When Assassin's Creed II was announced for iPhone by Ubisoft rather than Gameloft, eyebrows were raised.
Now it's become clear that the French console and PC publisher is taking precedence over its mobile-focused sister company more generally when it comes to key iPhone releases that use its licenses.
Interestingly though, while it's Assassin's Creed II - due out in January - that will formally mark Ubisoft's new strategy on the App Store, its debut release was Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X., which sneaked out at the start of December.
//update: we've been asked to point out that while Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. is a Ubisoft licence, the iPhone version was published by Gameloft.
Considering the number of Ubisoft licences that Gameloft has published on iPhone - everything from Brothers in Arms and Driver, to Avatar, CSI, Shrek and The Settlers - it will be fascinating to see how many games Ubisoft wants to take inhouse, and the impact this has on Gameloft.
//update: we've been asked to point out that Avatar, CSI and Shrek were licensed directly by Gameloft, not through Ubisoft.
For example, it's not yet clear which of the two companies will be developing these games. If it's Gameloft, it will still book revenue, but if it's Ubisoft, then Gameloft will potentially have holes to fill in its schedule and in terms of revenue, as well as having to compete against Ubisoft's games on the App Store.
It does make sense of Gameloft's recent releases though, such as Blades of Fury, N.O.V.A. and Dungeon Hunter, which have involved generic titles and raised accusations of being copycats.
News
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
Related Articles
Top Stories
News
May 28th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast - ustwo games’ María Sayans on the sustainable strategy behind Monument Valley
Feature
1 hour, 14 minutes ago
Supercell's big Squad Busters mistake and how they're missing out on millions
Feature
1 hour, 55 minutes ago
Mobile Mavens: The industry wades in on Squad Busters from its “transformative impact” to being “corporate box ticking”
Events
Unreal Fest Gold Coast 2024 | Australasia | May 29th |
For The Win 2024 | Europe | May 29th |
Indie Craft K-Game Festival 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
Indie Game Fest & Indie Campus 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
Game Access Conference 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
GDCy Fest 2024 | May 31st | |
GameSummit Summer 2024 | Jun 1st | |
Gaymer Pride | North America | Jun 1st |