Today Ubisoft announced the creation of a new videogame development studio that will employ 200 designers, animators and programmers in Quebec City. This announcement is part of the recently announced project to create 1000 new jobs by 2010 in Quebec, thereby bringing its total number of employees to 2000 in the province.

Ubisoft announced today its product catalog for fiscal year 2005-2006 (ending March 31, 2006). Ubisoft management has decided to release Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Lockdown in the first half of fiscal year 2005-2006, rather than in March 2005. Read more for other new titles suchs as 187 Ride or Die, the earlier revealed And 1 sports titles, Killing Day, World War II Squadron, new titles in the Prince of Persia, Ghost Recon, Brothers in Arms, and Silent Hunter series, and not one, but two new Might & Magic products.

Ubisoft announced today that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement to make videogames with AND 1, the performance basketball footwear and apparel company best known for its Mix Tape Tour property and its more than 100 endorsers in the NBA.

Lumines is an addictive, hip, and stylistic musical puzzler reminiscent of Tetris that transcends any puzzle game to date. Created by renowned designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi of REZ, Sega Rally, and Space Channel 5 fame, this puzzle game delivers a unique gameplay experience that challenges players to bust blocks while grooving to evolving rock, techno, and pop musical scores.

At the Game Developer Conference, AGEIA Technologies, Inc. announced that Epic Games and Ubisoft will support AGEIA's PhysX chip, the world's first dedicated physics processing unit (PPU).

Ubisoft announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire MC2-Microids (Microids Canada) Canadian development operations and integrate them into its Montreal studio. The closing of this agreement is subject to requirements to be met by the two parties. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Following this agreement, Microids Canada's fifty employees will be integrated into Ubisoft's Montreal studio operations. This agreement does not cover any of MC2-Microids intellectual property or projects currently under development.

PlayFirst and Ubisoft today announced the launch of Chessmaster Challenge, a downloadable PC game based on the award-winning Chessmaster series. Designed for chess players of all levels, Chessmaster Challenge can be a teacher, mentor or the ultimate opponent. One hour of full-version gameplay is available for free and an unlimited version of the game can be downloaded for $19.95.

Today Ubisoft announces that it will be developing a series of sports titles, making its debut as a publisher of sports videogames. Its entrance will be propelled by several worldwide licensing agreements and acquisitions. Ubisoft has signed an exclusive license with Vijay Singh, the No.1 ranked golf player in the world, to produce a Vijay Singh-titled golf game. The company has also acquired the team sports assets from Microsoft Game Studios.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Ubisoft and Electronic Arts are holding talks two months after Ubisoft dismissed EA's acquisition of a near-20 percent stake in the French video game maker as "hostile." While there is no official comment from either side, the talks are still preliminary and running parallel with other approaches that family-run Ubisoft is making, such as the recent 10% capital reinforcement by the Guillemot controlled Guillemot Brothers S.A, to bring their shares up to 22%.

Today, Ubisoft announced the creation of the Ubisoft Campus in Montreal, a training institute which will offer a series of college and university level training programs in the key video game development fields.

Ubisoft announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with Bandai to publish Lumines for the PSP. The critically acclaimed music and luminary action puzzle Lumines is slated for release in the United States in March 2005. Read more for details and screens ...

Ubisoft today reveals three additional titles currently in development for the Nintendo DS.

• Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (spring 2005)
• King Kong (holiday season 2005)
• Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

Ubisoft today announced that not just one but two Rayman titles will launch simultaneously in March 2005: Rayman DS and Rayman: Hoodlums Revenge for Game Boy Advance. both Rayman titles will be available at the manufacturers suggested retail price of $29.99.

Ubisoft announced today that it has signed a licensing agreement with DIC Entertainment, a leading children's entertainment company, to create videogames based on the new Trollz. The new Trollz are a stylish group of teen friends that grow up in a spectacular world of gnomes, ogres, dragons and magic. The exclusive, worldwide agreement includes interactive games based on the tween entertainment and lifestyle property for all existing game formats.

Electronic Arts announced today that it has completed its previously announced purchase of 3,497,049 shares of Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. from Talpa Beheer B.V. for a purchase price of 19.69 Euros per share.

Ubisoft today announced that it has chosen Montreal for the next phase of its international development. Ubisoft plans to create 1000 new jobs in its Montreal division, which is internationally reputed for innovation and creativity.

Ubisoft today announced it will publish Puzzle Pirates, the first pirate-themed online game. In Puzzle Pirates, players play fun puzzle games to earn status and prestige. Developed by Three Rings Design, Puzzle Pirates is slated for release in April with a suggested retail price of $19.99, which includes a free month of playing time, exclusive in-game items, and special single-player, offline versions of the more popular puzzles in the game.

Today Ubisoft announced an exclusive multi-title licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to develop and publish games based on "Open Season" and "Surf's Up," the first two feature-length animated films from Sony Pictures Animation.

A few days ago Ubisoft announced that it was working on a plan to defend itself against what it considers "a hostile takeover" from Electronic Arts. Today French financial newspaper La Tribune may have revealed more on the matter as it ran an article in which it claims that Ubisoft is having positive talks with Take Two and Activision to form a front against EA. Ubisoft President Yves Guillemot is also quoted as saying that he is working with the shareholders to ensure they act in the best interest of the company and stay on the same page as the Guillemot family.

The French government said on Tuesday it was concerned about French video games group Ubisoft but would not intervene directly in the fate of the company, seen as a potential takeover target.

Ubisoft and inXile entertainment jointly announce a new European publishing deal for The Bard's Tale. This action-role playing game (RPG) with a twist has been developed by inXile, founded by Brian Fargo, the creator of the original The Bard's Tale. The terms of the agreement give Ubisoft exclusive publishing and distribution rights in most of Europe for the PS2, Xbox and PC versions of the game. The title is expected to hit stores this March.

After Reuters reported yesterday that Infogrames CEO Bruno Bonnell might be willing to help out Ubisoft in its defense against a hostile take over from EA, todays rumour involves a possible merger between Vivendi and Ubisoft according to French newspaper L'Agefi. Either publisher had no comment but it is safe to say that a merger between Vivendi Universal Games and Ubisoft would create the largest video games group in Europe. Analysts said the tie-up would be encouraged by the French government which would be concerned about seeing French games technology fall in foreign hands.

UPDATE : "In view of the rumors reported in the press, Vivendi Universal denies that any negotiations are taking place concerning the takeover of Ubisoft."

Ubi Soft could receive government support in its fight against the threat of a takeover by US video games giant Electronic Arts, La Tribune newspaper reported without naming its sources (thanks VE3D). Read more for details ...

Electronic Arts today announced an investment in international game developer and publisher UbiSoft Entertainment. The investment represents approximately 19.9 percent interest in the company, shares purchased as a block from Dutch investment company Talpa Beheer B.V. to be completed upon obtaining antitrust clearance from the U.S. government. Financial terms were not disclosed. It is not apparent if this is part of a hostile takeover, but if approved, this would instantly make EA the biggest shareholder of Ubisoft.

Ubisoft launched an eBay auction for three unique video game packages with all proceeds to benefit the San Francisco Food Bank, the largest distributor of food to low-income people in San Francisco.