Vantage Studios at the heart of Ubisoft’s strategy
With lots of canceled projects, it’s hard to know what Ubisoft’s line-up will look like in the coming years. Well, almost, since we obviously expect that licenses Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry And Rainbow Six are omnipresent. Licenses today managed by Vantage Studios, the group’s first subsidiary, or “Creative House”, whose plans Yves Guillemot discusses in this interview.
The CEO therefore declares that two games Far Cry are currently in developmentwhich we already knew more or less thanks to a few leaks. Logically, it would be on one side of Far Cry 7and on the other of a Far Cry multiplayer oriented. Yves Guillemot also indicates that several games Assassin’s Creed are in development, despite a recent one being cancelled. Again, it promises both single-player and multiplayer.
At the same time, he also mentions the case of Rayman, who recently returned to the forefront with Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition :
“ As for the future of “Rayman,” we are constantly looking to evolve and reinvent our iconic licenses for all generations of gamers. We can’t reveal any details yet, but we look forward to telling you more soon. »
Here again, we already know more or less what is going on given that Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Milan are working on a real new episode for the saga. The important thing for Yves Guillemot seems to be to be present in as many markets as possible, with as many genres covered. This is why Ubisoft recently acquired the MOBA March of Giantsby recovering it from the hands of Amazon:
“ The acquisition of March of Giants presented itself as an obvious opportunity and happened very naturally. The March of Giants team wanted Ubisoft to be considered among potential buyers, which speaks to the trust and mutual respect that unites us, especially since several members of the team are former Rainbow Six developers. We are not yet present in the MOBA market and entry into this genre requires international level expertise. This team brings solid experience in competitive multiplayer and a performance culture that perfectly matches ours. »
Too smooth a speech on the problems facing Ubisoft
Yves Guillemot did not just answer questions about his portfolio, since Ubisoft news is today shaken up by several controversies. Regarding the recent layoffs, the CEO said nothing other than what was expected of him, which was the same cold speech he addressed to shareholders:
“ After the post-Covid period, the sector experienced meteoric growth, anticipating sustained demand which did not fully materialize. For our part, this has led to a multiplication of projects and increased complexity. Our priority today is to build a more focused and agile company, with more efficient teams, combining the expertise of seniors and young talents, and capable of offering games of the highest quality. Above all, our responsibility is to manage this transition with the utmost thought and professionalism, with respect and support for our teams, while ensuring that Ubisoft remains a strong, resilient and future-ready company. »
Regarding the recent strike movement that took place in France and other countries and what he thinks of the unions, he adds:
“ I fully understand the legitimate concerns of our teams in France and around the world. Ubisoft is going through a major transformation phase that impacts our organization, our operations and our culture. Changes of this magnitude naturally raise questions and create tension, especially when they disrupt daily life, and I am aware of that. My commitment is to listen, lead responsibly and maintain the engagement of our teams. At the same time, we cannot ignore that we operate in an industry that is more competitive and demanding than ever. Delivering the level of quality and ambition that our players expect requires strong cohesion, great responsiveness and close collaboration. The decisions we make are guided by this reality. My current priorities are our transformation, ensuring Ubisoft’s financial security and creating the best games. To conclude, regarding your question about unions, I think that greater transparency and open dialogue with our teams, in all its forms and particularly in times of significant change, is essential. »
Variety also did not hesitate to ask him about the appointment of Charlie Guillemot as co-leader of Vantage Studios, which has raised criticism of nepotism, to which Yves Guillemot responds that Ubisoft has always been a family business, while adding the layer of tongue-in-cheek that is necessary to address this issue.