In an interesting turn of events, Ubisoft has granted former Ubisoft developer Patrice Désilets the rights to 1666 Amsterdam, a game that was originally being developed by the now defunct studio THQ Montreal.
Friends, Ubi and I agreed, I got it back! 🙂 https://t.co/lKqj5enJth #1666Amsterdam pic.twitter.com/Z19MLwdgEY
— Patrice Desilets (@PatriceDez) April 25, 2016
“Putting aside our past differences, Patrice and I are above all interested in the creation of videogames and the evolution of this medium of entertainment,” said Yannis Mallat, chief executive officer of Ubisoft Montréal and Toronto in a statement sent to MobileSyrup. “This agreement is good news for everyone. Ubisoft’s creative teams are currently working on innovative projects that will mark our industry for years to come. This is precisely where we want to focus our energy, on our teams, to continue what we have been building in Quebec for nearly 20 years. As we have always said, Patrice is a talented designer and we wish him all the best in the development of his future endeavours.”
After leaving Ubisoft in 2010, Désilets joined THQ’s Montreal-based studio to work on an unannounced new video game franchise. When the studio’s assets were sold to Ubisoft following THQ declaring bankruptcy, Désilets once again found himself an employee of Ubisoft.
In 2013 Désilets left Ubisoft for a second time and launched legal action against the company in an effort to gain control of 1666 Amsterdam, a project he says is a culmination of his 15 years of experience in the video game industry. Some reports indicate that Désilets was actually fired from Ubisoft and did not leave on his own accord. Following his departure from Ubisoft and THQ, Désilets launched a new studio called Panache Digital Games.
Beyond the example of concept art (seen above) not much is known about 1666 Amsterdam, though it’s believed it plays similar to Assassin’s Creed and includes a supernatural occult element to it.
In a recent press release sent to MobileSyrup, Désilets says “I will now devote myself entirely to the development of Ancestors: the Humankind Odyssey, my next game with Panache Digital Games,” indicating that he likely won’t move to continue working on 1666 Amsterdam just yet. “This is what matters most to me today: making the best games and showing the world the creative talent of Quebecers. I also wish every success to the Ubisoft teams.”
Désilets worked as the creative lead on Assassin’s Creed in 2007 and its sequel Assassin’s Creed II in 2009, as well as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield.
[source]Twitter[/source]
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