THQ is unveiling a brand-new owned development studio in Montreal, and it's tapping former Assassin's Creed franchise creative director Patrice Desilets, plucked from Ubisoft, to head it up.
Desilets, who has also worked on Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time will join the company "next summer," according to THQ. Says executive vice president Danny Bilson: "The best way we can deliver fresh, high-quality gaming experiences is by working with the best talent. THQ is delighted to have the opportunity to make a brilliant addition to our team next year with Patrice Desilets."
"We expect calendar 2011 to be a watershed year for THQ, and adding developers like Patrice helps ensure our focus on new IP and great games charted by leading industry artists," Bilson adds.
At the new Montreal studio, the Creative Artists Agency-repped Desilets will be developing new IP for the publisher, which it says is a reflection of its "strategy to grow development talent in highly skilled locations."
It also notes the Montreal location, which it chose for its "high concentration of media talent", is part of its "expanding studio system." THQ has characterized 2010 as a "very successful turnaround year," wherein it saw profitability that will help set it up for a 2011 it describes as an "investment year."
Desilets himself was revealed to have left Ubisoft in June 14. The publisher said Desilets had already completed the work needed from him on upcoming Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and categorized his departure as "[taking] a creative break from the industry."
Gamasutra is attending the THQ Montreal studio opening, and will be speaking to multiple key personnel from the studio's launch event, with more information and interviews available in the near future.
Next summer? I'm curious if that date is based on his waiting out his non-compete clause or is there some other factor involved? And was Ubi unwilling to meet his requirements to build new IP there? We'll probably never know these details, but to me THAT is where the story lies.
