Ubisoft Plans to Expand Again with Ubisoft Saguenay

Ubisoft, best known for titles such as Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, Splinter Cell, and Far Cry, are getting bigger.  The developer with studios all over the world is increasing their presence in the Canadian province of Quebec with a new studio, Ubisoft Saguenay. Operations will commence in early 2018 and are expected to house a team of 125 employees within the first five years of operation.

Yannis Mallat, CEO of Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Quebec, and Ubisoft Toronto indicated that online services and technology will be the core focus of Ubisoft Saguenay. Mallat said:

We are entrusting Ubisoft Saguenay with a mandate that is resolutely focused on the future. The development of connected experiences that allow millions of players to meet and interact on online game platforms is a leading growth and innovation driver not only for Ubisoft, but for the entire videogame industry as a whole

With the creation of a new studio, Ubisoft has also signaled its commitment to build upon its other, already established, entities in Quebec. Overall, the strategy involves the company’s commitment to invest $780 million in the province that will result in over 1,000 new jobs.  Ubisoft Montreal will receive the lion’s share of this investment which is expected to spin-off into 675 new jobs. Another 200 new jobs are expected to be added at Ubisoft Quebec in Quebec city. The expansions are significant as Ubisoft Montreal already employs upwards of 3,000 staff and Ubisoft Quebec has 450 on the payroll.

Ubisoft’s next big release will be Assassin’s Creed Origins releasing October 27, 2017. The title is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal and will be available on Xbox One, PS4, and MS Windows. The game will take place of Ancient Ptolemaic Egypt and features a storyline that recounts the genesis of the millennium old conflict between the Assassins and the Templars. The conflict has been the unlying theme of the series since its inception over a decade ago.