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Ubisoft Toronto to make next Splinter Cell game

Gamasutra has a great article up taking a look at the new Ubisoft Toronto studio, which includes moving development of the next Splinter Cell chapter there, as well as the challenges and opportunities inherent in going big in launching a new location. “It’s a really nice position to be in,” she explained. “Instead of starting a studio and working on small projects, Nintendo DS or portables, we’re starting out of the gate with triple-A only.” “The reason that I think that’s the right strategy is that it allows us to attract…

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Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood details emerge

I know I wasn’t the only one at rgbFilter who unsurprised, but still a little frustrated at the cliffhanger ending to Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed II.  Well, Ubi has come out with some news about the follow-up, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.  The game continues Ezio’s story as a full-fledged Assassin, focusing on fighting the corruption in Rome,  around beginning of the 16th century… so no, not THAT corruption… Besides continuing Ezio’s story, the game will introduce a new multiplayer component.  Although the details are scarce, players will be able help the Assassins…

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Canadian Video Game Award winners announced

Dragon Age: Origins took home the top prize of Game of the Year at the inaugural Canadian Video Game Awards.  Though the Bioware RPG took the top award, along with Best Writing, it was Ubisoft Montreal’s Assassin’s Creed II which took the most awards, with Best Console Game, Best Game Design and Best Visual Arts, and shares the award for Best Technology with Prototype, from Radical Entertainment in Vancouver. Toronto developer Capybara Games also took home Best Handheld Game for Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes, and Best Downloadable Game…

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Prince Of Persia: The Forgotten Sands gameplay video

The new Prince of Persia, due out in May, helps fill in the seven year gap between The Sands Of Time and Warrior Within, as seen in the new trailer, which has both gameplay footage and developer commentary. From the looks of it, it’s very much in the Warrior Within vein design-wise. Interesting to note that to build the game, Ubisoft Montreal made use of their in-house Anvil engine, which allows for up to 50 enemies on screen at one time. Besides the classic parkour style action, there’s some new…

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Ubisoft Toronto Employee #1 reveals Toronto location

Were you wondering where the Ubisoft Toronto studio is going to be?  It’s no longer a mystery, despite the video above.  On his Facebook page, Employee #1 revealed the location to be 224 Wallace Ave. (map) just north of Bloor at Lansdowne. There’s more images of the building on his page, and yep, Ubisoft is also hiring, by either emailing them here… work.in.TO@ubisoft.com or visiting their Careers Portal.

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Assassin’s Creed II: First Impressions

One of the most anticipated gaming titles of the year was finally released this week… and Assassin’s Creed 2 has a LOT of hype to live up to for some… and a LOT to apologize for to others.  In 2007, the first game was greeted with polarized impressions, best summed up by Zero Punctuations review. Despite its glaring flaws, I was a HUGE fan of the Creed and after grinding through the first level of the sequel, my impressions thus far are nothing short of smitten. I wont get into…

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Assassin’s Creed: Lineage Part 1 short film online

Remember when Ubisoft bought Hybride, the Montreal based studio that did effects work for Sin City, 300 and other films?  Besides continuing work on film effects, one of the fruits of that purchase is now available to watch online, in the form of Assassin’s Creed: Lineage. There’s also a good interview with Ubisoft’s UK marketing director talking about the convergence of games and film… “So the beauty of something like Lineage is that it allows us to take a lot of the assets developed for the in-game engine and create…

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Killer Video Games And Cash Grabs?

The following was originally intended as a “Letter To The Editor” of the Hamilton Spectator, in response to an article about the Ubisoft Toronto studio deal.  You can read that column here… but here’s what stuck out to me. If using tax dollars to assist a foreign private-sector company is an iffy proposition, the thread becomes even more frayed when you look at some of the games in Ubisoft’s roster. Assassin’s Creed enables players to experience the thrill of murdering people in Renaissance Italy. Red Steel allows you to feel…

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Ubisoft Expands Canadian Presence In Toronto

I guess Ubisoft really likes Canada!  Besides their locations in Vancouver and Montreal, as well as thed the CG film studio in la belle province, the French game maker today announced that they plan on opening a facility in Toronto.  The new studio will be headed by Yannis Mallat, who also heads the Montreal facilities. “Today’s announcement marks a strategic move for Ubisoft as we continue to expand our internal development force,” said Yves Guillemot, president and chief executive officer at Ubisoft. “We are in an excellent position to grow…

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Ubisoft buys Hybride

Game developer Ubisoft has purchased Montreal special effects house Hybride Technologies. According to their announcement (which I would link to here, but it’s embedded in Hybride’s flash based site): “The future of our industry depends on our ability to create brands that captivate customers and to extend our brands to other forms of entertainment,” said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft. “This alliance is a true first for the industry,” said Yannis Mallat, Ubisoft Montreal CEO. “Ubisoft and Hybride share the same vision of entertainment convergence and a common…

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