Ubisoft plans to open studio in Singapore

Ubisoft has announced plans to open its 18th internal development studio, chosing Singapore as the location for its next production team.

The studio, which is still being built, will open in the summer with plans to eventually boast a headcount of 300. Eventually, once new staff have been trained, Ubisoft’s Singapore studio will work with other Ubisoft studios on the development of titles for both portable and home consoles.

Olivier de Rotalier, previously Ubisoft’s director of cost control for its international production studios, has been appointed MD of the new studio.

It’s the latest move in Ubisoft’s push into Asia and the East – it announced the opening of a development and testing studio in Chengdu, China in September, and purchased Japanese DS specialist Digital Kids late last year.

On announcing the new studio, Ubisoft said it chose Singapore laregely because of "the country’s excellent technological infrastructure, thriving local game development industry and quality of its universities and training institutions". Also, "the Singapore government’s demonstrated willingness to work closely with industry actors and its strong support" were also key factors, the company said.

Christine Burgess-Quémard, executive director, Worldwide Studios at Ubisoft, added: "Singapore’s demonstrated interest and support for the video game industry made it a clear choice for Ubisoft’s continued international expansion. Not only is it capable of ensuring the training and continued development of a highly skilled workforce specialized in interactive digital media, its quality of life and level of industrialization makes it uniquely positioned to attract and retain talent from throughout the region."