Deep Thoughts from Ubisoft Singapore Visit

My second year in Singapore Polytechnic is coming to an end. Year 3 is around the corner and with it, my Final Year Project (FYP) and Internship. The game industry in Singapore has been growing in recent years and it feels exciting to be studying Game Development in DIT.

Like many of my peers, I dream of one day working with the many passionate game creators and getting involved in developing a popular title. So, when the opportunity came to visit Ubisoft, a well-known AAA developer with multiple studios worldwide, I could not pass it up.

The atmosphere at Ubisoft was nothing like a traditional office. I did not see a single tie or suit. Everyone was dressed in what seemed comfortable to them, all casual. However, I felt beneath that casual outer layer, burned the passionate spirit to craft the unforgettable experiences that are their video games. The folks from Ubisoft who were kind enough to interact with us made no effort to hide their enthusiasm for working in Ubisoft and playing a role in the Game Industry. They shared their individual experiences of why and how they entered Ubisoft.

I was elated to hear that Ubisoft was constantly looking out for talented individuals to join their ‘Creed’, but of course, just as apprehensive of the competition from the many more competent individuals out there within and beyond Singapore. The Q&A session gave us SP students the opportunity to ask questions that may allow us to make better decisions regarding our future careers and how we may position ourselves better to join the ranks of Ubisoft.

The folks at Ubisoft gave us great and clear tips and advice on all of this. It was also inspiring to hear from our seniors working in Ubisoft Singapore. It inspired me, as I’m sure it did my peers that we may one day be like them.

I managed to gain some insight too from a question of my own regarding their use of the 3Cs in gaming which are Character, Camera and Control. As shared by the folks at Ubisoft, this concept is in fact something universal to the entire game industry. A side note: The fact that I was asking that question meant that it as a concept has been rather “transparent” as they say. When a game executes these well, it becomes unseen and unnoticed. If it does not, the opposite takes effect. That is what makes it so important. So much so that Paul, who addressed my question, said he was actively working with the local schools to reinforce such an important concept.

A little time left before the end, there was free chatting amongst SP students, lecturers and the folks at Ubisoft. My friends and I managed to speak to our senior, Junjie. He shared more on how we could better position ourselves to join Ubisoft and held a short discussions on various hot topics in the industry like Virtual Reality and so on. Totally unrelated, but it was totally cool to find out he was playing a game I wanted too. We are all gamers at heart.

It's clichéd but let me end of with a quote from the late Mr Satoru Iwata.

“On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer”.

About Ubisoft Singapore
Started in 2008, Ubisoft Singapore has since grown to a 300-strong culturally diverse team, with fresh graduates to industry veterans. The studio was key in AAA titles releases, including Assassin’s Creed III, the ocean technology and pirate activities in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, and the online AAA free-to-play shooter, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Phantoms.

Students and graduates from Singapore Polytechnic alike have experienced work in Ubisoft Singapore as interns and full-time staff, from Quality Assurance to Level Designer. The visit to Ubisoft Singapore is part of series of Industry Learning Journeys where SP staff and students are exposed to industry to learn about hiring practices and industry trends.