Ubisoft Keen On Original IP, Pledge Steady Supply
In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, Ubisoft's VP of Publishing, Jay Cohen, is all about new IPs:
Yes, it's the cornerstone of our strategy. In fact, I think we're at three new IPs every three years... That's sort of our target. Rayman, Red Steel, Clancy - we didn't create Tom Clancy's name, but we created Splinter Cell, and we created Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six. Assassin's Creed, that's coming out later this year. So every year, you're going to be seeing something that's going to be brought out by Ubisoft.If we can keep doing that, they're sustainable, and they're ours. We can take them with us no matter where we go.
I mean, for example, look at SEGA 2K Sports. They had the NFL license, and now they don't. Boy, they're kind of screwed.
Awww Jay, you didn't have to bring up 2K. The wound still aches. And while it's a pleasant move to announce your intentions to emphasise "new IP", your examples aren't exactly...watertight.
You didn't create Rainbow Six, that was an existing Clancy IP, and GRAW and Rainbow Six have always been more than a little close. Splinter Cell is 5 years old. Rayman is 12 years old. Prince of Persia is Mechner's baby. Assasin's Creed, yeah, you can have that, but "three new IPs every three years" is one a year. Better step it up.
Ubisoft planning to produce three new IPs every three years [Gamesindustry]