Ubisoft Forms New Subsidiary: Vantage Studios Takes Charge of Key Franchises
Ubisoft embarked on a global reorganization earlier this spring, aiming to improve its financial standing and streamline operations. The first concrete outcome of this ongoing process has been the formation of Vantage Studios, a new subsidiary tasked with the continued development and oversight of three of Ubisoft's most iconic franchises: Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.
The creation of Vantage Studios represents a significant step in Ubisoft's broader restructuring efforts. According to a recent letter from CEO Yves Guillemot, the company plans to establish a series of what it calls 'creative houses.' Each of these will operate with a degree of autonomy, focusing on different assets within the parent company. Ubisoft states that the core purpose of these 'creative houses' is to foster stronger and deeper connections between developers and players.
In an official statement, Ubisoft explained, "The company plans to create additional creative divisions and unite its brands and franchises under a common banner, leveraging development expertise. The goal of Vantage Studios and future creative houses is to foster stronger and deeper connections between developers and players. This streamlined approach will provide developers with a higher level of autonomy, as well as reduce the time between gathering and analyzing player feedback, while leveraging Ubisoft's expertise, services, tools, and technologies."
While Vantage Studios will enjoy increased autonomy, it will not be entirely independent. The new division reports directly to Ubisoft's main leadership and is comprised of existing staff from various Ubisoft studios, including Ubisoft Montréal, Ubisoft Québec, Ubisoft Saguenay, Ubisoft Sherbrooke, Ubisoft Barcelona, and Ubisoft Sofia. The studio is jointly led by Charlie Guillemot and Christophe Derennes.
Notably, Chinese tech giant Tencent holds a significant stake in this new venture. Tencent has acquired 25% of the shares, reportedly investing around 1.16 billion euros into Vantage Studios, assuming April's investment figures remain current. This investment further cements Tencent's growing influence within the global gaming industry.
For players, this restructuring could signal a more focused and responsive approach to the development of beloved franchises. The emphasis on developer autonomy and improved feedback loops suggests that future titles in the Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six series might benefit from more direct engagement with their communities and a clearer creative vision, potentially leading to higher quality and more player-centric experiences.
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