Patrice Desilets files suit against publisher, seeking $400,000 and rights to purchase 1666 franchise.
After promising legal action against Ubisoft following his termination from the company last month, Assassin’s Creed creator Patrice Désilets has sued the French publisher.
La Presse (via Game Informer) has obtained a filing today that states Désilets is suing Ubisoft for $400,000 and the rights to purchase 1666: Amsterdam.
As part of an agreement with former publisher THQ, Désilets was reportedly given full creative control of the game. However, when Ubisoft purchased the the project–and the studio itself–in January, this control was supposedly taken away, leading to the fallout.
An Ubisoft representative confirmed with Game Informer that the company has received Désilets’ “legal request” and said that it is currently evaluating options about how to respond.
“As stated before, the acquisition of THQ Montréal in January allowed Ubisoft to welcome 170 experienced developers to our existing and renowned workforce. Unfortunately, the discussions between Patrice Désilets and Ubisoft aimed at aligning Patrice’s and the studio’s visions were inconclusive,” the statement reads. “We received Patrice’s legal request and we will take the time needed to evaluate our options. We will make no further comment at this point.”
Desilets claimed last month that Ubisoft fired him without merit. In a statement sent to media, he alleged wrongdoing on the part of Ubisoft and said he planned to fight back.
“This was not my decision,” he added. “Ubisoft’s actions are baseless and without merit. I intend to fight Ubisoft vigorously for my rights, for my team and for my game.”
Ubisoft also reportedly fired producer Jean-François Boivin.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed last month during a financial call that development on 1666 had been suspended.
“After more than two months of discussions with [Desilets], we couldn’t align our vision both on project development and team management,” Guillemot said. “So consequently our collaboration has ended, and we have suspended 1666 for an undisclosed period of time.”
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