Pierre-Andre Dery

Comics illustration (1990s–2005)

Before transitioning to the video game industry, Pierre-André Déry established himself as a comic book artist. He began by working as an inker and colorist for toy companies Hasbro and Mattel, as well as for publishers Marvel Comics and Image Comics.^[1]

In 2002, he co-founded the illustration studio Grafiksismik, based in Quebec City, specializing in comics artwork. He worked there until 2005, contributing to series published by the major American comics publishers: Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Devil's Due Publishing, Dreamwave, and CrossGen.^[1] His credits include Star Wars (Dark Horse), Batman, Gen 13, and Thundercats (DC), G.I. Joe (Devil's Due), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Transformers (Dreamwave), as well as numerous Marvel titles including Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, New Mutants, X-Men Unlimited, Human Torch, and Sleepwalker.^[1][2]

Art director at Sarbakan (2006–2007)

In 2006, Déry joined Sarbakan, a Quebec City video game development studio, as art director. He worked on projects for clients including Disney, RealNetworks, Warner Bros., Playfirst, National Geographic, MTV, and Nickelodeon.^[1]

Volta — Executive producer (2008–2014)

In 2008, Déry became executive producer at Volta, a Quebec City studio specializing in outsourced visual development for console games (concept art and art direction).^[1] In this role, he oversaw the studio's visual contribution to more than thirty console titles, including games in the Far Cry, Deus Ex, and World of Warcraft franchises.^[3][4]

Alongside his work at Volta, Déry is credited as associate producer on Saints Row: The Third (2011), developed by Volition and published by THQ.^[5]

Art director at Beenox / Activision (2011–2014)

Déry also served as art director at Beenox, a Quebec City studio and subsidiary of Activision. He contributed to the Skylanders franchise and to The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014).^[3][4][6]

Gearbox Studio Quebec — Co-founder and co-studio head (2015–2024)

In 2015, Déry and Sébastien Caisse, who were both considering starting their own company, approached Gearbox Software, whose leadership was looking to expand beyond Texas. A meeting was arranged in Quebec City with support from Quebec International, allowing Gearbox executives to explore the city and its game development ecosystem.^[6]

On December 11, 2015, Gearbox Software announced the opening of Gearbox Studio Quebec, its first studio outside Texas in sixteen years.^[3] Sébastien Caisse (Ph.D) was named co-director of operations, while Pierre-André Déry was appointed co-studio head and creative director. The official press release described Déry as having previously "contributed to the visual development of more than thirty console titles, including games in the Assassin's Creed, Guitar Hero, Halo, Far Cry, Deus Ex, and World of Warcraft franchises."^[3]

The studio was tasked with developing original AAA games for consoles and PC, with plans to begin production on a first title in 2016 and to eventually create around one hundred jobs.^[6] Over the following years, the studio grew to approximately 200 employees and contributed to several major entries in the Borderlands franchise, including Borderlands 3 (2019), Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022), New Tales from the Borderlands (2022) and Borderlands 4 (2025).^[7]

Gearbox Studio Montreal — Co-founder and co-studio head (2021–2024)

On August 26, 2021, Gearbox Entertainment announced the creation of Gearbox Studio Montreal, a second Quebec studio representing a CAD $200 million investment, intended to add 250 jobs to Montreal's technology sector and bring Gearbox's total headcount to more than 850 people.^[8]

Caisse and Déry were again appointed to co-lead the new studio. Déry oversaw creative development and recruitment for Gearbox's Quebec operations. In the official announcement, he stated: "Building on Gearbox's long tradition of creative freedom, we are excited to bring together a new development team to work on the Borderlands franchise and create new IPs in Montreal."^[8]

In an interview with La Presse at the time of the announcement, Déry described the operational autonomy enjoyed by the Quebec studios: "Project management, human resources, business opportunities — all of that falls under Gearbox. But we have great creative freedom; we build the studio, the productions, and the teams the way we want."^[9]

Departure from Gearbox (2024)

In March 2024, Take-Two Interactive acquired Gearbox Entertainment from Embracer Group for approximately US$460 million, a transaction accompanied by waves of layoffs across the affected studios.^[10] Caisse and Déry both departed Gearbox that same year.^[11]