Propaganda Games
A Vancouver-based Canadian video-game development studio founded in 2005 and closed by Disney in 2011.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Propaganda Games was a Canadian video-game development studio based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The studio was established in April 2005 by Buena Vista Games, the predecessor of Disney Interactive Studios, using former employees of EA Canada. Josh Holmes is identified as the studio’s founder. Its creation formed part of Disney’s effort to expand its internal video-game development capabilities and produce titles based on major entertainment properties. Shortly after its establishment, Propaganda Games acquired the video-game license for Turok in May 2005. The studio subsequently developed Turok, a first-person action game based on the dinosaur-hunting franchise. Published in 2008 for the then-current generation of home consoles, the game represented the studio’s principal original production and its most visible release. A follow-up, commonly referred to as Turok 2, entered development but was cancelled after layoffs affected the studio. Propaganda Games also worked on Tron: Evolution, an action-adventure game connected with Disney’s Tron property. The title was released in 2010 and was developed as a cross-platform licensed property intended to support the wider Tron entertainment franchise. In addition, the studio worked on a proposed Pirates of the Caribbean game, but that project was cancelled before release. After completing work on Tron: Evolution and following the cancellation of the Pirates of the Caribbean project, Disney closed Propaganda Games in January 2011. The closure ended the studio’s operations and left Turok 2 unreleased. Propaganda Games therefore had a relatively short operating history, with its public identity shaped primarily by licensed-property development, its 2008 Turok release, its work on Tron: Evolution, and the cancellation of projects during a period of layoffs and restructuring.
History
Propaganda Games was formed in Vancouver in April 2005 by Buena Vista Games, the Disney gaming subsidiary that later became Disney Interactive Studios. The new studio was staffed in part by former employees of EA Canada, giving it access to an experienced local development workforce. Josh Holmes is identified as its founder. Its establishment reflected Disney’s strategy of developing more games internally rather than relying exclusively on external publishers and contractors. In May 2005, shortly after the studio was created, Propaganda Games acquired the license to develop a new Turok game. The project became the studio’s main original production and was built for the contemporary console market. Turok was released in 2008 as a first-person action title for the then-current generation of consoles. Although the game established Propaganda Games as a developer of large-scale licensed action games, a planned sequel entered development and was later cancelled following layoffs at the studio. The studio’s other major completed project was Tron: Evolution. Developed as part of Disney’s broader effort around the Tron property, the game was an action-adventure title linked to the franchise and released in 2010. Propaganda Games also worked on a proposed Pirates of the Caribbean game, but the project was cancelled before it could be released. These projects illustrate the studio’s focus on adapting recognizable Disney or entertainment properties into console games. After finishing Tron: Evolution and abandoning the Pirates of the Caribbean project, Disney shut down Propaganda Games in January 2011. The closure ended the studio’s operations and halted the remaining development of Turok 2. Propaganda Games consequently operated for less than six years and left behind a small but identifiable catalog centered on licensed action games. Its history is notable for the transition from an independent-looking Vancouver development operation to a Disney-owned studio, the release of Turok and Tron: Evolution, the cancellation of Turok 2 and Pirates of the Caribbean, and its eventual closure during a period of layoffs and project retrenchment.
- 2011
Studio closed
[1]Disney closed Propaganda Games in January after Tron: Evolution was completed and the proposed Pirates of the Caribbean game was cancelled.
- 2010
Tron: Evolution released
[1]Propaganda Games completed Tron: Evolution, an action-adventure game based on Disney’s Tron property.
- 2008
Turok released
[1]The studio released Turok for the then-current generation of home consoles.
- 2005
Studio founded in Vancouver
[1]Buena Vista Games established Propaganda Games in April using former EA Canada employees; Josh Holmes is identified as the founder.
- 2005
Turok license acquired
[1]Propaganda Games acquired the license to develop a new Turok game in May.
Products and positioning
A Disney-affiliated development studio focused on producing console games tied to established entertainment franchises, including Turok and Tron.
First-person action game · 2008
Turok
Turok was Propaganda Games’ principal released original project. Based on the Turok franchise, it was developed as a first-person action game for the then-current generation of home consoles and released in 2008. The game placed the studio in the market for large-scale licensed action titles.
Action-adventure game · 2010
Tron: Evolution
Tron: Evolution was an action-adventure game developed in connection with Disney’s Tron property. Propaganda Games completed the title, which was released in 2010 as part of the wider entertainment franchise surrounding Tron.
First-person action game
Turok 2
Turok 2 was a planned sequel to the studio’s 2008 Turok game. It entered development but was cancelled after layoffs at Propaganda Games and was never released.
Licensed action game
Pirates of the Caribbean
Propaganda Games worked on a proposed game based on Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean property. The project was cancelled before release, and its cancellation preceded the studio’s closure.
Brand decisions
2011
Disney shuts down Propaganda GamesStrategyBackground
The studio had completed Tron: Evolution, while the proposed Pirates of the Caribbean project had been cancelled.
Action taken
Disney closed the Vancouver development studio in January 2011.
Aftermath
Propaganda Games ceased operations, and the planned Turok 2 remained unreleased.
2005
Disney establishes a Vancouver development studioStrategyBackground
Buena Vista Games sought to build an internal development operation using former EA Canada employees.
Action taken
The company formed Propaganda Games in Vancouver in April 2005.
Aftermath
The studio became a Disney-affiliated developer focused on console games and licensed entertainment properties.
2005
Turok license acquiredOtherBackground
The newly formed studio required a major project and acquired access to the established Turok franchise.
Action taken
Propaganda Games began development of a new Turok title, which was released in 2008.
Aftermath
A sequel was later attempted but cancelled after layoffs.
Recent events
- 2011
Disney closes Propaganda Games[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Disney closed the Vancouver studio in January 2011 after the completion of Tron: Evolution and the cancellation of a proposed Pirates of the Caribbean game.
- 2010
Tron: Evolution completed by Propaganda Games[1]
Product launch
The studio completed and released Tron: Evolution, an action-adventure game connected with Disney’s Tron property.
- 2008
Propaganda Games develops Turok for current-generation consoles[1]
Product launch
Propaganda Games released Turok, a first-person action game based on the Turok franchise, for the then-current generation of home consoles.
Turok 2 cancelled after layoffs[1]
Product generation · Other
A planned sequel to Turok was cancelled after layoffs at Propaganda Games affected development.
Sources1 sources
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