Ubisoft

• French video game publisher.• Began as just a publisher. Started to develop games

in early 1990’s.• Studios in 17 countries.• More than 5,000 employees.• 3rd largest video game publisher in Europe.• 4th largest video game publisher in America.• Sales FY 2009- 2010: 871 million euros.• The company has long been interested in motion

controls and 3D cameras for videogame.

Ubisoft Sales Figures

• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®: 23 million

• Assassin’s Creed: 19 million

• Prince of Persia: 16 million 

• Driver: 15 million

• Just Dance 2: 5 million

• Just Dance: 4 million

Other Ubisoft games for the Wii include:• Animaniacs• Anno 1404• Blazing Angels 2• Circus Games• CSI: Hard Evidence• Driver: Parallell lines• GT Pro• Grey’s Anatomy: The video game• Imagine Fashion Party• Avatar: The Game• Michael Jackson: The Experience• Movie Games • Petz• Red Steel• Surf’s Up• Tenchu: Shadow Assassins• Your Shape

Ubisoft Controversies

• Complaints from customers about StarForce copy protection on games (compatability issues with some OSs.)

• 2008: Electronic Gaming Monthly claims Ubisoft no longer provide them with games for coverage due to negative reviews.

• In 2008 sued  Optical Experts Manufacturing for leaking Assassins’ Creed.

Just Dance key facts:

• Released November 2009.

• Only on Wii.• Single and multiplayer

modes.• Mixed to negative

reviews: no unlockable features, no progression, ‘sloppy’ controls.

• Fastest selling Wii 3rd party game ever: sold 2m in first 4 months.

• Now 2nd highest 3rd party Wii game (behind Just Dance 2).

Just Dance 2 (JD2)

• Released October 2010.• 4 new dance modes, including ‘Just Sweat’; an

exercise mode.• Includes a range of DLC,

sometimes seasonal.• Mixed to positive reviews: still

lacks depth, but improvedvisuals and good multi- player modes.

• Nominated for Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice award (2011).

‘Just Dance Game’ on facebook

• Liked by 731,012 people• Includes links to buy• Encourages people to share videos and get

involved in a ‘Just Dance’ community

• (In contrast, ‘Red Dead Redemption’ is only liked by 208,646 people. )

Just Dance 2 Advertising

America:

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quH5G_Tw8sY

UK:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk-c4f_HU4k&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_qECOFvfH8

Red Dead Redemption Advertising

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feeMDkF8CFs

Trailer:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCqklBZF0Jo&NR=1&feature=fvwp

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_O5HV97NUI&feature=relmfu

Practise exam question:15 minutes planning, 45 minutes to write

To what extent is production, marketing and distribution important for an institution's success in the British marketplace?

• Candidates focus on one of the following media areas though you may make reference to other media where relevant to your answer.• Film• Music• Newspapers• Radio• Magazines• Video games[50 marks]