There’s no denying it – 2020 was tough. We braced a global pandemic and had to quickly adapt to the new normal.
Yet, despite the challenges, we’re thankful because it was still a momentous year for growth and rediscovery. At the first Ubisoft Forward, we joined our partner studios in revealing Far Cry 6. Then near the holidays we shipped Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, our eighth AAA title and our third flagship Assassin’s Creed game after Origins and Odyssey.
Our New Lobby. We added Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6 to our projects.
If anything, 2020 was a confirmation of our studio’s values. Join us as we look back on some highlights of the year and pick up lessons and interesting tidbits along the way.
GUARDING AGAINST COVID: Staying Two Steps Ahead
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Our strategy is to always be two steps ahead – to anticipate the needs of our people.
As early as January, we were already distributing free face masks and sanitation kits. When COVID-19 arrived in March, we activated our crisis cell, led by studio management, sent everyone home, and delivered care packages containing groceries, masks, vitamins, and other quarantine essentials.
RETURN TO OFFICE: Ubi Safe & Healthy
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While everyone was WFH, we took the time to prepare the studio for the new normal by exceeding all required safety measures.
Our three-story building was professionally deep-cleaned. We hired a full-time nurse to check on everyone’s health and temperature daily. Each floor was re-arranged. Workstations were spread farther apart and with only two people per table.
Everything was ready when our first batch of employees returned. And at their desks, they found their personal #UbiSafe&Healthy pack, complete with masks and other COVID-19 prevention items.
KEEPING THE UBI SPIRIT ALIVE: How We Stayed #SeriousAboutFun
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The obvious drawback of WFH is that everyone’s away from each other. This was one of 2020’s biggest challenge – how do we stay connected?
As part of our internal Comms initiative, we launched our first-ever series of digital-only events – the Ubi Music Room, Workout Wednesdays, Virtual Game Nights, Art Jams and more. We also sent everyone Wellness Packs and had virtual Zumba, Yoga, and webinars on diet and mental health. We celebrated old events in new formats. This was what flexibility in 2020 was all about – adjusting to change but still working towards the same goals as a studio.
MORE THINGS IN STORE
There’s definitely a lot more in store for Ubisoft Philippines.
Since 2016, we’ve had the pleasure of co-developing 10 AAA titles. Our teams working on Valhalla, Far Cry 6, Skull & Bones and other unannounced projects are eager to make more kick-ass games. We have a lot of plans for this year like continuing our free game dev webinars, The Ubiversity Series, strengthening our partnership with the academe, organizing wellness events, and sharing our team members’ stories and experiences.
The pandemic will continue to present us challenges, but after a relentless 2020, we’ve only grown tougher and wiser. The past year has proven that even in this new normal, our studio values remain the same.
We’re more than ready for 2021.