Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot has been questioned over the future of his company — and his own position in it — as part of a wide-ranging interview that also confirmed multiple Far Cry titles are in the works.
Speaking to Variety, Guillemot was quizzed on his plans for Ubisoft following its recent company restructure and ongoing job losses (with another 40 roles confirmed gone just overnight).
There were questions, too, of his personal response to recent staff strikes that sparked fresh calls for his resignation, and to the persistent grumbles surrounding the appointment of his son Charlie Guillemot as co-CEO of Vantage Studios, the company division now overseeing Ubisoft's most prized franchises, including Far Cry and Assassin's Creed.
"On Far Cry, anticipation is high, and we currently have two very promising projects in development," Guillemot said, without providing further detail. The franchise's last title, Far Cry 6, launched in 2021. Previous reporting has suggested that the next entry will offer a more radical upgrade to the series' usual formula.
On Assassin's Creed, Guillemot noted the company had "several titles" in development, comprised of both single-player and multiplayer experiences. Back in 2022, Ubisoft announced a raft of upcoming games including the now-launched Assassin's Creed Shadows, the witchcraft-inspired Assassin's Creed: Hexe (another single-player blockbuster) and Invictus (a multiplayer game). The company is also widely-expected to announce its long-awaited Black Flag remake soon.
"Ubisoft was created as a family company, and our strong heritage helps us take a long-term view, prioritizing sustainable growth, creative ambition, and continuity over short-term cycles," Guillemot said when asked about the accusations of nepotism that surrounded Vantage Studios' announcement. "This perspective guides our decisions and helps us build franchises, teams, and strategies that endure for decades.
"I strongly believe that Christophe Derennes and Charlie are the right leaders as Co-CEOs of Vantage Studios. They bring complementary strengths and experience that make them well-suited for the role. Their appointment was based on their skills, track record, and fit for the role."
Asked about the recently-scrapped Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake, Guillemot did not provide further detail when asked how far long the project was. Various development teams spent half a decade working on the project, and an actress believed to have been playing one of its lead characters said she had subsequently lost three years of work.
"I fully understand the legitimate concerns of our teams in France and around the world," Guillemot continued, when asked how Ubisoft was addressing employee concerns, particularly around staff cuts and welfare. Guillemot was also asked for a response to calls for him to resign — something he did not directly address.
"Ubisoft is going through a major phase of transformation, affecting our organization, operations, and culture. Changes of this scale naturally raise questions and create tension, particularly when they impact people's routines, and I recognize that. My commitment is to listen, lead responsibly, and keep our teams engaged. At the same time, we can’t ignore that we are part of an industry that is more competitive and demanding than ever. Delivering at the level of quality and ambition our players expect requires strong alignment, speed of execution, and close collaboration. The decisions we are making are guided by that reality.
"My main focus areas now are our transformation," he concluded, "ensuring Ubisoft's long-term financial sustainability, and delivering games at the highest standard."
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
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