Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced the creation of a new videogame development studio that will employ 200 designers, animators and programmers in Quebec City. This announcement is part of the recently announced project to create 1000 new jobs by 2010 in Quebec, thereby bringing its total number of employees to 2000 in the province.

"Our expected growth in the five coming years will now come from both Montreal, as announced last February, and Quebec City," said Martin Tremblay, President and COO of Ubisoft's Montreal studios. ‘'Quebec City is a recognized creative hub and well-known for its academic institutions both at the university and college level. Ubisoft intends to play a key role in the development of the local industry and be a major contributor to Quebec City's international renown."

Mr. Michel Després, Transport Minister and Minister in charge of the National Capital, Mr. Jean-Paul L'Allier, Mayor of Quebec City, Martin Tremblay and Stéphane Mouchel-Vichard, Managing Director of Gameloft Canada, were present at the announcement.

To realize this endeavour and set up an innovative new studio in Quebec City, Ubisoft will invest 75 million Canadian dollars over the next five years. "Quebec and its surrounding areas are filled with talent," said Tremblay. "This has been a well-kept secret for too long. We are convinced that the region's young creatives have a lot to offer Ubisoft. In return, we believe that our company can offer some very interesting career
opportunities in a growing and dynamic sector of the digital entertainment industry."

Ubisoft launched a development studio in Montreal in 1997, expecting to
create 800 jobs in five to ten years. Ubisoft currently employs more than 1000 staff in Montreal. Games recently developed in Ubisoft's Montreal studios include Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (launched March, 31st following the success of the first two Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell titles that have sold over 10 million copies world-wide), Prince of Persia Warrior Within (which sold 1.8 million copies in the first two weeks of its release in December 2004, double that of its predecessor), as well as Myst IV Revelation (the fourth edition of one of the most successful video game titles in history).