As a part of a wide-ranging interview, Ubisoft President Yves Guillemot was requested about the way forward for the corporate and her place inside it, and likewise revealed that a number of Far Cry titles are in growth.
In an interview with Selection, Guillemot was requested about his plans for Ubisoft following the corporate’s current restructuring and continued job losses (one other 40 positions have been confirmed to be eradicated in a single day).
There have been additionally questions on his private response to the current workers strike that has sparked new requires his resignation, in addition to persistent discontent over the appointment of his son Charlie Gilmo as co-CEO of Vantage Studios, the division that at the moment oversees Ubisoft’s most prized franchises, Far Cry and Murderer’s Creed.
“Expectations are excessive for Far Cry, and we at the moment have two very promising tasks in growth,” Guillemot mentioned, with out offering additional particulars. The final title within the collection, Far Cry 6, was launched in 2021. Earlier studies urged that the subsequent installment would supply an much more radical improve to the collection’ regular components.
Concerning Murderer’s Creed, Guilmo mentioned the corporate is growing “a number of titles” that embody each single-player and multiplayer experiences. Again in 2022, Ubisoft introduced plenty of upcoming video games, together with the at the moment obtainable Murderer’s Creed: Shadows, the magic-inspired Murderer’s Creed: Hex (one other single-player epic), and Invictus (a multiplayer recreation). The corporate can be broadly anticipated to announce the long-awaited remake of Black Flag quickly.
Requested about accusations of nepotism surrounding the Vantage Studios announcement, Guillemot mentioned: “Ubisoft was based as a household firm and our robust heritage permits us to take a long-term view and prioritize sustainable development, artistic ambition and continuity over short-term cycles.” βThis attitude guides our choices and helps us construct franchises, groups and techniques that may final for many years.
“I strongly imagine that Christophe Delenne and Charlie are the proper leaders to function co-CEOs of Vantage Studios. They create complementary strengths and expertise and are ideally suited to this function. Their appointment is predicated on their expertise, monitor document and suitability for the function.”
Requested in regards to the remake of the not too long ago scrapped Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Guillemo was requested how lengthy the venture had been within the works, however declined to supply additional particulars. Numerous growth groups spent six months engaged on the venture, and the actress who supposedly performed one of many important characters mentioned she misplaced three years of labor afterwards.
When requested how Ubisoft is addressing worker considerations, significantly concerning layoffs and advantages, Guillemot continued, “We absolutely perceive the reliable considerations of our groups in France and world wide.” Guillemot was additionally requested to answer requires his resignation, however he didn’t straight handle this.
“Ubisoft goes via a significant part of transformation, impacting our group, operations and tradition. I acknowledge that modifications of this magnitude naturally elevate questions and create pressure, particularly after they affect folks’s every day lives. My dedication is to hear, lead responsibly, and interact my crew. On the identical time, we can not ignore that we’re a part of an trade that’s extra aggressive and demanding than ever. Delivering on the degree of high quality and ambition that gamers anticipate requires robust collaboration and pace.”The selections we’re making are guided by that actuality.
βMy important focus now’s the transformation of our firm, guaranteeing the long-term monetary sustainability of Ubisoft and delivering video games of the very best customary,β he concluded.
Tom Phillips is videogameaddicted’s information editor. You’ll be able to contact Tom at tom_phillips@videogameaddicted.com or discover him on Bluesky. @tomphillipseg.bsky.social