Video game giant Ubisoft doubles down on Quebec

Ubisoft, a cornerstone of Montreal’s huge gaming industry since 1997, has announced, in league with Quebec’s provincial government, the investment of $373 million to put towards a new studio and the creation of 500 new jobs, adding to the 2,300-strong roster in its Montreal office and its 300 employees in Quebec City.Ubisoft, a cornerstone of Montreal’s huge gaming industry since 1997, has announced, in league with Quebec’s provincial government, the investment of $373 million to put towards a new studio and the creation of 500 new jobs, adding to the 2,300-strong roster in its Montreal office and its 300 employees in Quebec City. The new hires will take place over the course of the next seven years.

“The imminent arrival of next-generation consoles, expansion of mobile platforms, multiplication of connected, immersive and social environments, along with the strategic importance of developer-player relationships, are transforming the video gaming industry,” said Ubisoft co-founder and CEO Yves Guillemot.

The company will, according to executive director Alain Corre, keep its focus on current-gen, more than next-gen, consoles and gaming. It’s not as though Ubisoft has given up on meeting the demands of forward-looking gamers, however. Corre points out that “the market is very large and there’s room for everybody and for every great game.” With the new investment, the company will expand its focus towards mobile and online gaming.

The 3rd largest game developer in Europe, Montreuil, France-based Ubisoft Entertainment SA operates 26 studios in nine countries. The plan was developed with Montreal International, a private-public not-for-profit charged with promoting the city’s growth. Ubisoft says it will employ more than 3,500 staff at its studios in Montreal and Quebec City by 2020.

Ubisoft’s roster of games includes the Assassin’s Creed and Prince of Persia franchises, as well as the recently acquired South Park: The Stick of Truth.

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