Behaviour Interactive
Behaviour Interactive is a Montreal-based Canadian video-game developer and publisher best known for the asymmetric multiplayer horror game Dead by Daylight.
Last updated November 4, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Behaviour Interactive Inc., commonly known as Behaviour or BHVR, is a Canadian video-game developer and publisher headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. The company operates across two broad areas: original games, where it creates and supports its own intellectual property, and services, where it provides development, co-development, production, and related expertise for external publishers and entertainment companies. Its best-known original property is Dead by Daylight, an online asymmetric multiplayer survival-horror game released in 2016. The title established Behaviour as an internationally recognized game company and became the center of a wider franchise involving downloadable content, licensed horror characters, merchandise, live events, and planned screen adaptations. The business traces its origins to Megatoon, founded in Quebec City in 1992. In 1994, Rémi Racine co-founded Multimedia Interactive in Montreal to create interactive entertainment for CD-ROM. Both companies were sold to Malofilm Communications in 1996 and merged the following year under the Behaviour Interactive name, with Racine serving as general manager. Early projects included Jersey Devil, a 1997 platform game for PlayStation and Windows, and Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time, released in 1999. Jersey Devil was notable as the first console game made entirely in Quebec. Racine and investors bought the studio back in 1999. In 2000, the company adopted the name Artificial Mind and Movement Inc., usually abbreviated as A2M. Under that identity it expanded its work-for-hire operations and developed projects for clients including Konami, Sony Computer Entertainment, Ubisoft, Disney Interactive Studios, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and Activision. It also produced original games such as Scaler, Wet, and Naughty Bear. In 2008, A2M acquired Chilean developer Wanako Games from Activision Blizzard, adding a South American production operation. The company returned to the Behaviour Interactive name in 2010. The rebrand reflected the company's greater emphasis on original games, the availability of its former name, and the undesirable interpretations associated with the A2M abbreviation. Behaviour retained its external development business while investing more heavily in proprietary intellectual property. Dead by Daylight, initially published by Starbreeze, became the company's defining commercial success after its 2016 launch. Behaviour acquired the game's publishing rights from Starbreeze in 2018, strengthening its control over the franchise and its long-term live-service strategy. The company's growth has been accompanied by international expansion and acquisitions. It opened a Toronto office in 2022 and acquired Midwinter Entertainment, a Seattle-based studio, that year. In 2023 it acquired SockMonkey Studios in the United Kingdom, renamed Behaviour UK–North, opened Behaviour UK–South in Cornwall, and acquired Dutch developer Codeglue, renamed Behaviour Rotterdam. In 2024 it acquired Montreal immersive-experience company Fly Studio to reinforce its location-based-entertainment activities, partnered with Haenir Studio on Blight: Survival, and acquired Red Hook Studios, which continued to operate independently. Behaviour also announced the closure of Midwinter and cancellation of the Dead by Daylight spin-off Project T in 2024. The reference material identifies a 2026 acquisition of The Fun Pimps, the developer of 7 Days to Die. Behaviour's positioning combines original intellectual property with large-scale co-development and production services. Its service clients and collaborators have included major game, film, television, and technology companies. The studio has also emphasized workplace practices, including an early policy against crunch, and has received workplace recognition in the Canadian games sector. At the same time, like many game developers, it has undergone restructuring and layoffs, including reductions in Montreal in 2024. Its current identity is therefore that of a privately held, internationally active developer-publisher built around a major live-service horror franchise, a network of specialized studios, and a substantial external-development business.
History
Behaviour Interactive began in 1992 as Megatoon in Quebec City. In 1994, Rémi Racine co-founded Multimedia Interactive in Montreal to develop interactive CD-ROM software. Malofilm Communications acquired both companies in 1996 and merged them in 1997 under the Behaviour Interactive name. The studio's early work included Jersey Devil, released in 1997, and Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time, released in 1999. Jersey Devil was recognized as the first console game produced entirely in Quebec. Racine and investors bought the company back in 1999. The studio changed its name in 2000 to Artificial Mind and Movement Inc., commonly known as A2M. During this period, it combined commissioned development with original projects. It worked with publishers and entertainment companies including Konami, Sony Computer Entertainment, Ubisoft, Disney Interactive Studios, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and Activision. Original releases included Scaler, Wet, and Naughty Bear. The acquisition of Wanako Games from Activision Blizzard in 2008 expanded the company's international development footprint. In 2010, A2M adopted the Behaviour Interactive name again. The change accompanied a stronger emphasis on original games and avoided unwanted interpretations of the A2M abbreviation. Behaviour continued to provide external development services while building its own intellectual property. Dead by Daylight, released in 2016 and initially published by Starbreeze, became the company's defining title. After purchasing the game's publishing rights from Starbreeze in 2018, Behaviour gained greater control over the franchise's commercial and creative direction. The game's long-term live-service model and licensed content helped transform Behaviour from a primarily service-oriented studio into a prominent international developer-publisher. The company expanded through offices, acquisitions, partnerships, and new business areas. It opened a Toronto office in 2022 and acquired Midwinter Entertainment. In 2023 it acquired SockMonkey Studios, opened a Cornwall studio, and acquired Codeglue in the Netherlands. It also released Meet Your Maker and announced a Dead by Daylight film project. In 2024, Behaviour acquired Fly Studio for its immersive and location-based-entertainment capabilities, partnered with Haenir Studio on Blight: Survival, closed Midwinter, cancelled Project T, and acquired Red Hook Studios. The company has also funded academic research in game design at Concordia University. Behaviour has experienced both growth and restructuring. Reported revenue increased substantially during the rise of Dead by Daylight, while the company later announced layoffs in Montreal in 2024. Its public workplace identity includes opposition to crunch, a labor practice involving extended or unpaid overtime to meet production deadlines. The company has received workplace recognition in the Canadian games industry. Today, Behaviour's business combines the Dead by Daylight franchise, other original games, co-development services, a network of international studios, and immersive-entertainment activities.
- 2024
Immersive-entertainment expansion and restructuring
[1]Behaviour acquired Fly Studio, announced layoffs, closed Midwinter, cancelled Project T, and acquired Red Hook Studios.
- 2023
International studio expansion
[1]Behaviour acquired SockMonkey Studios, opened a Cornwall studio, and acquired Codeglue.
- 2022
Toronto office and Midwinter acquisition
[1]Behaviour opened a Toronto office and acquired Midwinter Entertainment.
- 2018
Dead by Daylight publishing rights are acquired
[1]Behaviour bought the publishing rights from Starbreeze.
- 2016
Dead by Daylight launches
[1]Behaviour released its asymmetric multiplayer survival-horror game.
- 2010
Behaviour Interactive name returns
[1]The company restored the Behaviour Interactive identity.
- 2008
Wanako Games is acquired
[1]A2M acquired Chilean developer Wanako Games from Activision Blizzard.
- 2000
The company becomes Artificial Mind and Movement
[1]Following its buyback, the studio operated under the A2M name.
- 1999
Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time is released
[1]Behaviour released the licensed platform game for Infogrames.
- 1997
Jersey Devil is released
[1]The PlayStation platform game became the first console game made entirely in Quebec.
Products and positioning
An independent Canadian game developer and publisher combining a globally recognized original live-service franchise with external development, co-development, and immersive-entertainment capabilities.
Asymmetric multiplayer survival horror · 2016
Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight is Behaviour's signature online multiplayer franchise. It places one player in the role of a supernatural killer against a group of survivors who must cooperate to escape. Its ongoing service model has supported frequent content updates, original characters, and licensed horror properties. The game became Behaviour's main global growth engine and expanded beyond the original release through downloadable content, events, adaptations, and other franchise initiatives.
First-person building and raiding game · 2023
Meet Your Maker
Meet Your Maker is a post-apocalyptic game built around player-created content. Players construct fortified outposts and design challenges, then raid creations made by other players. The concept combines first-person combat, construction, traps, and asynchronous community interaction, positioning the title as a separate original property within Behaviour's portfolio.
Action-adventure game · 2010
Naughty Bear
Naughty Bear is an original action game released during the company's A2M period. It centers on a mischievous bear whose destructive behavior is presented through stylized humor. The title was commercially important to the studio and helped demonstrate its ability to develop proprietary console intellectual property before the later success of Dead by Daylight.
Action game · 2009
Wet
Wet is a stylized third-person action game developed when the company operated as Artificial Mind and Movement. Its design emphasizes acrobatic movement, gunplay, and a grindhouse-inspired presentation. The game illustrates the studio's work on original console properties during the transition from commissioned production toward a more balanced original-games strategy.
3D platform game · 1997
Jersey Devil
Jersey Devil was an early Behaviour project released for PlayStation and later Windows. The 3D platformer was distributed by Sony and is historically significant in Quebec's game-development history because it was identified as the first console game made entirely in the province.
Licensed platform game · 1999
Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time
Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time was a licensed platform game developed by Behaviour for Infogrames. Its production followed the attention generated by Jersey Devil and helped establish the studio as a capable partner for major entertainment properties.
Controversies
2018
Westworld lawsuit
Bethesda alleged that the Westworld mobile game, developed by Behaviour for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, copied protected design elements, visual features, gameplay systems, and software behavior from Fallout Shelter. The dispute also included allegations concerning duplicated bugs and trade secrets. The lawsuit was settled out of court in January 2019.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Behaviour Beyond
International
Behaviour used its Behaviour Beyond showcase to present new and upcoming projects, including Hooked on You, Flippin Misfits, and Meet Your Maker, while extending attention around the Dead by Daylight universe.
Outcome. Provided a public platform for the company's original-games pipeline and franchise expansion.
- 2018Dead by Daylight franchise expansion
International
The acquisition of Dead by Daylight's publishing rights supported a broader franchise strategy based on ongoing content, licensed collaborations, and direct control of the property's publishing direction.
Outcome. Strengthened Behaviour's position as a publisher of live-service original intellectual property.
Brand decisions
2024
Expand immersive and location-based entertainmentStrategyBackground
Behaviour identified location-based entertainment as an area for growth alongside game development and services.
Action taken
Behaviour acquired Fly Studio and integrated immersive-entertainment activities into its business structure.
Aftermath
The acquisition consolidated the company's capabilities in multimedia experiences and location-based entertainment.
2023
Release Meet Your MakerProduct launchBackground
Behaviour was broadening its original-games portfolio beyond Dead by Daylight.
Action taken
The company launched Meet Your Maker on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Aftermath
The release added a player-generated-content title to Behaviour's original portfolio.
2018
Acquire Dead by Daylight publishing rightsM&ABackground
Dead by Daylight had become Behaviour's most important original property after its 2016 release.
Action taken
Behaviour purchased the publishing rights from Starbreeze.
Aftermath
The transaction gave Behaviour greater control over the franchise's publishing, monetization, and long-term development.
Publishing-rights purchase price. US$16 million (2018)
2016
Launch Dead by DaylightProduct launchBackground
Behaviour was continuing to combine external development work with investment in original games.
Action taken
The company released Dead by Daylight, initially with Starbreeze as publisher.
Aftermath
The game became Behaviour's defining franchise and later supported a substantial live-service and licensing business.
2010
Restore the Behaviour Interactive nameStrategyBackground
The company had operated as Artificial Mind and Movement, or A2M, since 2000. It was placing greater emphasis on original games and wanted to use the formerly established Behaviour identity again.
Action taken
The studio announced that it would return to the Behaviour Interactive name.
Aftermath
The restored identity became the basis for the company's later international expansion and publisher positioning.
Recent events
- 2026
Behaviour acquires The Fun Pimps[1]
M&A
The reference material states that Behaviour bought The Fun Pimps, developer of 7 Days to Die.
- 2024
Behaviour announces Montreal layoffs[1]
Other
Behaviour laid off 45 employees in Montreal, described as fewer than 3% of its total workforce.
- 2024
Behaviour acquires Fly Studio[1]
M&A
Behaviour acquired Montreal-based immersive-experience producer Fly Studio to strengthen its location-based-entertainment business.
- 2024
Behaviour partners with Haenir Studio on Blight: Survival[1]
Other · Product launch
Behaviour announced a partnership with Haenir Studio to support the action-horror cooperative survival game Blight: Survival.
- 2024
Behaviour announces additional layoffs[1]
Other
The company announced a further reduction of 95 positions, including 70 in Montreal.
- 2024
Behaviour closes Midwinter and cancels Project T[1]
Other · Product generation
Behaviour announced the closure of Midwinter Entertainment and the cancellation of Project T, a planned Dead by Daylight spin-off.
- 2024
Behaviour acquires Red Hook Studios[1]
M&A
Behaviour acquired Red Hook Studios, developer of Darkest Dungeon and Darkest Dungeon II, while stating that Red Hook would continue as an independent studio.
- 2023
Behaviour acquires SockMonkey Studios[1]
M&A
Behaviour acquired the UK developer SockMonkey Studios and renamed it Behaviour UK–North.
- 2023
Dead by Daylight film adaptation enters development[1]
Other
A film based on Dead by Daylight was announced as a collaboration involving Behaviour, Blumhouse Productions, Atomic Monster, and Striker Entertainment.
- 2023
Meet Your Maker releases[1]
Product launch
Behaviour launched Meet Your Maker, a post-apocalyptic first-person building-and-raiding game centered on player-created levels.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/behaviour-interactive · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled