E3 2011 Live Ubisoft Press Conference

Ubisoft has been enjoying a solid year - especially with a successful launch of Assassin's Creed: Revelations just a few weeks back. Anyone who expects the developer to simply sit back and ride on the coattails of established IP's, like saying the Assassin's Creed series could go on forever, will be glad to hear that the game publisher is also looking to also introduce gamers to some next titles in the not-too-distant future.

That is, if a new job opportunity on the Ubisoft Facebook page is any indication.

According to the posting, Ubisoft Quebec is looking for a Tools Programmer for a Triple-A MMO title. The Quebec studio is best known for their work on ports of Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands as well as the last two Assassin's Creed titles (alongside Ubisoft Montreal).

You can check out the full job listing on Ubisoft Quebec's Facebook page - but here are a few especially intriguing details from the posting:

  • Compile and understand IT development needs and assess their feasibility so as to best serve the production team;
  • Analyze existing functions in the engine and see how they could be enhanced to fulfill the intentions of the project;
  • Suggest improvements by designing and implementing new systems;
  • Collaborate with TDs to enhance the production pipeline;
  • Support the production functions and systems: production workflows in the editor, third-party application plug-ins (3DSMax, Maya, source control, etc,), and productivity tools (compilation, build process, etc.)
Also of note:
You are passionate for video games, you are interested to travel around the world and have the will to develop yourself in a studio where professional development is central to our priorities. You want to work with the most competent people in the video game industry, we are looking forward to receiving your application.

Travel around the world? Out of all the existing properties that the developer could use as a foundation for an MMO, the Assassin's Creed franchise is certainly the most obvious extension. Gamers are already participating in an expanded mythos whenever they play multiplayer (taking control of an assassin with varied perks and special abilities) or level-up recruited assassins in the main game (through the Mediterranean Defense game). Would it be a large extension for Ubisoft to develop an MMO where players join a certain faction (assassins or templars) - and duke it out with customized warriors for control of an ancient region?

Of course there's no guarantee that Ubisoft will use existing properties - as they may create an entirely new world and story to fit their upcoming MMO. That said, with so many MMO's already available (coupled with the upcoming release of the Star Wars MMO, The Old Republic), the development team is definitely going to need either a compelling, high-profile, series to break through the clutter - or be ready to offer an experience that is markedly different from the games already on the market.

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Source: Ubisoft Quebec