Amsterdam 1666, an open world game about the devil stalking 1666 Amsterdam, has a strange history. It started out as a game to be published by THQ Montreal (not to be confused by the current, controversial publisher that took over the name – THQ Nordic – Montreal was part of the original THQ that went defunct), but ended up in the hands of creator Patrice Desilts’ former employer, Ubisoft (Desilts is also one of the original creators of the Assassin’s Creed series), which led to a lengthy legal battle over the IP’s ownership– which he ended up winning. There hasn’t been much said about the game since that case was settled, but Desilts was at Reboot Develop recently, and said that the game is definitely going to happen.

While he and his team are hard at work on Ancestors, another game that we haven’t seen much of, Desilts still sees Amsterdam 1666 in his future and thinks his current project can inform a lot of the work to be done.

“You put the cape on the ape and you’re pretty good to do another game,” Desilets explained while speaking with VG247. “If you think about it, climbing up a tree trunk, climbing a rock, climbing a building façade… It’s like now I’ve got a toolbox.”

“Now I am thinking about it a little bit,” he added. “It’ll probably change a little bit. You were more like the devil’s apprentice than the actual devil. Once I finish this and then, ‘Okay what’s next?’ If it’s Amsterdam 1666, I’ll probably restart from scratch.”

Of course, when that will be is anyone’s guess, but at least Desilts seems confident that the game will come out some day, even if it’s doubtful it’ll be any time remotely soon.

Patrice Desilets of Assassin’s Creed fame has revealed more information at Reboot Develop on his upcoming new title Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. A teaser trailer has been released with pre-alpha footage. Check it out below.

Ancestors is currently playable as per Desilets but don’t expect it out anytime soon. Though it’s no longer an episodic game, the scale has been described as “too big”. Set 10 to 2 million years ago, Ancestors is a third person action adventure with survival and resource management. Cannibalism is also a part of the game along with the possibility of tribal conflict.

Interestingly, the game will be set in Africa and Desilets noted that, “It’s the first time I’ve created a character who interacts with the jungle. There are no walls. What’s the light like? I’ve never worked on that before. There’s no sword, no swordfights. Eventually you get a branch…”

What about 1666: Amsterdam? As per Desilets, it’s on hold while Ancestors is being developed. What are thoughts on the game? Let us know in the comments below.

In 2007, Patrice Désilets worked with Ubisoft to deliver what would go on to become the French publisher’s largest franchise ever- Assassin’s Creed. After a few years, however, he ended up leaving Ubisoft, and decided to join THQ to work on his new project, 1666 Amsterdam. In a cruel twist of irony, however, THQ went bankrupt and 1666 and all related resources and personnel ended up being bought back by- Ubisoft, who promptly fired him, while retaining the rights to the IP.

This led to a protracted lawsuit that now seems to have found a peaceful resolution. In a joint statement released by Désilets and the publisher, the two parties confirmed that Désilets will now have full business and creative rights over the IP. In return, he will be withdrawing his lawsuit against Ubisoft.

“I’m glad Ubisoft and I were able to come to an agreement that will allow me to obtain the rights to project 1666 Amsterdam,” said Désilets. “I will now devote myself entirely to the development of Ancestors: the Humankind Odyssey, my next game with Panache Digital Games. This is what matters most to me today: making the best games and showing the world the creative talent of Quebecers. I also wish every success to the Ubisoft teams.”

Yannis Mallat, Chief Executive Officer of Ubisoft Montréal and Toronto, commented: “Putting aside our past differences, Patrice and I are above all interested in the creation of video games and the evolution of this medium of entertainment. This agreement is good news for everyone. Ubisoft’s creative teams are currently working on innovative projects that will mark our industry for years to come. This is precisely where we want to focus our energy, on our teams, to continue what we have been building in Quebec for nearly 20 years. As we have always said, Patrice is a talented designer and we wish him all the best in the development of his future endeavors.”

What this means for 1666 remains to be seen, especially since Désilets is currently working on another project. Still, I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief at the realization that whatever 1666 turns out to be, it will not have towers that need to be climbed to unlock portions of the map.

“I believe we need a revolution in subject matter. It has been four E3s that I’ve gone to, and it’s always the same thing. I get it: we all like space marines and shooters, but come on, we need to talk about something else.

“We’re still talking about these things because the medium is really in its infancy. It’s so much easier in terms of production and coding to just blow stuff up than to create an interaction about human beings. It’s so much more subtle than killing. Eventually we’ll get there, and it’s really a shame that I cannot finish 1666, because it was about all of that.”

Of course, while the overwhelming success of Call of Duty mean this trend won’t be ending any time soon, at least games like The Last of Us are attempting to work outside the medium and do things somewhat differently. What does the future hold with games like Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – which are trying to do things differently while still pleasing the crowds – though? We’ll soon find out.

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According to GameReactor Spain, Patrice Desilets revealed that 1666 “was to be the new Assassin’s Creed.”

Desilets also spoke at the GamesLab conference in Barcelona stating that, “It was to be the new Assassin’s Creed!  The first year was to build the team, to study [the historical era], but also to create a new IP.”

For the full blown info on 1666 please check GameReactor Spain.

Patrice Desilets was fired earlier this year for unknown reasons and all we know is that he is suing Ubisoft and is also trying to get his rights back on 1666.

Let us know what your thoughts are on 166 and what possibly the game could have been, if it wasn’t suspended by Ubisoft earlier this year, in the comments section below.

Check back on GamingBolt for more news and updates.

Attending a Gamelab conference session in Barcelona, Spain, Assassin’s Creed creator and former THQ Montreal creative director Patrice Désilets talked about how the future of the gaming industry is digital.

“Right now we are at a crossroads in our industry. But I don’t believe the AAA blockbuster will die. Maybe the way it is distributed will change, but it won’t die.” In reference to the reversal of the Xbox One’s policies, Désilets stated that, “Yeah, games come on disc, and I get it guys you were really pissed off. But, deep down, nobody cares about not having CDs any more. The future is digital, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

As of now, Désilets is busy fighting a lawsuit against Ubisoft following his termination from the company after their purchase of THQ Montreal.

Source: GamesIndustry.biz

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.

Source: La Presse via Polygon

In between the face Désilets’s projects from THQ Montreal, like 1666, were thrown into limbo. Today, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot stated that 1666’s development has been suspended for an indefinite period.

“After more than two months of discussion with [Désilets], we couldn’t align our vision both on project development and team management, so consequently our collaboration has ended. We have suspended development on 1666 for an undisclosed time.

Désilets, however, finds Ubisoft’s actions to be “baseless and without merit” and will fight for “my rights, for my team and for my game”. Stay tuned for more details.

Jean-François Boivinwas worked as production manager and associate producer on Assassin’s Creed 1, 2 and Brotherhood before joining Desilets at THQ Montreal to work on 1666. The title reportedly went over to Ubisoft after it picked up THQ Montreal, but with both Desilets and Boivinwas gone, it’s unsure whether it is still in production.

Regardless, Desilets isn’t happy, calling his firing “baseless and without merit”. He intends to fight against Ubisoft for the termination and that can’t lead to anything but more ugliness (Activision/Respawn, any one?). Hopefully the issue will be resolved soon for all parties involved.

Patrice Desilets the creator and game designer behind Assassin’s Creed has made a statement to Polygon earlier today that he has been fired by Ubisoft.

Here is what he had to say regarding his termination at Ubisoft:

“Contrary to any statements made earlier today, this morning I was terminated by Ubisoft,” Desilets told Polygon. “I was notified of this termination in person, handed a termination notice and was unceremoniously escorted out of the building by two guards without being able to say goodbye to my team or collect my personal belongings.

“This was not my decision.”

“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 has stated that the company and Desilets parted ways after “good faith discussions.”

For the full story, please click here.

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