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is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.
Ubisoft is announcing a major reorganization, and with the changes, it’s refocusing its portfolio and canceling some games, including the beleaguered remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. With the reorganization, Ubisoft will focus its efforts on big open worlds and live service games.
In the new structure, which goes into effect in April, Ubisoft’s new operating model will “be structured around five Creative Houses,” supported by a “Creative Network providing development resources, shared Core Services and a reshaped HQ.” The brands under each Creative House, which include the studio announced last year dedicated to Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, will be dedicated to different genres:
CH1 (Vantage Studios), focused on scaling and extending Ubisoft’s largest and established franchises to turn them into annual billionaire brands;
Brands: Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six
CH2 dedicated to competitive and cooperative shooter experiences;
Brands including The Division, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell
CH3 designed to operate a roster of select, sharp Live experiences;
Brands including For Honor, The Crew, Riders Republic, Brawlhalla, Skull & Bones
CH4 dedicated to immersive fantasy worlds and narrative-driven universes;
Brands including Anno, Might & Magic, Rayman, Prince of Persia, Beyond Good & Evil
CH5 focused on reclaiming position in casual and family-friendly games.
Brands including Just Dance, Idle Miner Tycoon, Ketchapp, Hungry Shark, Invincible: Guarding the Globe, Uno, Hasbro
Ubisoft is also developing four new franchises, including March of Giants, the MOBA Amazon offloaded last year after its own recent gaming reprioritization. Ubisoft is revising its three-year roadmap and has canceled six games with the reorganization, including the Sands of Time remake and four unannounced games, including three new franchises and a mobile game. The company has also closed its Halifax mobile studio, its Stockholm studio, and is restructuring its Abu Dhabi, RedLynx and Massive studios.
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