About Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment SA is a French multinational video game company that develops, publishes, and distributes video games. Founded in 1986 by the Guillemot brothers, Ubisoft has grown into one of the world’s largest video game publishers. It is known for creating some of the industry’s most successful and recognizable franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Watch Dogs, Just Dance, The Crew, For Honor, and Rayman. The company is headquartered in Saint-Mandé, France, near Paris, and operates dozens of development studios and offices worldwide.1
Overview
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Ubisoft Entertainment SA |
| Founded | March 1986 |
| Founders | Yves Guillemot, Claude Guillemot, Michel Guillemot, Christian Guillemot, Gérard Guillemot |
| Headquarters | Saint-Mandé, France |
| Industry | Video Game Development & Publishing |
| Type | Public Company |
| CEO | Yves Guillemot |
| Employees | Over 17,000 worldwide |
| Global Presence | More than 50 studios and offices across multiple countries |
| Primary Business | Developing, publishing, and distributing video games |
History
Ubisoft was founded in 1986 by the five Guillemot brothers in Brittany, France. Originally, the company focused on distributing computer software before moving into game development.
Its first notable success came with Zombi (1986), but Ubisoft achieved international recognition in 1995 with the release of Rayman, created by Michel Ancel. Rayman became one of Europe’s most successful platform game franchises.
During the 2000s, Ubisoft expanded aggressively by acquiring studios around the world and creating original intellectual properties (IPs). This period saw the birth of blockbuster franchises such as:
- Assassin’s Creed
- Far Cry
- Watch Dogs
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six
- The Division
- Just Dance
The company became known for pioneering large-scale open-world games and investing heavily in proprietary technology.1
Business Model
Ubisoft operates in several major areas:
Game Development
Hundreds of developers collaborate across international studios to create AAA and independent games.
Game Publishing
Ubisoft publishes games on:
* PC
* PlayStation
* Xbox
* Nintendo Switch
* Mobile devices
Digital Services
Ubisoft also provides:
* Ubisoft Connect
* Ubisoft+
* Cloud gaming partnerships
* Online multiplayer services
* Seasonal live-service content
Major Game Franchises
Some of Ubisoft’s best-known series include:
Assassin’s Creed
Historical open-world action-adventure games featuring parkour, stealth, and exploration.
First released: 2007
Far Cry
Open-world first-person shooters set in diverse locations with memorable villains.
First released: 2004
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six
Tactical multiplayer shooters emphasizing teamwork and strategy.
Notable title:
* Rainbow Six Siege
Watch Dogs
Open-world action games centered on hacking and surveillance.
The Division
Online action RPG shooters set in post-pandemic cities.
Just Dance
Music and rhythm games featuring motion-controlled dancing.
Rayman
A long-running platform series and one of Ubisoft’s earliest global successes.
Prince of Persia
Although created by Jordan Mechner, Ubisoft has developed and published many entries in the series since acquiring the rights.
Other Notable IPs
- For Honor
- The Crew
- Ghost Recon
- Splinter Cell
- Rabbids
- Brawlhalla
- Skull and Bones
- Anno
- Heroes of Might and Magic (later entries)
Global Studios
Ubisoft operates development studios in many countries, including:
- Canada
- France
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
- Sweden
- Romania
- Ukraine
- Serbia
- India
- China
- Singapore
- Philippines
Some of its largest studios include:
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Ubisoft Toronto
- Ubisoft Paris
- Ubisoft Singapore
- Ubisoft Bordeaux
- Ubisoft Philippines
Ubisoft Philippines
Ubisoft has a development studio in Taguig City, Metro Manila. The studio contributes to major franchises such as:
- Assassin’s Creed
- Far Cry
- For Honor
- Skull and Bones
- The Crew
The Philippine studio specializes in areas including:
- Art
- Animation
- Programming
- Game Design
- Quality Assurance
- Co-development
Ubisoft Connect
Ubisoft Connect is Ubisoft’s digital ecosystem that allows players to:
- Purchase games
- Save progress in the cloud
- Earn achievements
- Unlock rewards
- Connect with friends
- Use cross-progression in supported titles
It replaced the older Uplay platform.2
Ubisoft+
Ubisoft+ is the company’s subscription service that offers access to a large catalog of Ubisoft games, including many premium editions and downloadable content (DLC).2
Technology
Ubisoft has developed several proprietary game engines, including:
- Anvil – used for Assassin’s Creed
- Snowdrop – used for The Division and Star Wars Outlaws
- Dunia Engine – used for Far Cry
These engines support advanced graphics, AI, physics, and large open worlds.
Corporate Philosophy
Ubisoft describes its mission as:
“Enrich players’ lives by creating original and memorable gaming experiences.”
The company emphasizes:
- Creativity
- Innovation
- Accessibility
- Diversity and inclusion
- Global collaboration
- Long-term franchise development
Expansion Beyond Games
Ubisoft has expanded many of its franchises into other media, including:
- Films
- Television series
- Novels
- Comic books
- Merchandise
- Board games
Its entertainment initiatives aim to extend its game worlds beyond interactive media.
Recent Developments
In recent years, Ubisoft has undergone significant organizational changes to streamline development and strengthen its major franchises. The company has introduced a new internal structure focused on genre-based “Creative Houses” and has continued investing in long-term support for series such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.3
Quick Facts
- 🇫🇷 Founded in France in 1986
- 🎮 One of the world’s largest video game publishers
- 🌍 More than 17,000 employees worldwide
- 🏢 Over 50 studios and offices globally
- 🗡️ Creator of Assassin’s Creed
- 💃 Publisher of Just Dance
- 🔫 Developer of Rainbow Six Siege and Far Cry
- ☁️ Operates Ubisoft Connect and Ubisoft+
- 🌏 Maintains development studios across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond
Ubisoft remains one of the gaming industry’s most influential publishers, recognized for its large-scale open-world games, long-running franchises, and global development network.
