So what is Panache Digital Games? It’s a brand new AAA game development studio, based in Montreal and founded with my good friend and long-time ally, Jean-Francois Boivin, in the summer of 2014.
Indeed AAA Games, I believe in them. I believe wholeheartedly that this medium we call “video games” can be a positive force for change in our society and that AAA quality gaming experiences have unmatched strength to achieve this. For you see, dear friends, I’ve always had an underlying ambition in my work: to move the world of games. It is with this motivation that I designed Assassin's Creed. I believe that, somehow, I succeeded in my mission. This gives me great motivation, ambition and heart to continue the adventure.
Unfortunately however, this letter will not reveal what we’re currently working on over at Panache. Not right now, it’s just a tiny bit too soon. What I will say is that we’re working on a 3rd person Historical-Action-Survival game. Something that we have done quite well in the past. !
Patrice Desilets announces episodic Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
Panache's first project
Our first game is Ancestors : the Humankind Odyssey.
Our game is a third person action-adventure survival episodic game.
Through each episodes, we want the player to relive the greatest moments of mankind with a documentary twist. Our civilisation is one idea away from extinction... or evolution.
Patrice Desilets and Ubisoft come to an agreement over 1666, Patrice owns IP
Ubisoft and Patrice Désilets have come to an agreement over the rights to project 1666 Amsterdam
Ubisoft and Mr. Patrice Désilets have agreed today to put an end to the legal dispute with regards to project 1666 Amsterdam. Following this agreement, Mr. Désilets is withdrawing his legal action against Ubisoft from the Superior Court of Québec. The company thereby also give the rights of project 1666 Amsterdam to Mr. Désilets, who will hereafter have all creative and business control over the project.
“Putting aside our past differences, Patrice and I are above all interested in the creation of videogames and the evolution of this medium of entertainment,” said Yannis Mallat, Chief Executive Officer of Ubisoft Montréal and Toronto. “This agreement is good news for everyone. Ubisoft’s creative teams are currently working on innovative projects that will mark our industry for years to come. This is precisely where we want to focus our energy, on our teams, to continue what we have been building in Quebec for nearly 20 years. As we have always said, Patrice is a talented designer and we wish him all the best in the development of his future endeavours.”
“I’m glad Ubisoft and I were able to come to an agreement that will allow me to obtain the rights to project 1666 Amsterdam,” said Mr. Désilets. “I will now devote myself entirely to the development of Ancestors: the Humankind Odyssey, my next game with Panache Digital Games. This is what matters most to me today: making the best games and showing the world the creative talent of Quebecers. I also wish every success to the Ubisoft teams.”
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey new teaser trailer, no longer episodic
Two years after its initial announcement, Patrice Desilets-led studio Panache Digital Games has released a new teaser trailer for Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey.
The third-person action adventure survival game will let players “relive the early story of mankind with a documentary twist.”
The teaser trailer was first shown at Reboot Develop 2017 in Croatia today. Desilets shared new information about the game during a live presentation. Here is the summary, via VG247:
The game is no longer episodic as it’s grown too big.
The game is currently playable but isn’t ready to release anytime soon. Panache does have a date in mind for release so it’s not a “ship when it’s ready” affair.
“It’s a third-person action adventure game set 10 million to 2 million years ago,” according to Desilets.
There will be resource management and survival elements.
The team has discussed cannibalism and whether it should feature in the game as it has in human history.
On fighting or tribal conflict in the game: “Eventually, maybe, there will be conflict [in the game] but it’s not there yet.”
The game was originally about playing “hour to hour” when episodic, now it’s “open, bigger” and “has systems working together”.
The same animator who created Ezio in Assassin’s Creed and the prince in Prince of Persia is working on the characters of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey.
A significant part of the game is set in Africa: “the game world is big,” says Desilets, but he’s not keen to spoil too much of the game ahead of the release.
“It’s the first time I’ve created a character who interacts with the jungle. There are no walls.
What’s the light like? I’ve never worked on that before. There’s no sword, no swordfights. Eventually you get a branch…”
Desilets wants players to “have fun with the toy I’m giving you and you’ll create the story of your ancestors.”
Desilet’s other project, 1666: Amsterdam, is currently on hold while work continues on Ancestors.
The project is “well funded” and being built by 32 staff at the studio in Montreal. When you work at Panache, no one works on a Monday.
On hiring female staff to work on his game: “If the candidate has a dick he’s not hired. I’m not telling the story of humankind only with guys. It didn’t happen that way. You need to make babies.”
While it didn’t share any additional information today, Panache Digital Games said that there is “much more to come in 2017.”