Ubisoft
Ubisoft business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Free Play Days – FARCRY 6, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Skull and Bones, The Crew Motorfest
Ubisoft is offering five of its titles for free play on Xbox from October 1st to October 4th. The games available are Far Cry 6, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Skull and Bones, and The Crew Motorfest. Players with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential memberships can access these games by navigating to the Free Play Days collection in the Xbox Store.
MMO Business Roundup: Discord’s ad sales, GTA Online hacker’s arrest, and Xbox sale rumors
This MMO business roundup covers Discord's new advertising products, the arrest of a hacker allegedly involved in breaches of Grand Theft Auto Online and Red Dead Online, Ubisoft Massive Entertainment taking over more IPs, and rumors of Xbox being up for sale, which CEO Asha Sharma denies.
Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union petition to "preserve hybrid work" secures over 300 signatures
Ubisoft workers in Montreal have launched a petition to preserve hybrid work, gathering over 300 signatures. The union argues that return-to-office mandates negatively impact various employees and criticizes management's decisions. This follows a previous strike in February against restructuring and return-to-office policies.
Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment Rebrand Has Made The Name Much More Literal And Slightly Confusing
Ubisoft has rebranded its "Creative House 2" to Massive Entertainment, which is also the name of the studio it houses. This move aims to consolidate development expertise for Tom Clancy titles and other projects. However, the rebranding occurs amidst significant cost-cutting measures, including game cancellations and layoffs, creating a confusing and challenging environment for employees.
"Xbox is not for sale" despite all of the layoffs and neat repackaging of studios within Microsoft's corporate structure, CEO Asha Sharma says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has denied any plans to sell the gaming division, despite recent layoffs and studio restructuring. While reports suggested Microsoft executives considered spinning out Xbox, Sharma stated the company is committed to its success and will pursue necessary partnerships and operating models. The article notes the human cost of the layoffs and mentions ongoing boycotts against Microsoft.
The Division developers Massive are now "the global brand" in charge of Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon, alongside a new Ubisoft dieselpunk MOBA
Ubisoft has announced a significant restructuring, designating Massive Entertainment as the global label responsible for the Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon franchises, as well as the new MOBA March of Giants. This move is part of a broader reorganization following a large investment from Tencent, which has led to layoffs and the creation of dedicated 'creative houses' for major brands. While the Splinter Cell remake and a new Ghost Recon are confirmed, the impact on affected development teams remains unclear.
Jobs roundup: October | Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott voted chair of UKIE
Several key appointments have been made across the UK games industry. Harvey Elliott, CEO of Playstack, has been voted chair of UKIE, succeeding Maria Sayans. Murray Pannell joins Steel City Interactive as head of publishing, while Dean Anderson leads MV&P's APAC partnerships. Catherine Bygrave is the new head of commercial at Code Wizards Group, and Michał Platkow-Gilewski has been promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red.
The Division studio Massive expands to take control of Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon, and a new IP, in Ubisoft's most recent reorganisation
Ubisoft has reorganised its studios, expanding Massive Entertainment's remit to oversee the Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell brands, as well as multiple global studios and a new original IP called March of Giants. This move establishes Massive as a multi-franchise leading subsidiary, similar to the recently formed Vantage Studios. The restructuring follows several rounds of layoffs across Ubisoft, including at Massive Entertainment itself.
Best N64 Games: 40 Essential Nintendo 64 Games — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
This article celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Nintendo 64 by listing 40 essential games for the console. It highlights the console's innovations in 4-player local multiplayer and force feedback, and details influential titles across genres like first-person shooters, 3D platformers, and adventure games, with personal anecdotes and reflections on their lasting impact.
Ubisoft’s Creative House 2 is Now Massive Entertainment, Will Work on The Division, Splinter Cell
Ubisoft has officially renamed its Creative House 2 division to Massive Entertainment, consolidating development teams across multiple locations under one identity. This division will now be the primary team responsible for the "The Division," "Ghost Recon," and "Splinter Cell" franchises, as well as new intellectual properties. Massive Entertainment is currently focused on supporting "The Division 2" with its "Echoes of Central Park" expansion and a cross-platform multiplayer update, while also continuing development on "The Division 3."
Ubisoft renames Creative House 2, home of The Division, Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell, as Massive Entertainment
Ubisoft has renamed its Creative House 2 business unit to Massive Entertainment, consolidating development teams in Toronto, Montreal, Paris, and Sweden under the established brand. This unit will oversee franchises like Tom Clancy's The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell, as well as new original intellectual property. Veteran executive Christoph Hartmann will lead the newly unified Massive Entertainment, aiming to leverage combined expertise for future game development.
The Splinter Cell Remake Is Still Lurking In The Shadows
Ubisoft is actively recruiting for several roles on the remake of the original Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, indicating the project is still in active development despite being announced nearly five years ago with no gameplay shown. The article notes that the remake's final form is unclear, especially regarding its gameplay mechanics and how it might incorporate elements from later entries like Conviction and Blacklist.
Ubisoft Montreal employees launch collective action to preserve hybrid work schedule
Ubisoft Montreal employees, organized under the Ubisoft Workers of Montreal union, have launched a petition to preserve their hybrid work schedule after the company mandated a full return to office. The petition has garnered over 300 signatures, with union organizers encouraging in-person sign-ups. This action follows Ubisoft's January announcement of a five-day-a-week office policy, layoffs, and studio closures, which was met with protests, including a strike by Ubisoft's Paris-based employees.
Xbox Disc-To-Digital Program Is Officially Live For Everyone
Microsoft's Xbox disc-to-digital program is now available for all Xbox One and Xbox Series X users, allowing them to obtain digital licenses for physical games. Users can insert a supported disc into their console while signed in to claim a license, with an option to disable automatic installation for faster bulk claiming. Publishers like Square Enix and Ubisoft do not currently support the program.
Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons developers hope to set aside the Baldur's Gate 3 comparisons and build their own kind of open world
Invoke Studios aims to differentiate Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons from titles like Baldur's Gate 3 by focusing on a reactive open world driven by its magic system. Players will use synergistic spells for combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration, with a dense world designed for discovery rather than following strict waypoints. The game emphasizes player creativity and exploration over dialogue choices or party-based gameplay.
Get Ready To Change The Rules IN UNO FLEX!
UNO FLEX! introduces new mechanics to the classic card game, including Flex cards with alternate sides that can change color or trigger different effects. Player "Power" determines when these alternate sides can be activated, adding a strategic layer. The expansion also features new Action cards like Flex Draw Two and Flex Wild Draw Four, designed to disrupt opponents. UNO FLEX! is available for £4.29 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Xbox’s Disc-to-Digital Program is Now Rolling Out to All Users
Xbox has officially rolled out its Disc-to-Digital program to all users, allowing them to convert eligible physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X games into digital licenses. However, not all games are eligible, with participation depending on publishers like Ubisoft and Square Enix, who have opted out of some titles. The program associates the digital license with the original disc, meaning users could lose access if they no longer possess it.
Rainbow Six Tactics game director says the game's 15 Operators have 'unique' loadouts so they didn't 'overlap' with each other — but there was still room for 'community favorites' and 'operators that were impossible to not include'
Rainbow Six Tactics game director Martial Potron emphasized the importance of unique Operator loadouts and playstyles to avoid overlap in the upcoming turn-based tactics game. While the initial roster of 15 Operators includes fan favorites like Ash and Sledge, tough choices were made regarding which characters to include, with no current plans for future additions post-launch.
Popular PS5 Open-World Shooter Is 85% Off on PlayStation Store With DLC
Ubisoft's Far Cry 6 Game of the Year Edition is available for $17.99 on the PlayStation Store, an 85% discount that ends on October 8, 2026. This edition includes the base game, The Lost Between Worlds expansion, Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon, and various cosmetic packs and DLC episodes offering roguelike gameplay. Free trial versions for PS4 and PS5 are also available.
Ubisoft's calling its next push into gen-AI game development Motherbrain
Ubisoft is internally referring to its new generative AI initiative as 'Motherbrain,' a name derived from the Metroid series. Trademarks reveal plans for AI software to create video games and analyze data, with CEO Yves Guillemot calling generative AI a 'revolution.' This initiative comes amidst significant restructuring and layoffs at the company.
