Ubisoft Montreal conducting 'thorough analysis' of THQ acquisition

Ubisoft Montreal head Yannis Mallat talks about how they're integrating the studio's staff and current projects, but shies away from talk about staff reductions or the legal hurdles surrounding South Park: The Stick of Truth.

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Ubisoft already had a presence in the great white north of Montreal, but it got a whole lot bigger with the announcement that it was welcoming THQ Montreal into the fold. Ubisoft Montreal head Yannis Mallat has talked about the acquisition positively, but suggested that a lot of the decisions regarding staff and current projects are in the process of being evaluated.

"What I can tell you right now is that we're entering a phase where we're going into a more thorough analysis of everything here and in the coming weeks we'll make up a plan for continuing operations with this new studio," Mallat told Financial Post.

He says it's too early to talk about the possibility of staff reductions, as the company is "evaluating literally everything" as of today. "But I can tell you this, we had and we still have very ambitious plans in terms of growth even before this acquistion and this is really something that we are very thrilled about because we are welcoming those guys are they are going to help us make all these great games that we plan to ship in the coming years." He also mentioned that one notable staff member, Patrice Desilets, would be welcome at the studio if he wanted to stay.

Meanwhile, the legal roadblocks surrounding South Park: The Stick of Truth don't seem to have shaken Mallat. "Well, the game is in development and I guess that some teams will have a look at the game, but for sure we've just acquired the development of the game, so we're going to work with the development studio on that and the plan is to publish the game." Asked if he had an official comment on the legal hurdles, he said "absolutely not."

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    January 25, 2013 11:30 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Ubisoft Montreal conducting 'thorough analysis' of THQ acquisition.

    Ubisoft Montreal head Yannis Mallat talks about how they're integrating the studio's staff and current projects, but shies away from talk about staff reductions or the legal hurdles surrounding South Park: The Stick of Truth.

    • reply
      January 25, 2013 12:14 PM

      I'd rather quit my job and mooch off my girlfriend for half a year than being forced to work for Ubisoft.

      After all, you've got to stick to your principals.

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        January 25, 2013 12:33 PM

        In this economy, especially with the volatile nature of Gaming Industry Development I would not risk turning down the job.

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          January 25, 2013 2:04 PM

          The game industry is honestly not doing that bad, you just have to be willing to move to work, because there are jobs everywhere, just not necessarily in the town you live in.

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        January 25, 2013 3:15 PM

        and your principals are based on? I know a bunch of ppl working for ubi mtl and they all seem to like it.

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        January 25, 2013 4:04 PM

        Eh. I worked there four years on the publishing side for some amazing games. I still got annoyed any time we had another DRM FUBAR but it was a pleasure and honor to work on some amazing stuff like Far Cry, Rainbow Six and Assassin's Creed with some great people.

        Are you honestly telling me if they rocked up and offered you a job in your chosen field you'd turn them down? They're not evil dude.

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        January 25, 2013 5:16 PM

        Your high school principal? Junior high?

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      January 25, 2013 3:34 PM

      Because THQ was so much better?

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      January 25, 2013 4:56 PM

      Hey Patrice, we've got this series called Assassin's Creed. We've hit a few speed bumps with the last installment and we think you're the right man to help us get the new one on track for November. And if not there's always the one for november 2014, or 2015, or 2016....

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