After apparently being unceremoniously terminated by Ubisoft after it acquired THQ Montreal, which was working on 1666: Amster, former creative director Patrice Desilets is suing the publisher for $400,000 in damages and the rights for the game – just as he threatened to do when back in May when he was fired.
Apparently, Desilets and Ubisoft Montreal CEO Yannis Mallet discussed the development of 1666, and also the former’s prior arrangement with THQ. Needless to say, it was the beginning of many disagreements with the developer.
It became so bad that company CEO Yves Guillemot said to that THQ had given Desilets “too much creative freedom” because they were desperate (and given the company’s eventual collapse, that may not be far from the truth). There were no changes to the previous arrangement despite many negoatiations and Ubisoft eventually fired Desilets on May 7th. It then suspended development on 1666 indefinitely.
In an official statement, a Ubisoft representative said, “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. We received Patrice’s legal request and will address it in court. We will make no further comment at this point.”
Stick with us as the drama develops further.