Ubisoft cited Singapore’s technical infrastructure, growing local games industry, universities and government cooperation with the industry as factors in selecting the location.
The studio was scheduled to open in the summer at Fusionopolis, a new information and media center. An initial group of experienced Ubisoft developers would support new employees, with plans to build a team of 300 over subsequent years. The opening formed part of Ubisoft’s expansion in Asia, following the announcement of a development and testing studio in Chengdu, China, the previous September.
“Singapore’s interest in and support for the games industry made it an easy choice for Ubisoft’s continuing international expansion,” said Christine Burgess-Quémard, executive director of worldwide studios at Ubisoft. She cited training opportunities, quality of life and the city’s ability to attract regional talent.
“The digital market is one of Singapore’s most important, and developing fast-growing, innovative sectors such as video games is a high priority,” said Singapore Economic Development Board assistant managing director Manohar Khiatani. He said the organization welcomed Ubisoft’s decision to locate what it described as the region’s largest development studio in Singapore.
After an initial training phase, the Singapore studio would work closely with Ubisoft’s other studios, focusing particularly on games for portable systems and home consoles.
Olivier de Rotalier, previously director of cost control for Ubisoft’s international development studios, was appointed managing director of the new facility. An ESCP-EAP graduate, he had spent eight years at Ubisoft working with internal processes, game development and studio organization.
