Ubisoft have decided that the next step in their international development should focus on their Montreal branch, meaning they'll be 1000 less jobless people in Montreal.

Off the back of several successes, such as Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory and Prince of Persia Warrior Within, Ubisoft have been developing their international branches to increase production rates and quality. Ubisoft have now announced that they will be improving their branch in Montreal, Canada.

"The interactive games industry is growing rapidly and we expect it to double within seven years," said Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft's CEO and co-founder. "Ubisoft is home to the second-largest creative team in the industry and it has a world-leading studio in Montreal. These are two critical elements for the future, especially considering that the next generation of game consoles will offer unparalleled potential in terms of content and technology.

"This investment strengthens Ubisoft's leadership in the industry and allows it to develop the blockbuster games of the next five years. This maximizes the unique potential of the Montreal studio, which has already developed some of the most successful interactive games in the world, including Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six, and Prince of Persia."

Ubisoft has the backing of Quebec and Canada's government because of the aid to the economy they have provided since opening in 1997.

"We've grown by 50 per cent in the last 14 months alone, we already have over 1,000 members in our team, and I expect we'll double that number by 2010," Martin Tremblay, Ubisoft Montreal's CEO said. "Montreal was competing with cities in Asia, the US and Western Canada for this investment.

"We've grown by 50 per cent in the last 14 months alone, we already have over 1,000 members in our team, and I expect we'll double that number by 2010," Mr. Tremblay said. "Montreal was competing with cities in Asia, the US and Western Canada for this investment.

"Government support, especially in the form of reimbursable tax credits from the province for the production of multimedia projects, were important factors," Mr. Tremblay added, "and I must say that the talent and resources here in Montreal were deciding factors in Ubisoft's decision."

"Our Montreal studio stands out because of the creativity of our team and the sophisticated products we deliver," said Mr. Guillemot. "Our talented and expert creative team is known to millions of interactive game players around the world, players who recognize how products are developed here in Montreal. Government support expected between 2005-2010 was a key factor in our choice of Montreal for our next phase of development. "