Ubisoft's Jade Raymond steps down

 

Veteran game developer Jade Raymond announced her departure from Ubisoft early Tuesday, October 21. "I've spent 10 extraordinary years at Ubisoft, and I am proud to have been part of many of the best teams in the industry making truly remarkable games," Raymond said in a prepared statement.

 

Prior to the announcement, Raymond was the managing director of Ubisoft Toronto where she oversaw 'Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist.' Alexandre Parizeau replaces Raymond as the new managing director at the end of this month. During this transition phase, Ubisoft Toronto will be putting the finishing touches on 'Far Cry 4' and 'Assassin's Creed: Unity'

 

"I've spent 10 extraordinary years at Ubisoft, and I am proud to have been part of many of the best teams in the industry making truly remarkable games," Raymond said in a prepared statement. "This is one of the hardest decisions of my career, but the Toronto studio is strong and on a solid path. I’m confident that now is a good time for me to transition leadership of the studio to Alex and to pursue my other ambitions and new opportunities." 

 

"Stay tuned for more on what’s next for me, but for now, I'd like to thank Ubisoft for its partnership through the years, and I wish them the very best in all their next endeavours," she added. Raymond told Polygon that she won't be leaving the game industry, but did not say what she will be doing next.

 

Raymond got her start in the game industry as a programmer for Sony, where she eventually helped in the creation of Sony Online's first Research and Development group. She then went on to work at Electronic Arts as a producer for the ill-fated 'Sims Online' MMO and as a correspondent for the long-running electronic entertainment show 'The Electric Playground' before landing at Ubisoft Montreal.

 

Raymond's ten-year-long history with the company began at the Montreal studio as a producer for 'Assassin's Creed' and executive producer on 'Assassin's Creed 2.' Raymond worked closely with series' director Patrice Desilets and many of the technical leads to develop the franchise. As an executive producer at Ubisoft Montreal, Raymond oversaw the development of new properties like 'Watch_Dogs' and 'The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot.' As Ubisoft Toronto's founding managing director, Raymond was integral in establishing the young studio.

 

Her replacement, Alexandre Parizeau, is just as much a veteran of the industry. Parizeau served as senior producer on 'Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist' and producer on both ''Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction' and 'Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas.' According to the press release from Ubisoft, Parizeau will oversee Toronto's "continued role as a key contributor to the development of some of the biggest brands at Ubisoft, as well as a number of unannounced projects."

 

Yannis Mallat, CEO of Ubisoft Montreal and Toronto had the following to say: "On behalf of Ubisoft, I'd like to thank Jade for her leadership and many contributions over the years, and wish her all the best in her next adventures." Mallat added, "The Toronto studio is a key part of the Ubisoft global network, and Alex has been at the heart of the studio's growth over the years. He was the obvious choice to lead this talented group of people as they continue to develop amazing games." — TJD, GMA News