Riyo Games is a Toronto based indie game studio focused on retro RPGs and memorable stories.
Childhood friends Nick and Robbie spent lazy summer afternoons playing the JRPGs of the 90’s, being transported to faraway places and different eras in time. After playing the classic Super Nintendo JRPG Chrono Trigger, these young friends made a promise to each other and themselves; that one day they would make their dream game - a game that made others feel like they had been whisked away to beautiful places they'd never want to leave, to embark on quests that felt charming and special. Their friendship and their dream persisted, even as their lives took them down different paths. However; the whole time they were learning and scheming! Sketching out their characters, percolating plot, examining engines and learning the tools of the game trade… keeping the dream alive in their hearts.
Then they realized it was time. It was now or never. They left their day jobs and dared to make their dream a reality - Riyo Games was born. Riyo means dream: and for many of the folks at Riyo, working on these games is a dream come true. This shared dream and vision, as well as these collective values are what drives us to make this dream a reality.
Riyo's vision is to craft retro-infused RPGs that awaken treasured childhood memories.
It is our hope to inspire a whole new generation with memories like the ones we grew up with!
Inclusion: Riyo believes in the benefits that diversity and inclusion bring to creative endeavours, the company, the industry and society at large and is steadfastly committed to creating a workplace and video games that cherish them
Accessibility: Core to the studio and its debut title, Threads of Time, accessibility is being built from the ground up to take people with differing physical, mental, auditory and vision abilities, including neurodiverse individuals, in mind
Community: The studio values staying in close touch with its community of fans, engaging them in a community-driven development approach
Quality: The studio is dedicated to maintaining a high level of quality for its games and aims to achieve not just commercial success, but also critical acclaim.