Critics and moviegoers have said that Montreal, Can.-based Hybride"s effects carry a certain videogame-like aesthetic. Now, the talents and technology of the special effects studio will be used directly in Ubisoft"s videogames.

The acquisition is two-fold for Ubisoft. On one hand, the France-based publisher (which also has a Montreal location, among several others) will share technology and develop tools with Hybride. On the other hand, Hybride will continue to work with its film partners, "while also bringing its expertise to leverage Ubisoft’s intellectual properties for the movie industry," according to Ubisoft.

The revenues generated from Hybride"s work with external film partners will reach around €6-7 million ($9.4-11 million) and a current operating income of about 10 percent of sales, Ubisoft said.

Ubisoft did not disclose the amount of the transaction.

Ubisoft has been up front about bringing games and film closer together, landing deals with Hollywood studios, acquiring the Tom Clancy brand and focusing on hiring people with filmmaking backgrounds.

"The future of our industry depends on our ability to create brands that captivate audiences and to extend those brands to other forms of entertainment," said Ubisoft chief Yves Guillemot in a statement.

“The acquisition of Hybride falls directly into the strategy that has already led us to open a digital creation studio in Montreal and to acquire the Tom Clancy brand for videogames and ancillary products.

"The exceptional quality of the team at Hybride and the expertise of our Ubisoft teams will allow us to create one of the best 3D animation studios in the entertainment industry.”