The Assassin’s Creed Shadows adventure through the eyes of Ubisoft Quebec City managing director Nathalie Bouchard

You never forget your first game launch. For many, including Nathalie Bouchard, managing director of Ubisoft Quebec City, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will always hold a special place in her heart. 

Nathalie—who took the helm at the Quebec City studio right at the beginning of the game’s production—sat down with us to share her journey over the past four years, from the inception of the latest Assassin’s Creed installment to its release. 

 

After years of hard work, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally in the hands of fans. How does it feel to cross the finish line of such a major project? 

Nathalie Bouchard: It’s really special because when you work on a long-term project like this, you can lose sight of the finish line. You take things one day at a time. But as you get closer to the end, it becomes more and more tangible, and the pride and excitement build, because you can finally see just how much you’ve accomplished together. Marc-Alexis [Côté, VP and executive producer of the Assassin’s Creed franchise] likes to use an analogy of climbing a mountain: it’s only when you reach the top that you realize how far you’ve climbed. It can really make your head spin! 

This was the first production cycle you experienced almost from start to finish since you took over at the Quebec City studio. When you started, is this what you expected? 

NB: No! [Laughs] Being there at the beginning of Assassin’s Creed Shadows allowed me to follow the process from start to finish. Now I know that making a video game is really complicated. How many people it takes to deliver something this big—this is just one example of all the things I learned. So, did I expect this? Definitely not! But I didn’t go into it with expectations either. It was more about beautiful discoveries and, above all, a lot of learning! And it’s not over yet. 

What surprised you most during the creation and development of Shadows? 

NB: I already had experience in creation and production processes. That wasn’t new to me. What really surprised me was the role of technology in video game development and the multitude of professions involved in the process. 

What are your best memories from working on Shadows the past four years? 

NB: I started working at Ubi during the pandemic, so I think returning to the studio after months of confinement was one of my first highlights with the team. It was incredible to finally get to work together in person! Otherwise, every milestone in the development of Assassin’s Creed Shadows was memorable. I loved seeing how proud people were to present their work at each stage of the project. Then, in the weeks before the launch, I was pumped to see all the Shadows displays inside and outside the studio. They were tangible, and it made me feel proud. Thinking back sends shivers down my spine! 

You worked closely with the core team of Assassin’s Creed Shadows over the past few months. What do you think made this core group strong? 

NB: The fact that they had experience working together made all the difference. They had worked on Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, and Immortals Fenyx Rising, which made them grow closer. So, it was certainly evident in the dynamics and team spirit. It’s a bit cliché, but it’s true! They appreciate each other. And despite all the stress, I think we managed to stick together as a team because we took care of each other. We figured out the best way to communicate and move forward together. 

Would you say that the adventure of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and everything you’ve experienced over the past four years at Ubisoft Quebec City has changed you as a managing director? As a person? 

NB: Honestly, I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity at this point in my career to experience something new. People often stay in the same field their whole lives, and yet, these are the kinds of experiences that help us grow as human beings. When I moved from Montreal to work at the Quebec City studio, I knew that it meant returning to my hometown, entering a new industry, joining a new company, and taking on a new job. There were a lot of new things happening at the same time, and it definitely pushed me into all sorts of new areas. But whenever I was unsure or had doubts, I knew I could rely on a strong team and a strong studio. That’s really what has driven me over the past few years. I’ve learned so much from this group. They’ve given me a lot, and I feel truly privileged because of it. 

 

As the chapter of Assassin’s Creed Shadows quietly closes for Ubisoft Quebec City, are there any other thoughts you’d like to share? 

NB: Now that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has launched, I think it’s really important for us to take the time to pause and reflect. We need to take everything we’ve learned from the last production cycle and clearly identify, as a studio, how we can improve the way we make games. By continuing to challenge ourselves collectively, we can grow together, build our next game on solid foundations (and lessons), and offer exceptional gaming experiences to our players. With that said, we’re already excited to embark on our next adventure together. With all the success Assassin’s Creed Shadows has had since its launch, we can’t help but be excited about what the future holds for our studio.