Sunday, 17 Nov 2024

Life After Ubisoft: Patrice Désilets and the Birth of Panache Digital Games

On May 7, 2013, Patrice Désilets, the creator of Assassin’s Creed, had his life turned upside down. He was terminated by Ubisoft, the company he had left three years prior, and his highly anticipated game, 1666: Amsterdam, was left in limbo. But instead of giving up, Désilets decided to take control of his own destiny and start his own independent studio, Panache Digital Games.

The Journey to Independence

Désilets’ career at Ubisoft was filled with successes, from rebooting the Prince of Persia franchise to creating the billion-dollar juggernaut, Assassin’s Creed. But after leaving Ubisoft in 2010, he felt the need to explore new opportunities and have more creative autonomy. 1666: Amsterdam was his vision for the next evolutionary step in the action/adventure genre.

A New Beginning for Panache Digital Games

With Panache Digital Games, Désilets and his team are focused on creating smaller, episodic games with triple-A quality. Their first project, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, takes players on a journey through pivotal moments in human history. The game aims to go beyond violence and explore themes of cooperation and compassion.

Challenges and Opportunities

Starting an independent studio comes with its own set of challenges. Finding the right team of talented developers is crucial, and securing funding is essential. Panache Digital Games believes in paying people their just value and creating a work environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

The Future of Video Games

Désilets envisions a future for video games that goes beyond violence and explores the subtleties of the human condition. He believes that video games still have a long way to go before they can reach the level of impact that movies have. By tackling subject matter that goes beyond traditional game design, Panache Digital Games aims to create games that appeal to a wider audience.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges he has faced, Patrice Désilets remains dedicated to his passion for creating innovative and meaningful video games. With Panache Digital Games, he is determined to make his mark on the industry once again. With their first project, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, Désilets and his team hope to create a game that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the medium. The future looks bright for both Désilets and Panache Digital Games as they continue to chart their own path in the world of video games.

FAQs

  • Q: When will Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey be released?

    • A: Panache Digital Games aims to have the game ready in 18 months.
  • Q: Will Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey have multiplayer elements?

    • A: While the game is currently envisioned as a single-player experience, the episodic format allows for the possibility of adding multiplayer elements if necessary.
  • Q: What platforms will Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey be available on?

    • A: The game will likely debut on PC, but Panache Digital Games intends to release it on all major platforms in the future.