Key Takeaways
1. Marc-Alexis Cote has left Ubisoft after over 20 years, notably leading the Assassin’s Creed series.
2. He held multiple roles at Ubisoft, including creative director and executive producer, significantly impacting the franchise’s success.
3. His departure comes after a major restructuring at Ubisoft, which included a $1.8 billion investment from Tencent and the creation of Vantage Studios.
4. Cote was offered a leadership position at Vantage Studios but chose to pursue opportunities outside of Ubisoft instead.
5. Ubisoft expressed disappointment at Cote’s exit but acknowledged his contributions to the company and the Assassin’s Creed brand.
Marc-Alexis Cote has departed from Ubisoft after serving the company for over twenty years, particularly known for his leadership in the Assassin’s Creed series.
Cote began his career at Ubisoft in 2005 as a software engineer and gradually advanced within the company. He held multiple positions, such as tools and engine programmer, level designer, and from 2010 onward, he took charge of the Assassin’s Creed series as creative director, senior producer, executive producer, and vice president of executive producer. His departure comes shortly after the establishment of Vantage Studios, a new subsidiary backed by Tencent that will manage major franchises.
Organizational Changes at Ubisoft
His resignation follows a significant restructuring at Ubisoft, announced in March 2025, which included a $1.8 billion investment from Tencent aimed at reducing debt and avoiding potential hostile takeovers. This reorganization separated Ubisoft’s three biggest franchises—Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six—into Vantage Studios, where Tencent owns a 25% share.
Reports from IGN indicate that Cote was offered a leadership role at Vantage Studios but chose not to accept it, instead deciding to explore new opportunities beyond Ubisoft.
Response from Ubisoft Leadership
An email sent to employees by co-CEOs Charlie Guillemot and Christophe Dennes expressed disappointment regarding Cote’s decision but acknowledged and respected his wishes for the new subsidiary’s future.
In response to his exit, Ubisoft released a statement saying:
“Following the organizational restructuring announced in March 2025, Marc-Alexis Cote has chosen to pursue a new path outside of Ubisoft. While we are saddened by his departure, we have confidence that our skilled teams will continue to build upon the strong foundation he helped create.”
They also expressed deep appreciation for the impact Cote had during his time, especially in developing the Assassin’s Creed brand.
Cote’s Legacy in the Franchise
Cote played a significant role in the franchise’s success, having served as Mission Director for Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood in 2010, co-director for Assassin’s Creed III in 2012, and creative director for Assassin’s Creed III: The Tyranny of King Washington in 2013. He also directed Assassin’s Creed Syndicate in 2015 and worked on the DLC, Dreadful Crimes, in 2016, before taking on the role of senior producer for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey in 2018. Additionally, he contributed to the design of the DLC Freedom Cry for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag in 2014.
Beyond Assassin’s Creed, Cote was the Lead Engine Programmer for the 2010 title Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands and served as Executive Producer for Immortals Fenyx Rising in 2020.
Since 2022, he has led Ubisoft’s global teams on Assassin’s Creed, influencing long-term strategy and bolstering it as one of the company’s flagship properties. Throughout his nearly two decades at Ubisoft, Cote has been instrumental in shaping the beloved Assassin’s Creed franchise known today.
IGN
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