Ubisoft ramps up in T.O

Ubisoft is ramping up its presence as the first major video game publisher to set up shop in Ontario, building its HQ out of an old GE plant, which will evolve into what the company hopes will be the second largest of its global studios - just behind its digs in Montreal. At the helm is studio head...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPlayback : Canada's Broadcast and Production Journal p. 1
Main Author Afan, Emily Claire
Format Trade Publication Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Toronto, Ont Postmedia Network Inc 10.05.2010
Subjects
Computer & video games
Employment
Entertainment industry
Location of industry
Manufacturers
Motion picture directors & producers
Canada
Toronto Ontario Canada
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Summary:Ubisoft is ramping up its presence as the first major video game publisher to set up shop in Ontario, building its HQ out of an old GE plant, which will evolve into what the company hopes will be the second largest of its global studios - just behind its digs in Montreal. At the helm is studio head Jade Raymond. Armed with a $263 million cash infusion from the provincial government, along with an additional $543 million boost from Ubisoft, Raymond says the bulk of the money is being poured into job creation. A new position that Raymond says is vital to the important growth of cinematics in video games is the newly hired technical director of scripted event David Riganelli. Since longer cutscenes (movie-esque sequences) have become a growing trend in games, Raymond wants to see more of what she calls "Hollywood 'wow' moments." Cutscenes are meant to advance the plot and characters through background details and dialogue, but they also temporarily pull the player away from the game physically.
ISSN:0836-2114