Ubisoft Quebec

{{Infobox company

| name = Ubisoft Quebec

| native_name = Ubisoft Québec

| native_name_lang = fr

| logo = File:Ubisoft Québec.png

| type = Subsidiary

| industry = Video games

| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2005|06|27}}

| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Nicolas Rioux|Andrée Cossette}}

| hq_location_city = Quebec City

| hq_location_country = Canada

| num_locations = 2 offices

| num_locations_year = 2019

| key_people =

| num_employees = 600{{cite web |url=https://quebec.ubisoft.com/fr/emplois/ |title=Our Studio |website=Ubisoft Quebec}}

| num_employees_year = 2023

| parent = Ubisoft

| website = {{URL|https://quebec.ubisoft.com/en/|quebec.ubisoft.com}}

}}

Ubisoft Quebec ({{langx|fr|Ubisoft Québec}}) is a Canadian video game developer and a studio of Ubisoft based in Quebec City. The studio was established in June 2005 and is best known for its work in the Assassin's Creed franchise.

History

File:Ubisoft Quebec office.webm

French video game publisher Ubisoft announced its plans to open a development studio in Quebec City in April 2005.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/gameloft-ubisoft-open-quebec-city-studios |title=Gameloft, Ubisoft Open Quebec City Studios |first=Nich |last=Maragos |date=11 April 2005 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614212110/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/96234/Gameloft_Ubisoft_Open_Quebec_City_Studios.php |archive-date=14 June 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ubisoft-announces-plans-for-new-quebec-studio |title=Ubisoft announces plans for new Quebec studio |first=Ellie |last=Gibson |date=12 April 2005 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610152201/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ubisoft-announces-plans-for-new-quebec-studio |archive-date=10 June 2019 |url-status=live }} The studio, Ubisoft Quebec, was formally opened on 27 June 2005.{{cite web |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/news/329130/Crunch_worklife_balance_and_Assassins_Creed_Odyssey_A_view_from_the_top.php |title=Crunch, work-life balance, and Assassin's Creed Odyssey: A view from the top |first=Kris |last=Graft |date=25 October 2018 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714114549/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/329130/Crunch_worklife_balance_and_Assassins_Creed_Odyssey_A_view_from_the_top.php |archive-date=14 July 2019 |url-status=dead }} Its founders were Nicolas Rioux and Andrée Cossette, of whom Rioux was appointed as general manager.{{cite web |url=https://quebec.ubisoft.com/en/qa-with-andree-cossette/ |title=Q&A With Andrée Cossette, Managing Director at Ubisoft Québec |date=27 November 2019 |website=Ubisoft Quebec}}{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/11/25/how-ubisofts-quebec-city-studio-grew-up-and-took-the-lead-on-assassins-creed-syndicate/ |title=How Ubisoft's Quebec City studio became the master of Assassin's Creed: Syndicate |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=25 November 2015 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224214139/http://venturebeat.com/2015/11/25/how-ubisofts-quebec-city-studio-grew-up-and-took-the-lead-on-assassins-creed-syndicate/ |archive-date=24 December 2016 |url-status=live }} In June 2008, Ubisoft Quebec announced that it had established a computer-generated imagery production arm that would work in conjunction with distributor Guillemot.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/guillemot-to-transform-ubisoft-with-movie-tv-and-sports-projects |title=Guillemot to transform Ubisoft with movie, TV and sports projects |first=Matt |last=Martin |date=2 June 2008 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413113457/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/guillemot-to-transform-ubisoft-with-movie-tv-and-sports-projects |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }} The unit was closed down again with the foundation of Ubisoft Motion Pictures in May 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-05-03-ubisoft-motion-pictures-confirmed |title=Ubisoft confirms founding of Ubisoft Motion Pictures |first=David |last=Jenkins |date=3 May 2011 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413113459/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-05-03-ubisoft-motion-pictures-confirmed |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }}

Longtail Studios's Quebec City development studio was acquired by Ubisoft in March 2010 and merged into Ubisoft Quebec. Forty-eight employees were transferred to Ubisoft Quebec, while another 6–7, including the acquired studio's manager, departed.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/ubisoft-quebec-adds-longtail-studio/ |title=Ubisoft Quebec adds a Longtail studio |first=James |last=Ransom-Wiley |date=3 November 2010 |website=Engadget |access-date=25 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406040719/https://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/ubisoft-quebec-adds-longtail-studio/ |archive-date=6 April 2018 |url-status=live }} In June 2013, François Pelland was appointed as Ubisoft Quebec's executive director of development.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-06-04-ubisoft-quebec-appoints-new-executive-director-of-development |title=Ubisoft Quebec appoints new executive director of development |first=Mike |last=Williams |date=4 June 2013 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413113454/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-06-04-ubisoft-quebec-appoints-new-executive-director-of-development |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/06/05/ubisoft-quebec-city-taps-francois-pelland-as-executive-director/ |title=Ubisoft Quebec City taps François Pelland as executive director |first=David |last=Hinkle |date=6 May 2013 |website=Engadget |access-date=25 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135930/https://www.engadget.com/2013/06/05/ubisoft-quebec-city-taps-francois-pelland-as-executive-director/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }} In September 2013, Ubisoft announced its intent to invest {{CA$|373 million|link=yes}} in Ubisoft Quebec over seven years to create up to 500 jobs.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-30-ubisoft-quebec-operations-will-employ-3500-by-2020 |title=Ubisoft Quebec operations will employ 3,500 by 2020 |first=Mike |last=Williams |date=30 September 2013 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413113455/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-30-ubisoft-quebec-operations-will-employ-3500-by-2020 |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/10/ubisoft_quebec_planning_major_expansion_of_workforce |title=Ubisoft Quebec Planning Major Expansion of Workforce |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |date=1 October 2013 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413113451/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/10/ubisoft_quebec_planning_major_expansion_of_workforce |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }} A first investment of {{CA$|28 million}} in January 2014 opened 100 positions.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-01-24-ubisoft-to-create-100-new-jobs-in-quebec-city-studio |title=Ubisoft to create 100 new jobs in Quebec City studio |first=Matthew |last=Handrahan |date=24 January 2014 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523224252/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-01-24-ubisoft-to-create-100-new-jobs-in-quebec-city-studio |archive-date=23 May 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/ubisoft-expanding-its-development-operations-in-quebec |title=Ubisoft expanding its development operations in Quebec |first=Mike |last=Rose |date=24 January 2014 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413113449/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/209234/Ubisoft_expanding_its_development_operations_in_Quebec.php |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }} Following onto another {{CA$|4 million}} investment in July 2014, Ubisoft Quebec stated that it would move to new offices in the Saint-Roch neighbourhood of Quebec City and open another 100 positions.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-07-02-ubisoft-expands-quebec-studio-to-head-production-on-new-assassins-creed |title=Ubisoft expands Quebec studio to head production on new Assassin's Creed |first=James |last=Brightman |date=2 July 2014 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413113455/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-07-02-ubisoft-expands-quebec-studio-to-head-production-on-new-assassins-creed |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }}

When Rioux became "vice president of technology" for all of Ubisoft's Canadian studios in November 2017, Patrick Klaus was appointed Ubisoft Quebec's managing director, with Cossette as associate managing director.{{cite web |url=https://www.lesoleil.com/affaires/nouvelle-direction-chez-ubisoft-fc4c189e16c71f4a12e10c694cb60f6c |title=Nouvelle direction chez Ubisoft |language=fr |trans-title=New management at Ubisoft |first=Yves |last=Therrien |date=28 November 2017 |website=Le Soleil}} In December 2018, Mike Laidlaw joined the studio as creative director, having previously stepped down from the same position at BioWare,{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/5/18127232/mike-laidlaw-ubisoft-quebec-city |title=BioWare veteran Mike Laidlaw joins Ubisoft |first=Owen S. |last=Good |date=5 December 2018 |website=Polygon |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206235048/https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/5/18127232/mike-laidlaw-ubisoft-quebec-city |archive-date=6 December 2018 |url-status=live }} before departing again in February 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/1/21118420/mike-laidlaw-dragon-age-designer-ubisoft-quebec-leaves |title=Dragon Age creator Mike Laidlaw departs Ubisoft after just a year |first=Owen S. |last=Good |date=1 February 2020 |website=Polygon}} The Saint-Roch location, known as UbiNord, was opened in April 2019.{{cite web |url=https://quebec.ubisoft.com/en/ubinord-opening/ |title=UbiNord Opening: A Monday Like No Other |date=24 April 2019 |website=Ubisoft Quebec}} Cossette succeeded Klaus as managing director in November 2019, after Klaus had left the studio earlier that year.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-12-12-motive-gm-establishes-means-and-opportunity |title=Motive GM establishes means and opportunity |first=Brendan |last=Sinclair |date=12 December 2019 |website=GamesIndustry.biz}} Cossette left Ubisoft Quebec in July 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-07-24-ubisoft-quebec-managing-director-steps-down |title=Ubisoft Quebec managing director steps down |first=Brendan |last=Sinclair |date=24 July 2020 |website=GamesIndustry.biz}}

Games developed

After developing expansion packs for Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Ubisoft Quebec became the first Ubisoft studio outside Ubisoft Montreal to lead the development of a mainline Assassin's Creed game.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/how-multiple-ubisoft-studios-make-so-many-assassin-s-cr-1824298939 |title=How Ubisoft Makes So Many Assassin's Creed Games |first=Stephen |last=Totilo |date=3 April 2018 |website=Kotaku |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406184016/https://kotaku.com/how-multiple-ubisoft-studios-make-so-many-assassin-s-cr-1824298939 |archive-date=6 April 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/02/new-assassins-creed-game-to-be-developed-by-ubisoft-quebec |title=New Assassin's Creed Game to be Developed by Ubisoft Quebec |first=Jimmy |last=Champane |date=2 July 2014 |website=IGN |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413113453/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/02/new-assassins-creed-game-to-be-developed-by-ubisoft-quebec |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }} The studio's first Assassin's Creed game was Assassin's Creed Syndicate, which was released in October 2015, and continued with Assassin's Creed Odyssey, released in October 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-09-26-how-odyssey-is-changing-the-face-of-assassins-creed |title=How Odyssey is changing the face of Assassin's Creed |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=26 September 2018 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210122646/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-09-26-how-odyssey-is-changing-the-face-of-assassins-creed |archive-date=10 February 2019 |url-status=live }}

The studio ventured into mobile game development, collaborating with Ubisoft Montreal on Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Mobile for Android and iOS, announced on April 5, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Ubisoft Québec |first= |title=This is the beginning of the Rainbow Six Mobile adventure in partnership with Ubisoft Montréal. |url=https://twitter.com/ubisoftquebec/status/1511372954327781384 |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Twitter |language=en}} The title is the adapted version for mobile devices of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, a successful tactical shooter game belonging to the Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six series, which Ubisoft Montreal released in December 2015 for PC and consoles.{{Cite web |title=Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege {{!}} Ubisoft (US) |url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/rainbow-six/siege |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=www.ubisoft.com |language=en-us}}