Features// Let's Visit Ubisoft

Investment is being pumped into companion apps too. As I mentioned in my Watch_Dogs write up, this feels like the first time an app is actually worth the time and bandwidth to download it.

Seizing control of a living city and challenging an at-home player to complete tasks in a set time, then having everything return to normal once the five minutes are up so they can continue with their "real" game... it's brilliant, and it actually works.

Games developed specifically for mobile platforms seem to be a big push for the future too, with an entirely new version of Trials due in early 2014 as well as a sequel to Rayman Jungle Run and a Rabbids-based title too.

iOS seems to be the main focus (not surprisingly), but these aren't just games that are being farmed out to far-off studios that'll have a branding slapped on them no matter what ends up being created. Red Lynx are responsible for Trials Frontier, and the iOS build feels every bit as challenging as its bigger console siblings.



The same can be said of Rayman Fiesta Run – it's as pretty as the 'regular' games, but simplified enough for younger players to get into while offering even experienced players a challenge. It'll be interesting to see where the mobile and tablet games go in the next year, especially with the introduction of Assassin's Creed: Pirates...

These Ubisoft people know what they're doing. They're friendly, they're talented, and they're making some really great games. Unafraid of trying something different, Ubisoft studios seem to not worry about chucking a load of stuff at a wall and seeing what sticks, then using that information to do something new.



Even in upcoming releases that don't really interested me such as The Crew – I've never really been one for driving games, sorry – I can see the effort that's been put in, and the quality that comes out of such a huge amount of work.



And yet, Ubisoft still sits in that little bit of my heart reserved for small pets, homemade trifles and favourite sweaters. They may be huge, an international powerhouse, but to me Ubisoft will always be The Little Company That Could. I mean, Ubisoft made Scott Pilgrim vs The World – they could burn my house down and I'd still forgive them. Now, if it would just speed up the release of The Division, that'd make my day.