Ubisoft Cancels a Bunch of Games, Gets PC-Centric
A series of major reorganizations at Ubisoft has resulted in the cancellation of multiple products in development - but we don't know which ones.
The world of a major videogame publisher can be a tricky one, as you try to adapt to major new trends in the marketplace like mobile and social gaming. Sometimes, trying to meet those new demands means you need to sacrifice elsewhere.
In Ubisoft's annual financial report released today, the publisher noted precisely that: "Ubisoft has taken measures to adapt its structure to major changes in the industry by reorganising the roles and operations of its studios, which has resulted in the termination of certain projects."
No word on what games were canceled as of yet - it could be the long-languishing Beyond Good and Evil 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89972-I-Am-Alive-Gets-Shanghaied], or perhaps some titles we haven't even heard of. A safe bet is that Assassins' Creed: Revelations is probably not on the chopping block, given the popularity of the franchise.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot also said that Ubisoft would be announcing a major PC-based title shortly. "In the coming days, we will officially announce an ambitious project on PC based on one of our top gamer franchises that will illustrate our capacity to take advantage of new business models," he announced.
New business models on PC and one of Ubisoft's top franchises? I think I hear the ka-ching of something like Assassin's Creed: Free-to-Play Online, but I could just be imagining it.
There will be a financial conference call with Guillemot and Ubisoft's top brass later today. Perhaps we'll learn more about the cancellations and this new PC title then.
(Eurogamer [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-12-ubisoft-cancels-a-number-of-games])
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The world of a major videogame publisher can be a tricky one, as you try to adapt to major new trends in the marketplace like mobile and social gaming. Sometimes, trying to meet those new demands means you need to sacrifice elsewhere.
In Ubisoft's annual financial report released today, the publisher noted precisely that: "Ubisoft has taken measures to adapt its structure to major changes in the industry by reorganising the roles and operations of its studios, which has resulted in the termination of certain projects."
No word on what games were canceled as of yet - it could be the long-languishing Beyond Good and Evil 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89972-I-Am-Alive-Gets-Shanghaied], or perhaps some titles we haven't even heard of. A safe bet is that Assassins' Creed: Revelations is probably not on the chopping block, given the popularity of the franchise.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot also said that Ubisoft would be announcing a major PC-based title shortly. "In the coming days, we will officially announce an ambitious project on PC based on one of our top gamer franchises that will illustrate our capacity to take advantage of new business models," he announced.
New business models on PC and one of Ubisoft's top franchises? I think I hear the ka-ching of something like Assassin's Creed: Free-to-Play Online, but I could just be imagining it.
There will be a financial conference call with Guillemot and Ubisoft's top brass later today. Perhaps we'll learn more about the cancellations and this new PC title then.
(Eurogamer [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-12-ubisoft-cancels-a-number-of-games])
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