adapt PC-focused strategy games for console platforms while preserving core gameplay mechanics. Our porting process includes controller support optimization and interface redesigns, as demonstrated with Company of Heroes 3. This approach maintains strategic depth while making complex RTS gameplay accessible to console audiences.
People
Justin Dowdeswell
CEO
With over 20 years in the gaming industry, Justin leads Relic's vision to create genre-defining strategy titles while fostering Vancouver's game development community. He drives the studio's creative direction and business growth.
Kris Lang
Head of Development
With nearly 20 years of game development experience, Kris oversees central development including the Essence Engine. He focuses on building multidisciplinary teams to create technically innovative and artistically compelling gaming experiences.
Questions
What games has Relic Entertainment developed?
We've created iconic RTS titles including Homeworld, Dawn of War, Company of Heroes, Age of Empires IV, and Warhammer 40,000 series. Our portfolio spans 25+ years of award-winning strategy games.
What game engine does Relic use?
We use our proprietary Essence Engine, now in its third generation. This technology powers all our recent titles and features advanced graphics, physics, and multiplayer capabilities tailored for RTS gameplay.
Where is Relic Entertainment located?
Our headquarters are in Vancouver, British Columbia at 285 W 5th Ave. We operate on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples in Canada's tech hub.
How can I join Relic's team?
We seek passionate game developers who value collaboration and innovation. Check our careers page for current openings and learn about our inclusive culture, competitive benefits, and professional growth opportunities.
What platforms are Relic games available on?
We develop primarily for PC platforms through Steam and Microsoft Store. Recent titles like Company of Heroes 3 include console versions for PlayStation and Xbox systems with optimized controller support.
How does Relic support game communities?
We maintain active community engagement through regular updates, mod support, and player feedback integration. Our games feature multiplayer modes, modding tools, and ongoing content updates to sustain vibrant player communities.
