Have you ever gotten lost in the vast, historic streets of Assassin’s Creed? Or maybe pulled off the perfect takedown in Rainbow Six Siege? If so, you’ve already experienced the magic of Ubisoft—one of the most influential names in gaming.
But behind every immersive game, there’s a story—and Ubisoft’s is as fascinating as the worlds it creates.
Let’s take a journey into the rise of Ubisoft, how it became a global video game titan, and why it continues to shape the future of interactive entertainment.
From Small-Town France to Global Game Giant
Ubisoft didn’t start in a flashy Silicon Valley office or a buzzing Tokyo studio. Instead, it was born in March 1986 in Carentoir, a rural town in Brittany, France. The company was founded by five brothers—Christian, Claude, Gérard, Michel, and Yves Guillemot—whose family business at the time focused on selling agricultural supplies.
But the Guillemot brothers saw a future in something else: video games.
They began by distributing games via mail order, a savvy move in the pre-internet era. Their secret? Undercutting prices and offering better deals than their competitors. It wasn’t long before they decided to make their own games, and in 1989, they launched their first title—Zombi.
What started as a humble venture quickly grew into something much bigger.
Biography Table for “Ubisoft”
This table compiles all essential facts about Ubisoft in a clean, easy-to-reference format:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Ubisoft Entertainment SA |
| Founded | March 1986 |
| Founders | Christian Guillemot, Claude Guillemot, Gérard Guillemot, Michel Guillemot, Yves Guillemot |
| Headquarters | Saint-Mandé, Île-de-France, France |
| Industry | Video Games |
| Stock Listing | Public (Euronext Paris: UBI) |
| Current CEO | Yves Guillemot |
| Global Studios | 45+ studios in over 40 countries |
| Employees | 19,000+ |
| Notable Franchises | Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Tom Clancy’s, Just Dance, Watch Dogs, Prince of Persia, Rayman, The Crew, Rabbids, Anno, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Skull and Bones, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Mario + Rabbids, Star Wars Outlaws |
| Key Events | Went public in 1996, acquired Red Storm Entertainment in 2000, resisted Vivendi takeover (2015–2018), Tencent investment in 2018 |
| Services | Ubisoft Connect (cross-platform achievements, rewards, DRM) |
| Platforms Supported | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Mobile |
| Social Impact | Sustainability, diversity, community support, annual responsibility reports |
| Latest Game Titles | Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2025), Star Wars Outlaws (2024), Skull and Bones (2024), Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (2023) |
| Strategic Subsidiary | Created in 2025 for Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six brands |
A Studio That Spanned the Globe
By the mid-90s, Ubisoft was ready to go international. In 1996, the company went public on the Euronext Paris stock exchange under the ticker symbol UBI, raising funds to fuel global expansion.
Over the next few years, Ubisoft established development studios in places like Montreal, Shanghai, Milan, and Annecy, eventually operating over 45 studios in more than 40 countries. This global reach gave Ubisoft the unique ability to blend diverse perspectives and creative talent—something that still sets it apart today.
In 2000, Ubisoft acquired Red Storm Entertainment, which came with a golden ticket: the rights to develop games under the Tom Clancy brand. This acquisition would give birth to some of the company’s most iconic tactical franchises.
Franchises That Changed Gaming Forever
If you’ve picked up a controller anytime in the past two decades, chances are, you’ve played a Ubisoft game.
Here are some of their most beloved—and groundbreaking—franchises:
Assassin’s Creed
Launched in 2007, Assassin’s Creed combined historical fiction, parkour-style movement, and open-world exploration in a way that few games had before. From Renaissance Italy to Ancient Egypt, this series redefined what a historical action game could be.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the next major installment, is set to release on March 20, 2025, and anticipation is sky-high.
Tom Clancy’s Universe
Under the Tom Clancy banner, Ubisoft created multiple fan-favorite series:
- Rainbow Six Siege (2015) — A tactical shooter still beloved by competitive gamers.
- Rainbow Six Extraction (2022) — A co-op twist with alien threats.
- Ghost Recon — Military-focused shooters like Wildlands (2017) and Breakpoint (2019).
- The Division — An online RPG-style shooter set in a post-pandemic world.
And with games like XDefiant and The Division Resurgence on the horizon, this universe continues to expand.
Just Dance
Let’s be honest—at least once, you’ve probably danced around your living room to this game. Just Dance has been a staple at parties and family nights since its debut, using motion controls and catchy music to get players moving.
Watch Dogs
Hack into city infrastructure, manipulate the digital world, and fight for justice. The Watch Dogs series put a modern, tech-savvy spin on the open-world genre.
Prince of Persia & Rayman
Before Assassin’s Creed, there was Prince of Persia, a series that inspired many action-platformers. The most recent entry, The Lost Crown (2023), brought it roaring back.
Meanwhile, Rayman, a quirky, limbless hero, helped put Ubisoft on the map in its early days.
The Crew & Racing Games
With The Crew and The Crew Motorfest (2023), Ubisoft stepped into the racing genre with open-world driving experiences across sprawling digital landscapes.
Strategy & Mythology
- Anno 1800 gave city-builders a taste of the industrial era.
- Immortals Fenyx Rising (2020) brought Greek mythology to life in a charming, Breath-of-the-Wild-inspired adventure.
Skull and Bones & the High Seas
If you’ve ever wanted to captain your own pirate ship, Skull and Bones (2024) has you covered. Years in development, it finally set sail to eager players this past year.
The Future: Star Wars and Avatar
Ubisoft’s ambitions keep growing. In 2023, they released Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, an open-world adventure that expands James Cameron’s universe. Up next? Star Wars Outlaws, coming August 30, 2024—the first truly open-world Star Wars game.
Ubisoft Connect: More Than Just Games
Ubisoft isn’t just about making games—it’s about creating communities. Through Ubisoft Connect, players earn rewards, track achievements, and connect across platforms. It’s their answer to services like PlayStation’s trophies or Xbox’s achievements, and it keeps fans engaged long after launch day.
And yes, Ubisoft titles are widely available—on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and even mobile.
Innovation at Ubisoft’s Core
Ubisoft has never been afraid to take risks. They were early adopters of open-world design, motion controls, and dynamic environments. Whether it’s pioneering lighting effects or designing AI-driven NPC behavior, the company continually pushes the boundaries of what interactive entertainment can be.
Even their internal development processes often embrace cutting-edge tech, including procedural generation, machine learning, and virtual production.
A Fight for Independence—and a Strategic Future
Not every chapter in Ubisoft’s story has been smooth. Between 2015 and 2018, media conglomerate Vivendi began quietly buying up Ubisoft shares, sparking fears of a hostile takeover.
Led by CEO Yves Guillemot, the company fought back—rallying employee support and securing outside partnerships to stay independent. One key move? Partnering with Tencent, a Chinese tech giant, which bought a significant stake in 2018.
By 2023, as the gaming industry faced major economic headwinds, Ubisoft focused on its most valuable franchises. In March 2025, they announced a new subsidiary dedicated to managing brands like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six—a strategic move aimed at long-term sustainability.
Beyond the Controller: Social Responsibility at Ubisoft
Ubisoft doesn’t just care about games—they’re also making strides in corporate responsibility. That means:
- Environmental initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
- Diversity and inclusion programs in hiring and game development.
- Community engagement, from esports to educational outreach.
They publish detailed annual reports outlining their progress in each of these areas, showing a genuine commitment to improving the world through gaming.
Why Ubisoft Still Matters
So, why does Ubisoft continue to stand out in a crowded gaming industry?
Because it’s more than just a studio—it’s a global storytelling machine, powered by passion, innovation, and relentless creativity. Whether you’re scaling the pyramids in Assassin’s Creed Origins, dancing with friends in Just Dance, or preparing for battle in the next big shooter, there’s a good chance you’re stepping into a world Ubisoft helped bring to life.
And in an age of constant change, one thing remains clear: Ubisoft is not just keeping up with the industry—it’s helping lead it.
