something unique to the table. I think we’re renowned for the fact that we’re very good at tech, we lead the way, we’re very innovative in the approach that we take. We’re really brilliant at world building, it’s something we’ve contributed to a lot of Ubisoft games. So I think there are unique strengths that we bring as a team, and a lot of ambition too. I’m very ambitious,” she adds.
LOCAL HEROES Part of the ambition that will, perhaps, define Opie- era Reflections is to build a new IP and do right by the long-beloved Assassin’s Creed franchise, with the studios heavily involved in what will be the first VR extension to the 15-year-old series. The Reflections and Leamington MD is also eager to build on the strength of both studios, keeping each rooted in their respective regions, while also bringing
“What Ubisoft does really brilliantly, is have a very global approach that’s highly collaborative, but also allows local voices. Each studio brings something unique to the table”
18 | MCV/DEVELOP June 2022
them closer together through greater and more meaningful collaboration. “I’m keen that they’d stay as distinct organisations
because I think they should be connected to the local community, but that they have their own social activities and events – the things that are really, really important to them.” Opie insists that Ubisoft ultimately benefits from Leamington’s position at the geographical centre of UK game development, while Reflections has a larger and more stable position in the North East. “They work really collaboratively, as joint leads or
joint teams, just split between one site and the other. And increasingly now that Covid is just about beginning to move past us, we encourage people to travel between the two sites. It’s really important that they get to meet each other, too.” The connection to local games education and other
development studios has recently extended to fostering a number of apprenticeships aided by BBC Hub in Birmingham to help build up creative service skills across the West Midlands. Meanwhile, in Newcastle, Reflections works closely with the city’s university. “I’m really, really keen that we do feel accessible to local communities and what we do can encourage that connection. It’s really important to stay grounded in the locations that we’re in. We’re not going to lose that.”
LEAP OF FAITH While Opie’s role at Ubisoft is her first in games, she’s no stranger to the particular demands of the creative
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