Ubisoft and Tencent Launch Vantage Studios to Manage Far Cry, Rainbow Six, and Assassin’s Creed Games

Ubisoft Forms Vantage Studios: A New Era for Iconic Franchises

Over six months have passed since the joint announcement by Ubisoft and Tencent regarding a new subsidiary aimed at fostering some of Ubisoft’s most beloved franchises, including Rainbow Six, Far Cry, and Assassin’s Creed. This partnership sees Tencent acquiring a significant 25% stake in the studio through an investment of 1.16 billion euros. Today, we formally introduce this new entity: Vantage Studios.

Leadership and Vision of Vantage Studios

In a move that signals a generation shift within Ubisoft, Vantage Studios will be co-led by Charlie Guillemot—son of Ubisoft’s CEO—and Christophe Derennes. Their agenda focuses on creating narrative-driven games, expanding Ubisoft’s mobile portfolio, and enhancing live service as well as multiplayer experiences.

Ubisoft disclosed the studio’s name in a recent blog post, emphasizing its role as a “creative house” responsible for managing the development of major franchises.

“Vantage Studios will take on development and expansion of these brands, building on the foundation of Ubisoft’s experience and expertise, sharing services and technical resources, all while giving developers more hands-on control over the games they are building.”

Future Expansion Plans

One of the most compelling aspects highlighted in the announcement is that Vantage Studios is merely the first of several creative hubs Ubisoft plans to establish in cooperation with Tencent. Future studios focused on additional major franchises are anticipated, although specific details about these new initiatives remain undisclosed.

This strategic alignment suggests a future in which the Guillemot family retains control over the Ubisoft brand, potentially phasing out the necessity for all subsidiaries to carry the Ubisoft name. For instance, future iterations of Assassin’s Creed might recognize their developers simply as ‘Vantage Studios, ’ possibly without the traditional subtitle.

“Vantage Studios represents a first step in Ubisoft’s ongoing transformation, with plans to set up additional creative houses and group its brands and franchises under the banner of a shared DNA and development expertise.”

Global Collaboration and Developer Empowerment

Currently, Vantage Studios pulls together teams across Ubisoft’s various locations, such as Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Barcelona, and Sofia. This collaboration amalgamates thousands of talented developers, many of whom have worked on some of Ubisoft’s most successful titles.

Looking Towards the Future

As 2024 unfolds, the landscape of one of the video game industry’s oldest and largest organizations is poised for significant change. Ubisoft is keenly adapting to market dynamics, and the establishment of Vantage Studios marks a pivotal step in its strategic evolution.

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