12 devs in 12 months: Charles Benoit

To celebrate our 15th anniversary, we wanted to introduce studio employees in an original way. People that are not usually under the spotlight, but that deserve to be known for their impact on the games we create. From that idea, we created the 12 Devs in 12 Months initiative. Until the end of 2020, you will get to meet 12 talented and friendly developers.

This month, we’re introducing you to Charles Benoit, Associate Game Director here, at Ubisoft Québec.

Enjoy!

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WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST MEMORY AT UBI? 

I remember my first E3 in Los Angeles. A gamer’s dream that I had the chance to live through my job as a Game Designer. I had lots of memorable moments here at Ubi Québec like meeting former colleagues, presenting my project to journalists and having real players try our games (not to mention many parties and good restaurants!).

WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO THE VIDEOGAME INDUSTRY? 

I grew up with Nintendo and video games were part of my life very early. I was also passionate about programming, drawing, computer graphics and film. So back then, the field of video game seemed to be a good compromise between my rational-technical side and my artistic-creative side.

WHAT IS THE PROJECT YOU LOVED WORKING ON MOST? 

My first AAA game, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Freedom Cry was a great experience. I had made many games before and working on a project that I wanted to play personally was really satisfying and rewarding.

15 YEARS, IT FLIES BY! WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN 2005? 

15 years ago, it was the beginning of my life as a “real” adult. My first apartment with my new girlfriend, my first job in the video game industry, the end of my studies and lots of energy to celebrate!

WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING? 

Facing new challenges. Whether it’s in my personal or professional life, the idea of ​​having to surpass myself and to learn every day motivates me a lot. That’s what’s so exciting to me. Every day I get to face new challenges and I love it.

UBISOFT QUÉBEC WOULDN’T BE UBISOFT QUÉBEC WITHOUT… 

Québec. The Studio was created in Quebec City and is influenced by the values ​​of Quebecers, what we hold dear and what attracts people to our studio. Our pride, our creativity, our desire for the assertion, our family values, hospitality, justice and equality make our Studio what it is today.

NAME A COLLEAGUE THAT INSPIRES YOU. WHY? 

A colleague? There are too many to name them all. Ok, it’s a bit easy to deflect as a question, but it’s true that the studio brings together a multitude of talents with their strengths and particularities.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? 

First of all, playing and having fun with what you imagined is really satisfying. Seeing an idea come to fruition and seeing the teamwork working in the same direction to achieve the best is a huge motivator. Then comes the reaction of the players. It’s amazing to think that over 10 million people have spent hours entertaining themselves with the game we created.

WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE VIBE AT UBISOFT QUÉBEC. DESCRIBE THIS VIBE IN 3 WORDS. 

Dynamic, Passionate, Family.

WHAT WAS YOUR SONG IN 2005? 

Not many people will know about it, but I was definitely listening to one of the best Norwegian Black Metal albums, Taord’s Hordalands doedskvad. It’s pretty difficult to name a particular song, though.

WHAT WAS YOUR GAME 2005? 

Resident Evil 4. I’ve always been a fan of the series and the 4th was unique. The mood, the change of gameplay to “third-person view” and the scoring enemies such as the famous zombie!

UBISOFT QUÉBEC IN 15 YEARS, WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE? 

If we follow the same growth as our first 15 years, we will most likely double the workforce. We will have several successful games, including probably a new brand (IP) brought by the studio, in a style of play where we’ll have developed expertise. We will be recognized worldwide as one of the best development studios. Yes, nothing less!