Canadian game company Digital Extremes is investing $36 million in developing a 3D Evolution Game Engine, which includes a $2.5 million grant from the provincial government.

The engine will automate the programming work needed to create a new 3D video game, reducing time and cost in bringing titles to the competitive gaming market.

The money will create 30 new jobs and protect 53 existing ones. More than 120 people currently work at the London, Ontario-based studio.

Digital Extremes is the co-creator of Epic’s Unreal franchise, having recently worked on THQ’s Homefront and 2K Games’BioShock (pictured) franchise.