Assassin's Creed designer Patrice Desilets departed Ubisoft in 2010 and went to work on a game at THQ's Montreal office. However, with THQ's bankruptcy filing earlier this year, other publishers swept in to acquire THQ's assets, with Ubisoft purchasing its Montreal studio - rendering Desilets an employee of Ubisoft again.
Such a twist might work out in a romantic comedy, but not so much in real life. Ubisoft informed Kotaku today that Desilets is no longer at the company (once more):
The acquisition of THQ Montreal in January allowed Ubisoft to welcome 170 experienced developers, including Patrice Desilets, to our existing and renowned workforce.
Unfortunately, since the acquisition, the good faith discussions between Patrice and Ubisoft aimed at aligning Patrice's and the studio's visions have been inconclusive. As a result, Patrice has left the studio. Our priorities remain with the teams already hard at work on projects in development. They are at the root of Ubisoft Montreal's past and future successes.
UPDATE: Desilets has released a statement that his most recent departure from Ubisoft was involuntary.
Contrary to any statements made earlier today, this morning I was terminated by Ubisoft. I was notified of this termination in person, handed a termination notice and was unceremoniously escorted out of the building by two guards without being able to say goodbye to my team or collect my personal belongings.
This was not my decision.
Ubisoft’s actions are baseless and without merit. I intend to fight Ubisoft vigorously for my rights, for my team and for my game.
As he just indicated in a tweet:
Patrice Desilets @PatriceDez 6m ago
"Contrary to reports, I didn’t leave, Ubisoft fired me, and I intend to fight them vigorously for my rights, my team and my game."
Patrice has been working on his game since 2010 with the same people -- essentially the project and team that Ubisoft acquired in the THQ meltdown. It's pretty deep into production. He's quite attached to it. Now he's been cut-off. I know Patrice. He won't take this lightly.
I'm in his corner on this one, if only because that game needs its creative director to see it through. Oh, and Desilets is one talented son of a gun.
Remember he wasn't merely a designer on Assassin's Creed. That game was his vision, top to bottom. It would not have existed without him.
This is hearsay, so take it with a grain of salt: Apparently, Patrice had struck a very unique deal with THQ, where he pretty much had complete control over the project, including release date and marketing material.
I presume that, when Ubisoft acquired this project, they inherited the contract with its obligations.
If this is true, I assume that Ubisoft, as any normal publisher would do after a big purchase, would want to take control - at least partially - over its new property. It's also normal that Mr. Desilets would not budge if he wasn't legally forced to.
My guess is that Ubi's calculation is that they are willing to let Desilets sue them over the IP and the data, while they get to keep their bran new bunch of developers.
Patrice Desilets @PatriceDez 6m ago
"Contrary to reports, I didn’t leave, Ubisoft fired me, and I intend to fight them vigorously for my rights, my team and my game."
Patrice has been working on his game since 2010 with the same people -- essentially the project and team that Ubisoft acquired in the THQ meltdown. It's pretty deep into production. He's quite attached to it. Now he's been cut-off. I know Patrice. He won't take this lightly.
I'm in his corner on this one, if only because that game needs its creative director to see it through. Oh, and Desilets is one talented son of a gun.
Remember he wasn't merely a designer on Assassin's Creed. That game was his vision, top to bottom. It would not have existed without him.
It's disgusting to see how the industry treats its creative minds. Ubisoft will be in the sh!tter without the franchises that this man helped create.
The last one was pretty good actually.
The Forgotten sands
I presume that, when Ubisoft acquired this project, they inherited the contract with its obligations.
If this is true, I assume that Ubisoft, as any normal publisher would do after a big purchase, would want to take control - at least partially - over its new property. It's also normal that Mr. Desilets would not budge if he wasn't legally forced to.
My guess is that Ubi's calculation is that they are willing to let Desilets sue them over the IP and the data, while they get to keep their bran new bunch of developers.