Ubisoft and Patrice Désilets come to a settlement over rights to 1666: Amsterdam game. According to the press release, both sides made statements on the resolution.
“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,” stated Yannis Mallat, CEO of Ubisoft Montréal/Toronto.
“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,” wrote Désilets. “I will now devote myself entirely to the development of Ancestors:the Humankind Odyssey, my next game with Panache Digital Games.”
The two sides had a long disagreement with each other. This olive branch between groups is promising.
Since this lawsuit has gone on for three years, it might help to refresh your memory. Patrice Désilets was let go from Ubisoft in May 2013, and it led to the start of a legal battle for the rights to 1666: Amsterdam and a $400,000 cash settlement. “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.” he told Polygon at the time.
That was the second time that Patrice Désilets left Ubisoft, having previously left in May 2010 to take a “creative break”. In October of that year, he came back with an announcement that he was going to be involved with THQ studios. Which finally brought Patrice back to Ubsoft in January 2013, after Ubisoft purchased the Montreal THQ studio Patrice worked at, along with the rights to 1666: Amsterdam.
Which led to the three year legal battle that lasted from June 2013 up until today. It was speculated that Ubisoft was still working on the title, after they filed a trademark over 1666 last week.
You can check out the press release on Patrice Desilets studio’s website.
