Ubisoft issued a statement earlier today declaring that Patrice Désilets and the company parted ways after “good faith discussions.”
“The acquisition of THQ Montréal in January allowed Ubisoft to welcome 170 experienced developers, including Patrice Désilets, to our existing and renowned workforce,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, since the acquisition, the good faith discussions between Patrice and Ubisoft aimed at aligning Patrice’s and the studio’s visions have been inconclusive. As a result, Patrice has left the studio. Our priorities remain with the teams already hard at work on projects in development. They are at the root of Ubisoft Montréal’s past and future successes.”
In contrast, Désilets has since told Polygon that he was simply fired by Ubisoft.
“Contrary to any statements made earlier today, this morning I was terminated by Ubisoft,” he said. “I was notified of this termination in person, handed a termination notice and was unceremoniously escorted out of the building by two guards without being able to say goodbye to my team or collect my personal belongings…This was not my decision.”
Désilets also claimed that Ubisoft’s actions were “baseless and without merit,” and also noted that he intends to “fight Ubisoft vigorously” for his rights, his team and his game.
Patrice Désilets had worked as Ubisoft’s creative director, where he helped create the Assassin’s Creed franchise until he left in 2011 to join THQ Montreal. Following THQ’s bankruptcy, Désilets returned to Ubisoft after the company acquired THQ’s Montreal branch as part of the publisher’s January bankruptcy auction. At the time, an Ubisoft spokesperson said they were “very pleased to welcome Patrice to Ubisoft again” and that the “renewed partnership will produce new ideas and high-quality titles for Ubisoft’s customers.”
(via Polygon)