Ubisoft hires freerunner Michael Zernow as Chief Parkour Officer

Ubisoft has created the world’s first Chief Parkour Officer position to assist in the publisher’s Assassin’s Creed franchise, hiring noteworthy freerunner Michael Frosti” Zernow to fill the new role.

According to the publisher, Zernow will be tasked with making sure the parkour portions of titles like the upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Unity are both accurate and authentic – as well as advising the company on how to further support the activity.

"Ubisoft’s new Chief Parkour Officer will serve in a strategic advisory role, ensuring an ongoing commitment to the authenticity and accuracy of parkour beginning with the October 28 launch of Assassin’s Creed: Unity, the next installment of the 76 million unit-selling Assassin’s Creed franchise," Ubisoft stated as part of the announcement.

"He will also advise on ways for the company and its franchise to continue its ongoing advocacy for the sport."

Zernow coached at California’s Tempest Freerunning Academy and has already worked on the Assassin’s Creed series, making up part of the motion capture team for prior releases.

"I’ve been a long-time fan of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and it’s one of the few highly visible examples of parkour that attracts younger athletes to the sport every year," Zernow said.