Jade Raymond optimistic of new studios, IP development
50
Ubisoft Toronto Managing Director Jade Raymond's presentation at DICE expressed her belief that despite the current upheaval in the industry, she believes now is a great time to start a studio. Referencing EA Sports boss Peter Moore's speech about the industry being on a "burning oil platform" -- the idea being that it only changes when it has to -- Raymond believes it's more like a burning oil tanker that can course correct. One would hope she'd be optimistic about current core development being viable, considering she manages, what will become in time, one of the biggest studios in the industry.
In terms of IP development, she explained that the Ubisoft team spent a year of pre-production building the foundations of the Assassin's Creed franchise. "We spent quite a bit of time during conception thinking about the franchise metastory and story arc. And, most importantly, thinking of how to make sandboxes that future game teams and future teams in other media would be able to experiment and come up with their own stuff in this franchise." Regarding the ability to do Assassin's Creed comics, TV or a movie down the road, "You'll never get the best out of people if you just hand them this stone tablet."
Clearly showing her roots working on The Sims Online, it's quite obvious Raymond is a disciple of Will Wright's ideas about fan involvement in franchises. "I think you need to rely on fans," believing that the fan community will identify the best ideas to work from. She Iterated a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson for the video game industry: Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small franchises.
Raymond made clear that Assassin's Creed was designed as a franchise that could be handed over to professionals to expand the world, she said that the next IP Ubisoft is creating in Toronto will hopefully be "handed over to fans."
In terms of IP development, she explained that the Ubisoft team spent a year of pre-production building the foundations of the Assassin's Creed franchise. "We spent quite a bit of time during conception thinking about the franchise metastory and story arc. And, most importantly, thinking of how to make sandboxes that future game teams and future teams in other media would be able to experiment and come up with their own stuff in this franchise." Regarding the ability to do Assassin's Creed comics, TV or a movie down the road, "You'll never get the best out of people if you just hand them this stone tablet."
Clearly showing her roots working on The Sims Online, it's quite obvious Raymond is a disciple of Will Wright's ideas about fan involvement in franchises. "I think you need to rely on fans," believing that the fan community will identify the best ideas to work from. She Iterated a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson for the video game industry: Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small franchises.
Raymond made clear that Assassin's Creed was designed as a franchise that could be handed over to professionals to expand the world, she said that the next IP Ubisoft is creating in Toronto will hopefully be "handed over to fans."
Reader Comments (50)
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 6:41PM Cheesus Crust said
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 10:37PM thisredengine said
@Cheesus Crust
Guys, you can stop now. She's been engaged/married for awhile now.
Reply
Guys, you can stop now. She's been engaged/married for awhile now.
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 6:53PM ShoTime said
With the new IP, I just hope they don't put Jay Ray up front as if she's the sole person responsible, as they did for Assassin's Creed, when there are so many other visionaries behind the work
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 8:07PM CaptainProtonX said
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 2:53AM Special Agent Bob said
@CaptainProtonX
Ok so did anyone else notice the lone black dude
Reply
Ok so did anyone else notice the lone black dude
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 5:37PM Misfit Toy said
@Special Agent Bob
I like the guy on the right who has a mustache made of fake plant...
Reply
I like the guy on the right who has a mustache made of fake plant...
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 6:53PM KezMondo said
Jade Raymond was one of the three reasons I got excited for Assassins Creed.
Another one was the song that they played in the original trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq--BVch9xw
the sound and motion was just brilliant... dat jump at 1:30 was enough to make me giddy. It was only him jumping into a bale of hay, yeah, but we didn't know that at the time.
The last reason is probably why I stopped gaming. Originality. Amongst all the rehashen and stale ideas that always seemed to garner high expectations from media hype and then fail miserably, Assassins Creed was the only one that lived up to then exceeded those expectations.
Granted it isn't my favourite game of all time... that'd probably be banjo-kazooie, but it's still my peak of gaming.
/deepgamingrantover
Another one was the song that they played in the original trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq--BVch9xw
the sound and motion was just brilliant... dat jump at 1:30 was enough to make me giddy. It was only him jumping into a bale of hay, yeah, but we didn't know that at the time.
The last reason is probably why I stopped gaming. Originality. Amongst all the rehashen and stale ideas that always seemed to garner high expectations from media hype and then fail miserably, Assassins Creed was the only one that lived up to then exceeded those expectations.
Granted it isn't my favourite game of all time... that'd probably be banjo-kazooie, but it's still my peak of gaming.
/deepgamingrantover
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 7:23PM Shadowbender said
@KezMondo
It's funny, because every single AC trailer has the most dazzling music. Every single one.
In fact, I think I looked up all the songs in the trailers on YouTube at least once. I'm sure I'm one of thousands...millions.
Reply
It's funny, because every single AC trailer has the most dazzling music. Every single one.
In fact, I think I looked up all the songs in the trailers on YouTube at least once. I'm sure I'm one of thousands...millions.
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 7:53AM StriderNo9 said
@KezMondo Lol you criticize the industry on not making enough original games but you favorite game of all time is a Mario 64 clone LOL ;)
Reply
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 6:59PM PSN StaticShock said
A woman? Video games? A woman talking about video games?!?!
On a serious note, I would love to see some new IPs. Although they don't always get the recognition they deserve (I'm sure we all can name a few), I do enjoy them
On a serious note, I would love to see some new IPs. Although they don't always get the recognition they deserve (I'm sure we all can name a few), I do enjoy them
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 7:11PM Frito said
So Ubisoft will run this franchise into the ground a la Activision?
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 7:14PM drizztrocks said
Ubisoft did an excellent excellent job listening to all the fan feedback from AC1. They really addressed almost every issue with AC2. Now there's an awesome dev team.
... Also obligatory Jade Raymond you so hawt. :P
... Also obligatory Jade Raymond you so hawt. :P
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 7:19PM Shadowbender said
@drizztrocks
Really pretty, indeed. And very talented.
Reply
Really pretty, indeed. And very talented.
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 7:19PM Shadowbender said
I've had some ideas for an Assassin's Creed film for a while now. Can fan involvement get to the point where I could write a screenplay?
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 7:32PM HardBoiled2009 said
Everytime I Hear Jade Raymond Or See Jade Raymond My Reaction is best described in my avatar
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 7:46PM aussieCanuck said
TDOT represent haha anything from canada will be the best
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 7:57PM Mehbah said
HEY GUYS WE HAVE NEWS ON JADE RAYMOND. SEE US TALK TO JADE RAYMOND! Also, we have some news on this studio over there in the corner. JADE RAYMOND!
Meanwhile, all the comments discuss JADE RAYMOND'S looks.
On a side note unrelated to the JADE RAYMOND this article is about, they need to stop driving the AC franchise into the ground. The first game was good, but had some flaws. The sequel promised lots of change and ended up delivering none. All the new gadgets were useless except for the smoke bomb. None of the new assassination methods were useful. Get a poison needle? Cool, now you can kill stealthily. Too bad every single target after that point is in a zone where you get attacked at sight, meaning the hidden blade is better. Get a gun? It makes you stand out and takes too long to aim, especially since the targets will always start running before you get into range, so you're better off rushing them with the hidden blade. It doesn't help that targets have magic powers and can tell when you're in the general area. You have money now, but it's useless since you can only buy equipment (which the first game gave you anyway) and items, all of which are useless. AC2 also had a lot less interesting setting and protagonist. Ezio starts the game with a damn "I banged your sister", FFS. And the story just becomes a train wreck. The only things AC2 really added were assassinations from more positions and swimming.
Also, enough with the stupid spinoffs. What's next, Assassin's Kart?
Meanwhile, all the comments discuss JADE RAYMOND'S looks.
On a side note unrelated to the JADE RAYMOND this article is about, they need to stop driving the AC franchise into the ground. The first game was good, but had some flaws. The sequel promised lots of change and ended up delivering none. All the new gadgets were useless except for the smoke bomb. None of the new assassination methods were useful. Get a poison needle? Cool, now you can kill stealthily. Too bad every single target after that point is in a zone where you get attacked at sight, meaning the hidden blade is better. Get a gun? It makes you stand out and takes too long to aim, especially since the targets will always start running before you get into range, so you're better off rushing them with the hidden blade. It doesn't help that targets have magic powers and can tell when you're in the general area. You have money now, but it's useless since you can only buy equipment (which the first game gave you anyway) and items, all of which are useless. AC2 also had a lot less interesting setting and protagonist. Ezio starts the game with a damn "I banged your sister", FFS. And the story just becomes a train wreck. The only things AC2 really added were assassinations from more positions and swimming.
Also, enough with the stupid spinoffs. What's next, Assassin's Kart?
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 8:10PM Bastard11 said
@Mehbah I don't agree with you at all. While still not perfect Assassin's Creed II was LEAPS and BOUNDS better than the first. Even Brotherhood.. which I though was just gonna be this horrible "milking it" cash in was one of the best games released last year. It's a shame the series isn't clicking with you cuz it is among the best of what this industry has to offer anymore.
Reply
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 8:53PM Mehbah said
@Bastard11
I still don't agree with you, but it's nice to see you discussing like a person rather than a monkey. The average commenter would have called me a loser and/or troll and told me to contract teh gay for failing to realize that their favorite game is flawless.
Reply
I still don't agree with you, but it's nice to see you discussing like a person rather than a monkey. The average commenter would have called me a loser and/or troll and told me to contract teh gay for failing to realize that their favorite game is flawless.
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 9:13PM sonicspike41 said
@Mehbah Shut up loser troll. Go get AIDs and contract gay. Assassin's Creed is flawless.
Like that?
In all seriousness though, I think AC2 was better than AC1 not because it delivered on it's promises, or because of story or anything like that (I thought AC1 had a better story as well), but because of just overall gameplay improvements.
The area between cities was actually somewhat decent this time. It wasn't just some drab dusty area with little to no real life. There was some more variety in the side missions as well. While most of the new weapons/armor were pointless, and collecting money was stupid easy, it was at least nice that they added something extra to do, even if it wasn't anything hugely influential. Also, getting to the ancestors armor was nice, though I think it should have been optional.
Reply
Like that?
In all seriousness though, I think AC2 was better than AC1 not because it delivered on it's promises, or because of story or anything like that (I thought AC1 had a better story as well), but because of just overall gameplay improvements.
The area between cities was actually somewhat decent this time. It wasn't just some drab dusty area with little to no real life. There was some more variety in the side missions as well. While most of the new weapons/armor were pointless, and collecting money was stupid easy, it was at least nice that they added something extra to do, even if it wasn't anything hugely influential. Also, getting to the ancestors armor was nice, though I think it should have been optional.
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 9:17PM sonicspike41 said
@sonicspike41
Also, I liked the real life parts of AC1 a lot. I'm probably alone in this, but I like the character Desmond. He's kind of average, nothing really amazing. He seems like someone who was just plucked from the streets one day.
I also thought it was neat how they tied the animus sections to the real world sections. The one part I thought was really cool in AC2 was the real life animus "dream" section. It's just kind of cool whenever the animus scenes flow into the real life scenes, be it from hallucinations, or things like the eagle vision.
Reply
Also, I liked the real life parts of AC1 a lot. I'm probably alone in this, but I like the character Desmond. He's kind of average, nothing really amazing. He seems like someone who was just plucked from the streets one day.
I also thought it was neat how they tied the animus sections to the real world sections. The one part I thought was really cool in AC2 was the real life animus "dream" section. It's just kind of cool whenever the animus scenes flow into the real life scenes, be it from hallucinations, or things like the eagle vision.
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 9:23PM kentuckyfried said
@Mehbah
wow...I haven't played the game since Ezio meets his uncle (stopped right there), but I didn't think it was going *that* badly. More fun than AC1, which was a borefest I could barely complete.
Reply
wow...I haven't played the game since Ezio meets his uncle (stopped right there), but I didn't think it was going *that* badly. More fun than AC1, which was a borefest I could barely complete.
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 8:05PM CaptainProtonX said
@efiods8a9
Allow me to click on this URL and see your wears.....
NOOOO!!
GOATSE!!!!!!!!
Allow me to click on this URL and see your wears.....
NOOOO!!
GOATSE!!!!!!!!
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 8:14PM Misfit Toy said
Jaaaaaaaaaaaddddddeeeeeee.....
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 8:17PM Misfit Toy said
Alexander... doing his homework. Making the connection between Jade and Will through Sims Online. Nice connection. Never thought of that.
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 8:33PM MNeko said
I wonder if she is the mysterious "Kirby Bits..."
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 9:27PM kentuckyfried said
Jade...now that's a name I haven't read about in awhile since AC1.
Good going on those douchebags who decided to make that highly inappropriate comic strip about her. Yeah, I know the strip's intention was to make fun of Ubisoft for pimping her out in an attempt to peddle the first game, but the strip was tasteless and a blatant insult to her. Attack the company, not the front person....
Good going on those douchebags who decided to make that highly inappropriate comic strip about her. Yeah, I know the strip's intention was to make fun of Ubisoft for pimping her out in an attempt to peddle the first game, but the strip was tasteless and a blatant insult to her. Attack the company, not the front person....
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 10:46PM thisredengine said
@kentuckyfried
While I agree with you, you're kinda a few years late.
Reply
While I agree with you, you're kinda a few years late.
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 10:22PM ShinFuYux said
I'm skeptical about the next Assassin's Creed. I mean, the guy who invented the whole story and world for this just ditched the game and team and went off to create his own team and project.
Sure, it's a good idea to have the fans decide the next thing for the game but story wise.... Ubi, you lost one big important person.
Sure, it's a good idea to have the fans decide the next thing for the game but story wise.... Ubi, you lost one big important person.
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 12:42AM kentuckyfried said
@ShinFuYux
Well...the same can be said for Dead Space currently. it's a little bit weird seeing Steve Papoutsis talk about how they thought up the whole story behind Dead Space and pitched it as a franchise to the higher-ups, when it conveniently leaves out the fact that Glen Schofield was likely the primary visionary behind it all. Same thing happened with MAG if you watch those dev interviews as well.
I guess it really comes down to being a team effort and we don't really know who contributed what in the overall scheme of things, so you can't just assume that the whole thing will break down the moment an important person leaves.
Reply
Well...the same can be said for Dead Space currently. it's a little bit weird seeing Steve Papoutsis talk about how they thought up the whole story behind Dead Space and pitched it as a franchise to the higher-ups, when it conveniently leaves out the fact that Glen Schofield was likely the primary visionary behind it all. Same thing happened with MAG if you watch those dev interviews as well.
I guess it really comes down to being a team effort and we don't really know who contributed what in the overall scheme of things, so you can't just assume that the whole thing will break down the moment an important person leaves.
Posted: Feb 13th 2011 10:39PM thisredengine said
Ubisoft employees: Internal Sand wraith video. Please post on Youtube. Thanks.
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 2:17AM JnRx said
I respect you as a person Miss.Raymond and I look forward to any quality games you are looking to releasing.
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 5:25AM TCJJ said
Eve since Brotherhood, I've been sick of hearing about Assassin's Creed. I don't hate it, but Ubisoft is destroying it. Hopefully a new IP can be a life-saver. Also, where's my Rayman 4, Ubisoft?
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 7:38AM Batzarro The worlds WOrst Detect said
On the lower right corner we can see...The Assassin's Creed Christmas Special?
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 8:33AM GuyBehindtheGuyBehindtheGuy said
Must be nice to be a managing director solely because of your looks.
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 9:46AM thisredengine said
@GuyBehindtheGuyBehindtheGuy
How on earth can you say that? She's a University graduate and has been working in the industry for years?
Reply
How on earth can you say that? She's a University graduate and has been working in the industry for years?
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 9:47AM thisredengine said
@GuyBehindtheGuyBehindtheGuy
And I guess someone must be bitter of being single on Valentine's day.
Reply
And I guess someone must be bitter of being single on Valentine's day.
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 11:20PM GuyBehindtheGuyBehindtheGuy said
@thisredengine Oh, so simply graduating college is qualification to head multiple gaming studios? Damn I guess I should be heading several continental divisions with my degrees.
No, I'm saying that she has little in the way of game producing credits. She had--count 'em--two producer credits before AC. She was virtually unknown before the AC hype.
If you don't think the people at Ubi picked her because she's one of the few attractive, marketable looking women in gamedom, you are blind my friend.
Reply
No, I'm saying that she has little in the way of game producing credits. She had--count 'em--two producer credits before AC. She was virtually unknown before the AC hype.
If you don't think the people at Ubi picked her because she's one of the few attractive, marketable looking women in gamedom, you are blind my friend.
Posted: Feb 15th 2011 9:46AM thisredengine said
@GuyBehindtheGuyBehindtheGuy
You made it sound her look the ONLY reason she got ahead in the business.
Reply
You made it sound her look the ONLY reason she got ahead in the business.
Posted: Feb 14th 2011 10:49AM Ujn Hunter said
Personally it makes me sick the over-saturation of the market with this "new" IP... I mean how many damn AC games need to be released in a 5 year span? I'd say 2... Ubi says 10?
Featured Stories
Super Joystiq Podcast 004: 38 Studios meltdown, Gravity Rush, Civilization 5: Gods & Kings, Dragon's Dogma
Posted on May 25th 2012 3:30PM







