Skull and Bones is in trouble after another creative director left. Learn more about Elisabeth Pellen's departure from Ubisoft Singapore, the game's delays, and issues within the Singapore branch.
Ubisoft's Skull and Bones Loses Third Creative Director
A Significant Setback for Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones,
Ubisoft's ambitious open-world pirate adventure, has encountered a snag, with the departure of its third creative director, Elisabeth Pellen, a significant setback for the game's development.
According to Kotaku, Pellen, formerly Vice President of Editorial, was crucial in making Skull & Bones from Ubisoft into a more comprehensive, exploration-driven pirate simulation. The successful execution of this ambition was a defining characteristic of her time at Ubisoft Singapore. Since then, Pellen has been relocated back to Ubisoft's Paris headquarters, where she now holds the position of Directeur Editorial Online, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Elisabeth Pellen oversaw a significant creative rewrite for Skull and Bones. Pellen was commended by Ubisoft for her accomplishment in redesigning the game's course, and it was confirmed that the Skull and Bones team is working furiously to realize her vision.
Skull and Bones Delayed Several Times
Skull and Bones
is one of four crucial games that Ubisoft has been counting on to turn around recent setbacks, making it a vital project for the firm. Fans are hungry for information on the game's development as it has seen multiple delays since its initial 2018 release date. The game will be released by Ubisoft before the end of its fiscal year in March 2024, although no precise internal release date has been set.
Players have had mixed reactions to the closed beta. Some praised the captivating graphics and dynamic world-building. On the other hand, others expressed concern over the lack of material and the same old gaming elements. The trajectory of the game becomes unclear because of these problems.
Concerns About Workplace Treatment and Compensation
The developer of Skull and Bones,
Ubisoft Singapore, is also battling an organized labor movement led by the Singapore Creative Media and Publishing Union (CMPU). This movement highlights broader concerns about studio workplace treatment, equality, and compensation. The CMPU has been aggressively requesting assistance from Ubisoft Singapore's employees. The workforce dynamics at the studio could be impacted by this event.
Elisabeth Pellen's departure was a surprise because initial reports claimed she was supposed to work on the project through the end of the year. Her departure and the ongoing labor disputes at Ubisoft Singapore raise concerns about the future of Skull and Bones
as well as the general working conditions at the studio.
These trying times for Ubisoft reflects the difficulties facing the industry as a whole. The unionization efforts at gaming studios worldwide, including at Ubisoft, indicate an increasing industry demand for fair treatment, representation, and equality. Ubisoft, in particular, has come under fire for its workplace culture, with high-profile cases alleging sexual harassment and discrimination.
