Former Assassin’s Creed creative director Patrice Désilets will join THQ in summer 2011 where he will head-up a new THQ-owned development studio based in Montreal.
When Désilets joins the studio, he will be charged with the hiring of a new team that will develop new intellectual properties for THQ.
“The best way we can deliver fresh, high-quality gaming experiences is by working with the best talent. THQ is delighted to have the opportunity to make a brilliant addition to our team next year with Patrice Désilets,” said Danny Bilson, THQ executive vice president, Core Games. “We expect calendar 2011 to be a watershed year for THQ, and adding developers like Patrice helps ensure our focus on new IP and great games charted by leading industry artists.”
Désilets left Ubisoft in June 2010. At the time Ubisoft said: “With his role on project essentially done, Patrice Désilets has decided to take a creative break from the industry and is no longer working on Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood.”
Although unlikely to be recognised in the mainstream, Désilets had a major role in the creation of Assassin’s Creed which has gone on to become Ubisoft’s most prized possession – the second game in the franchise has shipped around nine million units.
THQ will be hoping some of that success rubs off on whatever new IP Désilets’ new studio creates – although the fruits aren’t likely to be seen for some time. The publisher’s recent break-out hits include Saints Row and Darksiders, though neither can challenge the success of Assassin’s Creed.
