When Assassin's Creed II: Discovery arrives on the App Store on February 1, it not only will mark the latest release of a blockbuster franchise on iPhone and iPod touch but a break between publishers Ubisoft and Gameloft.

Gameloft's exclusive partnership in terms of access to Ubisoft's licences in the iPhone market ends with this game and signals a new venture for Ubisoft - a company that has thrived on mammoth console games.

Ubisoft's alliance with Gameloft continues unchanged with regard to other mobile platforms - and Gameloft will still get access to some console licences for iPhone publishing - but Ubisoft's decision to handle iPhone development internally marks a shift in how game companies view the App Store.

Enter the Ubisoft

Producer Ben Mattes oversaw development of Assassin's Creed II, both console and handheld versions of the game, including the upcoming iPhone iteration. For him, the transition into iPhone development is natural.

"Clearly, consumers are purchasing these devices for gaming," he observes. "As such, it makes sense to roll it into Ubisoft's portfolio."

The iPhone joins PSP and DS to form a trio of portable platforms for which Ubisoft develops, yet recent troubles with the latter two handhelds in the face of tremendous iPhone and iPod touch sales are prompting the move.

Concerns of piracy on DS recently prompted the company to scale back its support of the platform, though Mattes contends that it's less of a concern on iPhone.

"Too much money is being lost on DS due to piracy, whereas the dynamic nature of iPhone with new hardware and firmware upgrades ensures the constant evolution of piracy solutions."

Appealing to all

A more diverse audience on iPhone and iPod touch also poses potential for a diverse line-up without the need to separate hardcore and casual titles between different platforms.

"You're likely to see us do it all," Mattes says. "We're taking a stab at hardcore, a stab at casual. There's going to be a mix of original and established properties."

Interest in developing iPhone-specific titles is high within the company, though Mattes outlines the need for learning the market and ramping up development resources before taking the plunge.

Also of note is the idea of expanding Ubisoft's proprietary Uplay platform beyond consoles to iPhone. Likened to a third-party Xbox Live with accomplishments and bonuses for playing Ubisoft games, Mattes sees potential in the idea. "I'd be interested in seeing Uplay as the glue between our iPhone titles."

What is certain, though, is that iPhone will continue to play a role in the Assassin's Creed franchise. "As more happens in the Assassin's Creed universe," Mattes tells us, "expect to see more on iPhone."
Assassin's Creed II: Discovery is slated for release on February 1 on iPhone and iPod touch for $9.99/£5.99.