Ubisoft Montreal expanding, 1,000 new jobs by 2013
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Feb 12th 2007 at 1:45PM }
As supposed by La Presse, Ubisoft has formalized plans to expand its Montreal studio with the help of government aid. The Paris-based company will spend as much as C$454 million (approximately $383.9 million USD) over the next six years, while Quebec will chip in C$19 million in tax credits. Ottawa's also offering a C$8-million loan to help grow the studio, which is expected to create roughly 1,000 new jobs in the Montreal area by 2013.The expansion will unfold in two simultaneous phases. The studio's video game division will be beefed up with 500 new positions, while a CGI studio is created, eventually providing an additional 500 jobs. The new studio will produce short films based on Ubisoft properties, including an 8-minute Assassin's Creed featurette.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom @ Feb 12th 2007 2:04PM
For all you non-Canadians out there: "Ottawa's also offering a C$8-million loan" means that loan's coming from the Federal government ;)
Ironhide @ Feb 12th 2007 3:15PM
This is great news for us Canadians. More work, less having to go elsewhere for it. Plus getting a green card to work in the Usa these days is just nuts. A company has got to vouche for the individual, plus assure the government a qualified American is not available.
yourenemiesfriends @ Feb 12th 2007 5:48PM
Jade Raymond works there. Where can i get an application?
Shane @ Feb 12th 2007 7:39PM
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165617.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;title;1
The article here says they will receive a total of C$454 million from the government. The C$8 million is just the start of that.
p3arl @ Feb 12th 2007 8:40PM
wait, did i mis read this?
an assassins creed featurette being made in a studio that hasnt been built yet being made for a game that releases this year.
construction time for a place thats can hold 500 people = 1 year, most likely more + dev time for the featurette.
i call it sometime in mid to late 2008 (being generous here) for it to come out. why would we need a featurette more than a year after the games debut? hell bungie is releasin its featurettes as we speak
Phil @ Feb 13th 2007 1:14AM
No, gamespot has it wrong. Ubisoft will pay everything except the government gives 8 million (CAD).
Also, who said they have to BUILD the studio? And of course don't expect a movie this year. Also, they won't just be making Assassin, but content that isn't necessarily related to their games, or content such as TV shows with advertisement (no cost for downloading it). Anyway, it's good news.
Steve @ Feb 12th 2007 10:25PM
Pathetic. A french company brings its culture of sloth to exploit the Canadian taxpayers. Canadians aren't much smarter than the french; they'll probably bend over so that their socialist government can steal even more of their wealth.
The powerhungry politicians of Canada will eventually show how well Ubisoft has grown (and surely it will with its stolen money) as validation of their Marxist policies. Will the myopic people of Canada think for even one second how the remainder of the economy will suffer from this forced redistribution of wealth? Doubtful. These are the same people who have made it illegal for a person to seek medical care without the government's authorization.
After all, it's "arrogant" and "greedy" when an individual gets the wild idea of using the fruits of their labor as they see fit. National governments are much better suited to spend an individual's hard-earned wealth than the individual that created it. Oh, and you people south of the border? I wouldn't gloat. You've got a communist running the House and a spineless President who will be too cowardly to smack that b*tch back to San Fran.
The 20th century showed us that communism is a failure. The 21st century will show us how those who do not know history will be doomed to repeat it.
Ghost Freeman @ Feb 13th 2007 12:10AM
How a comment like the one above me gets permitted is beyond my comprehension.
Bélanger @ Feb 15th 2007 2:46PM
Wow Steve! really nice understanding of Canadian Politics!
Just so you know, The PEOPLE of Canada decided to PROTECT their national health care service.
We believe that health is an essential service and should not be paid for.
Now about Ubi, next time you enjoy some Splinter Cell, or Prince of Persia of wathever, keep in mind that it comes, in big part, from the talent and determination of Montrealers.
Now you have a nice day and dream of a Corporate Controlled Universe while I go enjoy some free education.