Assassin's Creed Boss Joins THQ, Forms New Studio

We told you this back in June, but it's today been made official: Patrice Désilets, the former creative director of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series, has joined rival publisher THQ, and will be setting up a new studio in Montreal.

Désilets had been with Ubisoft for 13 years prior to his departure in June, during which time he worked on games like Prince of Persia: Sands of Time before moving onto the creative director role with Assassin's Creed (and then Assassin's Creed II), which has since become one of the biggest properties in the industry.

Beginning work in Summer 2011, Désilets' team (an all-new studio based in THQ's new Montreal offices) will be responsible for creating a game based on new intellectual property.

Send an email to the author of this post at plunkett@kotaku.com.


Earlier this morning THQ confirmed that Patrice Désilets, the former creative director behind Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series, was forming a new studio in Montreal for them. Désilets emailed an open letter to Kotaku to explain why. - Ed.

Montréal, October 2010
Hello everyone,
As you may know, last May, I made the difficult decision to leave Ubisoft after 13 incredible years. I felt that it was the right time for me to pursue new opportunities as well as enjoy life outside the industry. Since then, a lot of speculation and rumours grew as to where the next chapter of my career would bring me.
Today, I am happy to share with you my decision to join forces with THQ. Under my own label and team, which has yet to be created, I will be making my next few games within THQ's Montreal-based studios.
But...
I am very eager to start working on new games, but for various reasons and mostly out of respect for those who gave me my first chance in the industry, I will not be working on any projects until Summer of 2011.
Now I will go back to my obliged creative hibernation and enjoy spending time with my family... I can't wait to see you all at E3 2011 where I will be revealing a lot more. Until then, I hope you all buy and enjoy AC: Brotherhood and Homefront:) I know I will.
Thank you, see you soon.
Patrice Désilets A.K.A "the beard"
PS: Kudos to you guys at KOTAKU! You were right all along....
The author of this post can be contacted at tips@kotaku.com