Ubisoft is a large French video game publisher and developer with over 5,000 employees across 17 countries. It is the 3rd largest publisher in Europe and 4th largest in America, with annual sales of 871 million euros in 2009-2010. Some of Ubisoft's most successful franchises include Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (23 million sales), Assassin's Creed (19 million), and Prince of Persia (16 million). Ubisoft also publishes dance games for the Wii like Just Dance and Just Dance 2, which have sold over 9 million copies combined and helped make the Wii the best-selling console of its generation.

1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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).

6. 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 improved
visuals and good multi-
player modes.
• Nominated for Nickelodeon Kids’
Choice award (2011).

9. ‘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. )

10. 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

11. Just Dance 3 Advertising
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=I7v7_dbAqFw
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=QRnMHfaIsHg
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=k7pi4KHUtBk

12. 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]