Ubisoft(R) extends global reach, opening new studio in Toronto

    Province supports Ubisoft in development of first Ontario-based studio

    TORONTO, July 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Ubisoft announced plans today to open a
full development studio in Toronto, Ontario - a first for the company in the
province. This significant announcement is expected to result in the creation
of 800 net new jobs within the province over the next decade. The government
of Ontario is investing CA$263 million over ten years in the company and
Ubisoft's net investment will be over half a billion CAD in the new studio,
which will begin operations in late 2009.
    "Today's announcement marks a strategic move for Ubisoft as we continue
to expand our internal development force," said Yves Guillemot, president and
chief executive officer at Ubisoft. "We are in an excellent position to grow
and after extensive analysis we are thrilled to have reached an agreement with
the government of Ontario to found our new studio in Toronto. The city is one
of North America's economic and cultural epicenters and our expectations are
high. We're excited to be able to count on the exceptional local talent, who
will contribute to our accelerated growth and will have a profound impact on
the video game industry with the excellence of their creativity."
    Ubisoft Toronto will be overseen by Yannis Mallat, chief executive
officer at Ubisoft Montréal, whose proven leadership and vision will be a
major asset to the growth and success of the new studio. Ubisoft Toronto will
work on Triple-A games and will emulate the proven business model and creative
excellence for which Ubisoft is known. In addition, Ubisoft Toronto will bring
its own flavour to the global Ubisoft brand, which will benefit from the deep
pool of dynamic and quality talent trained in video game design and production
in the province of Ontario.
    The Toronto studio will also build on the city's existing experience with
the film production industry. Collaborating with local film industry veterans
to enhance video game production and extend Ubisoft's convergence strategy,
Ubisoft Toronto will contribute to Ubisoft's global plan of extending its
brands to complementary platforms and mediums, including books, comics, short
films and other products.
    "We are incredibly excited to finally tap into the remarkable talent
Ontario has been developing over the years," said Yannis Mallat. "Toronto's
unique pool of experience video game industry and film industry talent will
allow us to develop a team with exceptional ability to help us realize our
goals for creating brands with universal appeal that extend beyond the world
of video games."
    The studio in Toronto will be the fourth for Ubisoft in Canada, with
other studios located in Montréal, Quebec City and Vancouver and employing
more than 2,300 creative staff across the country.
    Today's announcement is made possible with the support of the Ontario
provincial government and its dedication to invest in organizations that
create jobs and provide long-term value for the provincial economy. Premier
Dalton McGuinty was on hand today at the Ubisoft press conference in Toronto
to help announce plans for the new studio and elaborate on the provincial
government's support for the endeavour, stating "Our world is one where you
can borrow capital, you can copy technology and you can buy natural resources.
But to build a high wage and a high standard of living you need talent. By
investing in Ubisoft, we're building Ontario's economy now and for the
future."
    Among its more than 17 multi-million selling franchises, Ubisoft is known
for developing and producing such legendary game brands as Tom Clancy's
Splinter Cell(R), Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six(R), Assassin's Creed(R), Prince of
Persia(R), Red Steel(R), Rayman(R), Rayman Raving Rabbids(R), and Far Cry(R).
    Industry professionals interested in joining Ubisoft Toronto, please
contact work.in.TO@ubisoft.com

    About Ubisoft

    Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive
entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong
and diversified line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft is present in 28
countries and has sales in more than 55 countries around the globe. It is
committed to delivering high-quality, cutting edge video game titles to
consumers. For the 2008-09 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of (euro)1.058
billion. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

    (C) 2008 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Splinter Cell, Sam
Fisher, the Soldier Icon, Assassin's Creed, Red Steel, Rayman, Rayman Raving
Rabbids, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment
in the U.S. Rainbow Six, Red Storm and Red Storm logo are trademarks of Red
Storm Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Red Storm
Entertainment, Inc. is a Ubisoft Entertainment company. Based on Prince of
Persia(R) created by Jordan Mechner. Prince of Persia is a trademark of Jordan
Mechner in the US and/or other countries used under license by Ubisoft
Entertainment. Far Cryis a trademark of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or
other countries. Based on Crytek's original Far Cry directed by Cevat Yerli.

For further information: Cédric Orvoine, Director, Communications,
Ubisoft Montréal, (514) 490-2000, ext. 3334, (514) 586-9613,
cedric.orvoine@ubisoft.com; Heather Steele, High Road Communications for
Ubisoft, (416) 644-2279, (416) 629-2975, hsteele@highroad.com