Video game development company THQ has announced that it will be opening a new development and production studio in Montreal Canada in early 2010.

The company, which is responsible for releases such as the Red Faction, Warhammer 40 000: Dawn of War, Smackdown and Saints Row series, revealed that the studio will begin to deliver its first titles in “fiscal 2013” – a period between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013. What the studio will be working on has not yet been confirmed.

The studio is expected to be the “largest facility in its global studio system.” And will be headed by Dave Gatchel, previously of THQ’s Paradigm Entertainment.

This may come as a surprise to the industry, which has seen several studio and development closures as a result of economic pressure. In May 2009 THQ announced reduced net income and revenue for the previous year, losing out on some $35 million.

Nonetheless the company appears to be moving forward on the back of this announcement.