Ubisoft and Designer Desilets Uncermoniously Part Ways Once More

After purchasing the THQ Montreal studio and its properties earlier this year, Ubisoft was reunited with former designer and co-creator of Assassin's Creed, Patrice Desilets. Unfortunately for all involved, this reunion was not a happy one, and ended abruptly on Tuesday.

According to Polygon, Ubisoft originally claimed the partnership was dissolved mutually after negotiations with Desilets were met with little progress. The acquisition of THQ Montreal in January allowed Ubisoft to welcome 170 experienced developers, including Patrice Desilets, to our existing and renowned workforce," an Ubisoft spokesperson said. "Unfortunately, since the acquisition, the good faith discussions between Patrice and Ubisoft aimed at aligning Patrice's and the studio's visions have been inconclusive. As a result, Patrice has left the studio. Our priorities remain with the teams already hard at work on projects in development. They are at the root of Ubisoft Montreal's past and future successes."

That's not the whole story though, as Desilets painted a very different picture of his departure to Polygon. "Contrary to any statements made earlier today, this morning I was terminated by Ubisoft," Desilets responded in a separate statement. "I was notified of this termination in person, handed a termination notice and was unceremoniously escorted out of the building by two guards without being able to say goodbye to my team or collect my personal belongings. This was not my decision."

While more is likely to unfold over the next few days and weeks, Desilets promised he would not go quietly into that good night. "Ubisoft's actions are baseless and without merit. I intend to fight Ubisoft vigorously for my rights, for my team and for my game," Desilets added.

It's quite a startling development, and one that turned ugly rather quickly. All of this happened within the span of a few hours this afternoon, and the frankness about the events is something you don't typically see in the industry. Typically NDAs and legal teams keep this type of talk rather controlled or under tight wraps. What this means for the rest of the team at the Montreal studio remains to be seen.