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Ubisofts 20th Birthday

I�ve done my homework on the little (big) French game company with some very surprising facts about their published games and also about the company itself, I�m sure they�ll surprise you too..

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When I first heard Ubisoft will be having their 20th Anniversary this year the very first thing that ran through my head was �They�ve been around for 20 years already?� I�ve done my homework on the little (big) French game company with some very surprising facts about their published games and also about the company itself, I�m sure they�ll surprise you too..

It all started back in 1986 when five French brothers we�re arguing over who should walk to the nearest 7/11 and pick up another bottle of red, OK maybe that didn�t happen but I�ve seen enough French SBS movies to know so� Anyway, these five brothers of the Guillemot family founded Ubisoft as a computer game publisher. Yves Guillemot took the lead and began making deals with other companies to help dish out Ubisoft�s games to France.

In 1987 Ubisoft released its very first game titled �Asphal�t for the PC. The game was played with a top down view of a truck which you controlled while avoiding obstacles, the mission was to deliver the goods to� well, where ever.

By 1988 Ubisoft released their second game titled �NightHunter�, which was released on all platforms at the time, being DOS, Amiga, Atari ST and ZX Spectrum. You play as Dracula seeking holy medallions to create further chaos on Earth.

1989 had come upon us and that damn 80�s era is near extinction, by then Ubisoft had published and developed three titles, Iron Lord, Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis Tour and TwinWorld: Land of Vision. Iron Lord was an action adventure game which was only released to the Frenchies. The game�s story was about your character returning to his homeland only having it being destroyed, his goal is to build an army and to vanquish those who did.

Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis Tour was.. you guessed it, endorsed by Jimmy Connors which was released on most platforms back then.. eventually hitting the Super Nintendo. Ubisoft introduced unique controls to the game by aiding in a cross-air to help control exactly where you hit the ball on the court. Finally, TwinWorld: Land of Vision was a fantasy game, giving players the opportunity to play as Ulopa, as the sole survivor of Muldar�s destruction of his home land. Ulopa sets out to seek all of the missing 23 pieces missing from the magical amulet. TwinWorld was released on all major platforms.

1990 has hit us in the face and so did Ubisoft with eleven titles on different platforms such as Unreal (no, not the fps), Zombi, Jupiter�s MasterDriver and Ranx. When I looked up game details for Ranx I lol�d so hard. Get this, it�s an action adventure (Ubisoft�s favourite genre) and you play as a Cyborg to cease a virus from spreading, you must defeat all foes in your way which include Ninja�s, Homosexuals, and the Chinese. A game that Jack Thompson is yet to find.

As human society dings level 1991, Ubisoft releases a Super Happy Fun Gaming Pack for the PC, also known as �10 Great Games� which contains Jimmy�s popular tennis game and NightHunter. Later that year Ubisoft also release a turn-based game for the PC known as Celtic Legends, where two magicians battle it out while the world is at war.

1992 comes along very nicely for Ubisoft as they release Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back for Nintendo Entertainment System and the Gameboy. The game focuses much on the movie as players take control of Luke Skywalker. Ubisoft also release Koshan Conspiracy a strategy game which is based on a character called Jehen Menais as he investigates murder on Agent Sylvia Hatfore.

Yay! 1993 is here and so is Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade! The action game takes place as you play Indy and try to locate the Holy Grail. The sweet yet short game contained only 4 levels and was released on all platforms.

As we embark 1994 Ubisoft open an in-house developer studio in Montreuil (France) which later became their HQ. Ubisoft also releases Street Racer for the Super Nintendo, which was a unique Mario Kart clone in its own way.

1995 was a remarkable year for Ubisoft as they introduce their (un-official) mascot Rayman by releasing Rayman on the Jaguar and the Playstation. Rayman was a very enjoyable side scrolling platformer. Although Rayman wasn�t selling so well on the Jaguar it was a booming success on the Playstation, plus it was the most played title for the Playstation�s early years.

1996 is here and so is Planet of Death (POD). POD was a racing game for the PC, it was set in the future on Planet Lo. Civilisation was set to be doomed as a virus was released causing havoc for the citizens, their only option was to escape via space ships but there was only 1 left and there are many of you. It was then decided amongst them that there should be racing tournament held and the winner takes the ship! Because, you know.. when you�re planet is facing doom, you�re running out of time and you need to save your life, nothing like having a death racing tournament to cheer you up!

As we settle into 1997 Ubisoft releases an exclusive title for the PC known as Rayman Gold, as well as Rayman Designer. Rayman Designer allowed players to design their own levels and play �em. Rayman Gold included Rayman Designer plus the Original Rayman game with bonus extra�s like 24 new levels, new objectives to collect 100 �tings� before completing the level, plus others. Also released this year was Sub Culture, an action-adventure game developed by Criterion. Criterion are well known for developing games such as Black and the Burnout series.

As gamers reached level 1998, Ubisoft releases Rayman Forever exclusively for the PC. Rayman forever featured forty extra levels keeping the Rayman franchise alive and pumping. That�s about it, I guess Ubisoft we�re too busy playing Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, you can�t blame them can ya?

While we were partying like it was 1999, things were starting to take off for Ubisoft. Ubisoft signed deals with Fever Pitch Studios and published a real-time strategy game known as Conquest: Frontier Wars. Ubisoft also release its first Tom Clancy game, Tom Clancy�s Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear for the Playstation, PC, MAC (lol), and Dreamcast.

Another Rayman collection was released this year which included all the previous titles about Rayman known as �Rayman: Collection Edition�. This was done by Ubisoft to get the gamers hyped up about the next biggest instalment for Rayman called Rayman 2: The Great Escape later that year. It was released for Playstation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PC, Gameboy Colour and then later for the Playstation 2 (notice there is no MAC, kwtfpwned). Rayman 2 was the first Rayman game to be done in 3D.

As we enter the new millennium Ubisoft cracks a deal with Red Storm Entertainment. Red Storm Entertainment is famous for being founded by techno-spy novelist Tom Clancy. This was simply one of the best moves Ubisoft have performed, they have gained much interest from gamers and fanboi�s alike.

Ubisoft also releases a deluxe edition of Myst known as Myst: Master Piece Edition. An expansion was also released for Tom Clancy�s Rogue Spear and was known as Rogue Spear: Urban Operations.

In 2001 Ubisoft cash in the big bucks and purchase Blue Byte Software, famously known for the Settlers series they created and developed. Ubisoft also schedule titles like F1 Racing Championship, Conflict Zone and Rayman M to be the Playstation 2�s line up launch titles. Ubisoft also kept its PC relationship going by releasing titles such as Battle Realms, Myst III, Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Dannor and IL-2 Sturmovik. The first Gameboy Advance by Ubisoft was also released this year called Lunar Legend.

2002 rocks up and so does Ubisoft with Catz 5, Dogz 5, Chessmaster 9000, Destroyer Command, Warlords Battlecry 2 exclusively for the PC. Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind was also released on the PC and Xbox making it the biggest title for 2002. Rayman Arena which was a Mario Party clone was also released on consoles.

The time is 2003 and this was reported as Ubisoft�s most vital year, they are now effective in twenty two countries with nine of them having Ubisoft design or production studios (Including Australia, yay!). Ubisoft also rethink their name and logo. Originally Ubisoft was known as Ubi Soft and their old logo was changed from a colourful arch to the purple swirl we know today.

It was also an emotional year for Ubisoft as they released major and successful game titles such as Tom Clancy�s Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia Sands of Time. But they also suffered major loss with that Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu, Crouch Tiger Hidden Dragon and the Sum of all Fears which sadly flopped big time. And then there were the games that were brilliant but not recognised by most gamers (Beyond Good and Evil and XIII)

Ubisoft also release Ghost Recon on consoles, gives Rayman a much wanted return in Rayman: Hoodlum Havoc and releases a not so unique fps game called Will Rock (I should have mentioned that in the �flopped badly� section).

2004 was another milestone for Ubisoft as they announce their employment figures which is brought up to 3,350 staff. Ubisoft also release their most anticipated game of the year, Far Cry which was developed by Crytek. Tom Clancy�s Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow and Prince of Persia Warrior Within we�re also released.

Ghost Recon 2 was made exclusive for Gamecube, Xbox and Playstation 2. This suffered a bit because the PC (which was used to the title) had to miss out. Rocky Legends was also released but wasn�t up to the expectations gamers were anticipating. Electronic Arts buys 19.9% stake in Ubisoft, this move was feared by gamers to be the beginning of EA�s take over, however we are yet to see something bad out of this.

In 2005 Ubisoft releases Far Cry Instincts for the Xbox which became a quick favourite to gamers because of the online features. Prince of Persia gets its third instalment with Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones which brought back classic and mostly loved gameplay that Warrior Within roughly skipped. Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 was released and was a popular World War II shooter for the year. Ubisoft also announces its support for the Nintendo DS by scheduling Asphalt Urban GT, Rayman DS, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory and Sprung as its line up.

Welcome to 2006, Tom Clancy�s Advanced Warfighter was released earlier this year for the PC and Xbox 360 and was the soul reason why I picked up the 360 myself. Ubisoft also releases Enchanted Arms which is exclusive and being the first J-RPG title for the Xbox 360. Ubisoft has kept this year relatively quiet with releases, but let�s not forget that Tom Clancy�s Splinter Cell Double Agent, Tom Clancy�s Rainbow Six Las Vegas, and Dark Messiah Might and Magic are right around the corner.

This year Ubisoft also announces its love for the Nintendo Wii by revealing eight games ready for and shortly after the Wii launch on November (7th December for Australia). Games like Red Steel, Far Cry and Rayman Raving Rabbids. Ubisoft also purchase the Driver franchise.

As 2007 approaches, gamers will already have their Wii in their hands (Ladies and Gentlemen, the worst Wii joke ever) and soon the Playstation 3. By this time Ubisoft would be closing in on its launch of its most anticipated game for next year, Assassins Creed for the PS3 and 360 plus many more Wii, PS3 and 360 titles to come.

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