Ubisoft to build $800 million studio in Toronto

[DudeMiester]

Finally!

The provincial government chipped in $270 million over 10 years, and the studio is expected to employ 800 people. Although, I do wonder what they are spending the money on, as that's $1 million per employee. In any case, this bodes well for me seeing as I want to do game development and I live in Toronto.

I wonder what kind games they will develop? They have stated they want to do a lot of movie/film tie-ins, and with the strong film industry here it's a good place to do it. Apparently the Toronto International Film Festival is the biggest in the world now.

This is a development I will be following and involving myself in with utmost intensity.

Anyways, more info here:
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24331
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24334
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/interview-ubisoft-montreal-and-toronto-boss-yannis-mallat/
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/661530

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Right, thread re-opened. Those wanting to discuss the investment of governments in the private sector can do so in the RSPCA forum. You must be a member of the RSPC group. Check the 'Group Membership' setting in your profile if you can't see it on the board.

For everyone else, this thread is to discuss the possible outcomes of the new studio with respect to the gaming industry.

 

[aselto]

This news doesn't surprise me one bit. Last year Ubisoft announced they're ready to shell out $1.2B for acquisitions. Since they bought only that RTS studio (World in COnflict dev IIRC), they're investing money elsewhere.

Hopefully they'll gather as much talent as in Montral eventually.

 

[wco81]

What is RSPC?

Anyways, what are the big hits that Ubisoft has developed out of Canada? AC? SC?

Does the amount of capital suggest a lot of people and hence a lot of games or is it going to have a motion capture studio and other expensive apparatus?

 

[obonicus]

What is RSPC?

Semi unmoderated forum under General Discussion. Religion, Politics and Socioeconomic Climate.

 

[Mobius1aic]

This news doesn't surprise me one bit. Last year Ubisoft announced they're ready to shell out $1.2B for acquisitions. Since they bought only that RTS studio (World in COnflict dev IIRC), they're investing money elsewhere.

Hopefully they'll gather as much talent as in Montral eventually.

That explains why Soviet Assault was published by Ubisoft