“Let’s not forget the technology is in its infancy. There are plenty of opportunities to innovate.” Does gaming need 3D? p23
Guillemot: Next Assassin’s Creed will be ‘biggest to date’
Ubisoft expects huge things from this year’s adventure as it takes on EA and Activision by Christopher Dring
THIS YEAR’S new Assassin’s Creedwill be the biggest game in the series so far, Ubisoft told MCV.
It is understood that it will inject new life into the series, featuring fresh lead characters for the first time since 2009.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has high hopes for this Christmas’ title, and dismisses the notion that annual instalments in the series are diluting the brand. “Assassin’s Creedis an incredible franchise and there are a lot of expectations that it will continue to grow. We are pleased with our continued success so far: in the US, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations was a Top Ten title for the entire calendar year, which shows that the demand is definitely there,” Guillemot told MCV.
“We think that delivering regular instalments and expanding the brand to other platforms will continue to satisfy the demand, while at the same time attracting new fans. “And we’re confident that the next instalment of Assassin’s Creedwill be the biggest to date.”
Assassin’s Creed is an incredible franchise and we
expect it to grow. Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft
“ by Dominic Sacco
ASSASSIN’S CREED icon Ezio will attract fans of other games to Soul Calibur V– and future fighters – says Namco Bandai. The Ubisoft character is playable in the fighting title as part of a collaboration between the two publishers. With the Creedfranchise generating over 31m unit sales worldwide, Namco expects many of its fans to give the brawler a try. “Ezio Auditore from Assassin’s Creedis the
6 January 27th 2012
perfect addition to the licence,” Namco Bandai’s senior product manager Lauren Bradley told MCV. “He’s been well received by fighting game fans and Assassin’s Creedplayers seem to be welcoming his move into Soul Calibur. “Assassin’s Creedis such a popular franchise so we have a huge opportunity to broaden Soul Calibur Vout to fans of other genres. It will definitely bring new players into the fighting genre. This new fanbase will certainly benefit all fighting
Assassin’s Creed and Ezio will bring new players to the
fighting genre. Lauren Bradley, Namco
“
Ubisoft has big ambitions for 2012. Last year the firm was the UK’s No.2 publisher, and in the US had the second biggest selling game – Just Dance 3. “We’re challenging [EA and Activision], certainly,” Guillemot added. “If we keep our focus on delivering high-quality games and on attracting and retaining top talent, I’m confident we’ll reach that goal of becoming No.1.” Check out page 16 and 17 for our full interview with Yves Guillemot.
game releases in the coming years.” Soul Calibur V– out next
Friday (February 3rd) – is the latest in Namco’s long- running weapon-based fighting series, which has now sold 12m units worldwide. The last major Soul Caliburarrived four years ago.
Bradley said: “Fighting games have seen a resurgence and 2012 looks set to be an incredible year for the genre.” Namco Bandai: 020 8222 9700
JURASSIC Park will not be coming to retail on Xbox 360. Publisher Kalypso Media
told MCVthat the movie tie- in will only arrive as a boxed PC release. It was previously due to hit shelves on Xbox 360 as well as PC on February 24th.
Jurassic Park: The Game first arrived late last year as a digital download on PC, before heading to iOS, PSN and Xbox Live. It was developed at Californian studio Telltale Games. Kalypso’s head of
marketing and PR Mark Allen told MCV: “Currently we won’t be publishing this on 360 – just on PC. No one else is bringing the game to retail.”