Ubisoft has offered an insight into its impressive raft of forthcoming games, via an online event entitled Ubisoft Forward. However, the giant French publisher has also been enduring something of an annus horribilis: following widespread allegations of abuse and misconduct, it has sacked or suspended several of its top executives.
The undoubted highlight of Ubisoft Forward – which took place on 12 July – was the official announcement of Far Cry 6. Far Cry 6’s cinematic trailer centred on Diego, the teenage son of “El Presidente” Anton Castillo (portrayed in the game by renowned actor Giancarlo Esposito), dictator of the volatile fictional Caribbean island Yara.
In Far Cry 6, you will play as Dani Rojas (you’ll be able to choose whether to be male or female), building up a guerrilla-style resistance to Castillo as he prepares to hand power over to Diego. Far Cry 6 will be released on 18 February 2021 for Xbox Series X, PS5, Xbox One, PS4, PC and Stadia.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla featured strongly in Ubisoft Forward. Ubisoft confirmed that it will be released on 17 November – at least on current-gen consoles, the PC and Stadia. It will also come out for the Xbox Series X and PS5, but Ubisoft hasn’t yet given those platforms a release date. Ubisoft Forward drilled down into the next Assassin’s Creed instalment’s gameplay.
Ubisoft also showed plenty of Watch Dogs: Legion’s gameplay – detailing the innovative way in which it lets you play as any character in the game – and revealed that its free-to-play entry in the battle royale genre, Hyper Scape, has now entered open beta, ahead of a “summer 2020” release on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
Top executives axed
Ubisoft Forward was overshadowed, however, by revelations that many of Ubisoft’s top executives have left the company, either being sacked or resigning, in the wake of allegations of sexual and mental abuse that bred a toxic culture, particularly among Ubisoft’s in-house development teams.
The games industry is currently having a #MeToo moment, with a wave of workers coming forward with abuse allegations against various developers and streamers. Ubisoft announced that Serge Hascoet, Chief Creative Officer, has resigned, along with Yannis Mallat, Managing Director of Ubisoft’s Canadian studios, and the company’s Global Head of HR, Cecile Cornet. Departures follow Ubisoft’s announcement that it had placed Tommy Francois and Maxime Beland, both Vice Presidents of the company’s Editorial Team, which oversaw all development.
To his credit, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot – one of the nicest people in the games industry – reacted to the allegations quickly and with contrition. Guillemot said: “Ubisoft has fallen short in its obligation to guarantee a safe and inclusive workplace environment for its employees. This is unacceptable, as toxic behaviours are in direct contrast to values on which I have never compromised — and never will. I am committed to implementing profound changes across the Company to improve and strengthen our workplace culture.”
He continued: “Moving forward, as we collectively embark on a path leading to a better Ubisoft, it is my expectation that leaders across the Company manage their teams with the utmost respect. I also expect them to work to drive the change we need, always thinking of what is best for Ubisoft and all its employees.”
