Ubisoft’s monumental restructuring – which noticed it create 5 “inventive homes,” delay a number of initiatives, and throw six extra within the trash – has led to quite a lot of comprehensible angst about what’s and is not being developed proper now. The one challenge we formally know of that bought scrapped is the Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake, which additionally confirmed simply how cutthroat Ubisoft has been, given the way it appeared prefer it was lastly on a strong path to launch. Now, in a brand new interview, CEO Yves Guillemot has lifted the lid ever so barely wider as to what Ubisoft continues to be engaged on following its reorganization.
“We’ve a strong pipeline underway throughout Vantage Studios,” Guillemot tells Selection when requested concerning the Tencent-backed inventive home that’s now house to Ubisoft’s largest franchises. “Below the Murderer’s Creed model, a number of titles are in growth, spanning each single-player and multiplayer experiences, with the ambition to additional develop a neighborhood that exceeded 30 million gamers final 12 months.”
As for Far Cry, it could come as no shock to listen to that the inevitable Far Cry 7 had survived and was in growth. Nonetheless, Guillemot confirms that two “very promising” Far Cry initiatives are literally being labored on proper now. This traces up with previous experiences that, alongside the mainline sequel, an extraction shooter-esque spinoff was additionally within the combine. Nonetheless, the principle supply for these claims, Insider Gaming, says that this multiplayer Far Cry challenge has undergone a number of reworks and shifts throughout growth, so the precise model of gameplay continues to be onerous to name.
Guillemot additionally talks about his ambition to additional develop a few of its largest sequence. “Open world journey franchises like Murderer’s Creed, Far Cry, Ghost Recon, The Division, and lots of others have unbelievable potential, and we need to attain new gamers, supply recent experiences, and hold our communities engaged over time.” In fact, I’ve already commented on Murderer’s Creed and Far Cry, so no surprises there. We additionally know that The Division 3 is in growth, so once more, that is not a shock. It’s attention-grabbing to listen to Ghost Recon getting thrown into that blend, although. Whereas Guillemot appeared to let slip in an investor name final 12 months {that a} new Ghost Recon recreation was within the works, nothing has been formally introduced about it, nevertheless it feels like this challenge has additionally survived the cull if the Ubisoft boss sees it as a franchise he needs to develop.
As is anticipated, given it solely not too long ago acquired the sport from Amazon, bold steampunk MOBA March of Giants can be nonetheless alive and effectively. “We’re not but a participant within the multiplayer on-line battle enviornment area and coming into that style requires world-class experience,” Guillemot says. “This group brings deep aggressive multiplayer expertise and a performance-driven tradition that aligns completely with ours.”
Whereas Ubisoft is closely refocusing on its present manufacturers and turning into extra risk-adverse, Guillemot says that absolutely unique concepts usually are not fully off the desk, and likewise confirms “a number of new IPs” are being labored on.
“Our Artistic Homes are above all answerable for growing our established manufacturers, and the potential is big,” he says. “The mannequin additionally permits centered innovation for each present manufacturers and new IP. Groups focus on genres and experiences they know finest, whereas nonetheless having the liberty to pitch distinctive concepts. Compelling ideas are evaluated and assigned to the correct group for growth. We have already got a number of new IPs in progress and look ahead to sharing extra quickly.” March of Giants is presumably included in that, however meaning no less than a pair extra are being labored on too.
When it comes to the six video games that did get reduce, Guillemot sadly peddles the identical line that was shared in Ubisoft’s preliminary announcement of the cancelations. Alongside the Sands of Time remake, there have been “4 unannounced titles (together with three new IPs), and a cell title.”
