Marc-Alexis Côté, previously overseeing the Assassin’s Creed franchise at Ubisoft, has addressed an important detail regarding his abrupt exit from the company. Earlier reports from IGN and Wccftech revealed Côté’s departure after two decades with the studio, including 16 years dedicated to the iconic series, with the last three as its overall director.
Ubisoft attributed Côté’s exit to restructuring tied to its newly formed division, Vantage Studios—a collaboration with Tencent to manage major IPs like Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry. The company’s spokesperson told Wccftech via email that Côté “was provided several leadership opportunities within Vantage Studios but opted not to pursue them,” without elaborating on specifics.
Contradicting this narrative, Côté shared a LinkedIn post explaining, “Numerous colleagues expressed disbelief that I’d voluntarily depart Assassin’s Creed, given my enduring dedication. The reality: this wasn’t my decision.”
He continued, “Ubisoft relocated franchise leadership to align with its revised corporate framework. An alternate role was proposed, but it lacked the authority, vision, or connection to my prior responsibilities.”
“I bear no ill will. Ubisoft shaped my career, and I remain thankful for the teams, projects, and shared ambition to craft universes beloved by millions. However, clarity is owed to those I’ve worked alongside: I didn’t resign. I remained until directed otherwise,” Côté emphasized.
While Ubisoft’s statement remains factually valid—Côté declined a role in the new structure—his account reveals the company prioritized restructuring over retaining a seasoned leader deeply entrenched in the franchise’s history. His departure marks a substantial loss, as institutional knowledge and mentorship from long-time figures often prove vital for evolving legacy series like Assassin’s Creed.
Vantage Studios now faces the challenge of advancing the IP under co-leads Charlie Guillemot (son of Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot) and Christophe Derennes. How their leadership navigates this transition—without Côté’s expertise—will shape the franchise’s trajectory.
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