Video game publisher Ubisoft plans to construct a new production center focused on the creation of CG-animated movies. Based in Montreal, Canada, the studio will initially produce short films that draw inspiration from the company’s game franchises, the first being an eight-minute movie based on the highly anticipated title Assassin’s Creed. Ubisoft hopes to have the new facility staffed with 500 artists by 2013.
The CG animation unit is part of a new phase of development for Ubisoft’s operations in Quebec. The company, which employs more than 1,600 people in the province, could invest as much as $383.9 million over the next six years in building up a team of 3,000 game and animation employees. Both the Quebec and Canadian governments will continue to strongly support the company in its expansion efforts, which include creating 500 new video game positions by 2013
“Video game production has progressively moved closer and closer to film and television production and this convergence will only intensify in the coming years,’ says Ubisoft chief exec officer and co-founder Yves Guillemot. ‘This natural evolution is accompanied by revolutionary changes in online distribution channels via the explosion of free and paid-for digital content. Today’s launch of a studio specializing in digital film creation will allow Ubisoft to be a pioneer in the domain for the years to come.’
Yannis Mallat, chief exec officer of Ubisoft’s Montreal studio, adds, “With this announcement, we are one step closer to reaching our goal of making Ubsisoft’s Montreal studio the most important center for video game development in the world, and especially to reinforce Quebec’s position as a reference in the creation of digital entertainment.’
Ubisoft, which has offices in 21 countries, expanded its operations to Montreal in 1997, establishing a development studio for console and PC video games. The company hoped to create 800 jobs over the following ten years, but has instead doubled that number. Ubisoft products are sold in more than 50 countries around the world, generating sales of more than $711 million for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
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