Ubisoft London, beforehand often called Future Video games of London and the creators of hit cell title Hungry Shark, is about shut as growth of the IP strikes to mainland Europe. Workers are at present “in session”.
Ubisoft plans to maneuver additional growth of the Hungry Shark IP – which cracked 1bn lifetime downloads earlier this yr – to Ubisoft Barcelona. The studio has beforehand carried out work on the franchise – Ubisoft’s greatest on cell – alongside Ubisoft London. The transfer would put a complete of 54 positions in danger at Ubisoft London, which has overseen the franchise since its inception and was purchased by French gaming large Ubisoft in 2013.
“As a part of our ongoing efforts to boost effectivity, streamline operations, and cut back prices, we’re proposing the consolidation of the continuing administration of the Hungry Shark franchise at our Ubisoft Barcelona Cellular studio, which already oversees a portion of it,” Ubisoft stated in an announcement to VGC.
“On this context and following UK laws, we’re participating in consultations with our Ubisoft London (previously Future Video games of London) workforce concerning the proposed closure of the studio, which might impression 54 positions.
“We’re sincerely grateful to our colleagues in London for all their passionate contributions to creating the franchise what it’s at this time, and we’re dedicated to supporting them all through the method with the utmost consideration.”
Loss for London, acquire for Spain
The shift of focus to Spain follows a interval of rising curiosity within the dev neighborhood round Barcelona. Plenty of excessive profile studios and branches have been based within the metropolis over the previous yr, most notably NetEase’s veteran-led studio Anchor Level which was opened in April.
Whereas the transfer might point out a rethink of Ubisoft’s cell division on the current unveiling of Apple’s iPhone 15, Ubisoft had been out in pressure, displaying off The Division Resurgence on cell and making the promise that their upcoming Murderer’s Creed: Mirage, would be the similar sport throughout consoles, PC and cell for the primary time.
