Ubisoft Quebec

Ubisoft Quebec is a Canadian video-game development studio and a wholly owned part of Ubisoft, based in Quebec City. Ubisoft announced plans for the studio in April 2005, and it formally opened on 27 June 2005. Nicolas Rioux and Andrée Cossette were associated with the studio's founding, with Rioux becoming its initial general manager. The studio was established as part of Ubisoft's broader expansion of game development in Canada and has since become one of the publisher's principal creative locations outside Montreal. In its early years, Ubisoft Quebec worked on supporting content and expansion projects connected with Ubisoft franchises, including projects related to Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. In 2010, Ubisoft acquired Longtail Studios' Quebec City development operation and integrated it into Ubisoft Quebec; 48 employees transferred, while several others, including the acquired studio's manager, left. The integration expanded the Quebec studio's local development capacity. Ubisoft Quebec later moved from a support role to leading major entries in the Assassin's Creed series. It became the first Ubisoft studio outside Ubisoft Montreal to lead development of a mainline Assassin's Creed game, with Assassin's Creed Syndicate, released in October 2015. The studio subsequently led Assassin's Creed Odyssey, released in October 2018. These productions established Ubisoft Quebec as a major internal Ubisoft team with responsibility for large-scale open-world action games, narrative design, systems, technology, and production coordination. Ubisoft announced a substantial long-term investment in the studio in September 2013, committing CA$373 million over seven years with the stated goal of creating up to 500 jobs. A CA$28 million phase announced in January 2014 opened 100 positions, followed by a further CA$4 million investment in July 2014 and plans for another 100 positions. The studio later moved to new premises in Quebec City's Saint-Roch neighbourhood. The site, known as UbiNord, opened in April 2019. The studio has also participated in projects beyond the core Assassin's Creed releases. In 2022, Ubisoft announced that Ubisoft Quebec would collaborate with Ubisoft Montreal on Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Mobile, a mobile adaptation of the Rainbow Six Siege formula for Android and iOS devices. Ubisoft Quebec's profile therefore combines large-scale franchise leadership with collaboration across Ubisoft's international development network. Its principal business is the creation of interactive entertainment software rather than the publication, retailing, or independent ownership of the Ubisoft brands it develops.

Ubisoft Quebec was announced by Ubisoft in April 2005 as a new development studio intended to strengthen the publisher's presence in Quebec City. It formally opened on 27 June 2005. Nicolas Rioux and Andrée Cossette were associated with its founding, and Rioux became the studio's initial general manager. The studio initially contributed to Ubisoft projects through supporting development and expansion work. In June 2008, it announced a computer-generated imagery unit that was to work with distributor Guillemot. That operation did not continue after Ubisoft created Ubisoft Motion Pictures in May 2011. In March 2010, Ubisoft acquired Longtail Studios' Quebec City development studio and merged it into Ubisoft Quebec. Forty-eight employees joined the Ubisoft operation, while several other employees, including the acquired studio's manager, departed. Ubisoft Quebec expanded substantially during the 2010s. François Pelland became executive director of development in June 2013. In September of that year, Ubisoft announced a planned CA$373 million investment over seven years, with the potential creation of up to 500 jobs. A first CA$28 million investment announced in January 2014 created 100 positions. A further CA$4 million investment announced in July 2014 supported another 100 positions and the planned move to offices in Quebec City's Saint-Roch neighbourhood. The studio's most important creative transition was its move into leadership of mainline Assassin's Creed releases. After contributing to expansion content associated with Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Ubisoft Quebec became the first Ubisoft studio outside Ubisoft Montreal to lead a principal Assassin's Creed game. Assassin's Creed Syndicate launched in October 2015, followed by Assassin's Creed Odyssey in October 2018. These games made Ubisoft Quebec one of Ubisoft's most prominent studios for large-scale open-world productions. Leadership changed during the later 2010s. Rioux moved into a technology leadership role across Ubisoft's Canadian studios in November 2017, and Patrick Klaus became Ubisoft Quebec's managing director, with Cossette serving as associate managing director. Mike Laidlaw joined in December 2018 as creative director after leaving a comparable role at BioWare, but departed in February 2020. The UbiNord facility opened in April 2019. Klaus left the studio earlier in 2019, after which Cossette became managing director in November; she departed in July 2020. Ubisoft Quebec has also worked outside the main Assassin's Creed pipeline. In 2022, Ubisoft announced its collaboration with Ubisoft Montreal on Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Mobile, an Android and iOS adaptation connected to the Rainbow Six Siege franchise. The studio remains an Ubisoft-owned development operation rather than an independently branded publisher, and its work is generally released through Ubisoft's global publishing organization.

• 2022

  Rainbow Six Mobile collaboration announced

  [1]Ubisoft Quebecen.wikipedia.org

  Ubisoft Quebec is announced as a collaborating studio on Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Mobile.

• 2019

  UbiNord opens

  [1]Ubisoft Quebecen.wikipedia.org

  The studio opens its new Saint-Roch neighbourhood facility in Quebec City.

• 2018

  Assassin's Creed Odyssey launches

  [1]Ubisoft Quebecen.wikipedia.org

  Ubisoft Quebec leads development of the next major Assassin's Creed entry.

• 2015

  Assassin's Creed Syndicate launches

  [1]Ubisoft Quebecen.wikipedia.org

  The studio leads its first mainline Assassin's Creed game.

• 2013

  Long-term expansion investment announced

  [1]Ubisoft Quebecen.wikipedia.org

  Ubisoft announces a CA$373 million, seven-year investment plan for Ubisoft Quebec and potential creation of up to 500 jobs.

• 2010

  Longtail Quebec operation acquired

  [1]Ubisoft Quebecen.wikipedia.org

  Ubisoft acquires and integrates Longtail Studios' Quebec City development operation.

• 2008

  CGI production arm announced

  [1]Ubisoft Quebecen.wikipedia.org

  The studio establishes a computer-generated imagery production unit intended to work with Guillemot.

• 2005

  Studio formally opens

  [1]Ubisoft Quebecen.wikipedia.org

  Ubisoft Quebec officially opens in Quebec City on 27 June after Ubisoft announced the project earlier in the year.

A major Ubisoft first-party development studio specializing in large-scale action-adventure and open-world franchise games.

• Downloadable content and expansion development

  Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag expansion work

  Before leading complete mainline releases, Ubisoft Quebec contributed to expansion and supporting development associated with Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. This work helped establish the studio's experience with Ubisoft's large-scale historical action-adventure production pipeline.

• Console and PC action-adventure game · 2015

  Assassin's Creed Syndicate

  Released in October 2015, Assassin's Creed Syndicate was Ubisoft Quebec's first mainline Assassin's Creed game as lead studio. It is an open-world action-adventure title set in Victorian London and marked the Quebec team’s emergence as a principal Ubisoft franchise developer.

• Console and PC action role-playing game · 2018

  Assassin's Creed Odyssey

  Released in October 2018, Assassin's Creed Odyssey was led by Ubisoft Quebec and continued the studio's role in developing expansive, choice-oriented historical open-world games within the Assassin's Creed franchise.

• Mobile tactical shooter · 2022

  Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Mobile

  Announced in 2022, Rainbow Six Mobile is a mobile adaptation of the Rainbow Six Siege formula for Android and iOS. Ubisoft Quebec collaborates with Ubisoft Montreal on the project rather than serving as its sole developer.

• 2013

  Expand Ubisoft Quebec through a multiyear investmentStrategy

  Background

  Ubisoft sought to enlarge its Canadian development network and increase Quebec City's capacity for major game production.

  Action taken

  The company announced a planned CA$373 million investment over seven years, with the potential creation of up to 500 jobs.

  Aftermath

  Subsequent investments created additional positions and supported the studio's move to the UbiNord facility.

  Planned investment. CA$373 million (Seven-year plan announced in 2013)

  Source

• 2010

  Integrate Longtail Studios' Quebec development operationM&A

  Background

  Ubisoft expanded its Quebec City development resources through the acquisition of a local Longtail Studios operation.

  Action taken

  The acquired studio was merged into Ubisoft Quebec, with 48 employees transferring.

  Aftermath

  The integration increased Ubisoft Quebec's staff and development capacity.

  Source

1. 1Ubisoft Quebecen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Ubisoft Quebec official studio pageubisoft.com