Nathalie Bouchard, Ubisoft Quebec City’s MD, talks about her Ubisoft Forward experience

What a whirlwind for our fans, and a moment of pride for our team! The recent Ubisoft Forward event was a kaleidoscope of excitement. 

A few weeks after the event, where we unveiled the Assassin’s Creed Shadows gameplay to the entire world, the managing director of Ubisoft Quebec City Nathalie Bouchard, shares her experience from the event held in Los Angeles. 

Having attended the event with close to a dozen people from the studio, she recounts the unique moments she shared with the team, the atmosphere on-site, and what this participation in Ubisoft Forward meant for Ubisoft Quebec City. 

The unveiling of Assassin’s Creed Shadows gameplay was a pivotal moment for Ubisoft Quebec City, as we lead the game’s development. It was also your first time attending the event in person. How did you feel as the big day approached? 

Nathalie Bouchard: I was genuinely excited! It felt like such a fantastic opportunity for the teams –in Quebec City, but also in our partner studios around the world – to finally showcase what they’ve been working on for years. This was a significant milestone—the moment to reveal to players worldwide: ‘This is Assassin’s Creed Shadows!’  And with the positive reception, it gave us an extra boost to keep pushing and deliver a gaming experience that truly lives up to expectations.

From a personal standpoint, as Ubisoft Quebec City’s managing director, it was equally important to me to be there. I wanted to stand by the team during this monumental occasion. 

Now, tell us about the team’s vibe just minutes before the presentation. What was it like? 

NB: As we entered the theatre, the excitement was palpable. At least, I felt it! We all walked in together, sporting our game shirts. You could tell the Shadows crew was in the house! 

And when Charles [Benoit, game director] took the stage, you could sense that everyone was rallying behind him. He’d nailed the rehearsals, and his presence was commanding. We had no doubts about what would follow. But when Charles finished his presentation, the pressure lifted. It was a mix of pride, positivity, and sheer excitement. We kept saying how privileged we felt to be part of it all. 

We were also thinking a lot about the studio. Karl [Onnée, producer of Assassin’s Creed Shadows] did a live video with our teams there, and I sent photos. We wanted our team to feel that energy, to see how things were going. We also received photos from the studio—people were gathered in the atrium just before the event kicked off. Even though we were miles apart, we felt connected!

Because at Ubisoft, our most valuable asset is our people. Working with passionate, committed individuals every day is a privilege. So having a showcase like Ubisoft Forward, where our teams can present their hard work, is truly remarkable. 

It’s a big show for our players because it allows them to connect with everything we’re doing and what’s coming up. But it’s also a unique opportunity that we give to our teams, during which we can recognize and appreciate the work they do. 

For our studio, being front and centre in this edition of Ubisoft Forward with Assassin’s Creed Shadows was no small feat. What do you think about this exposure for our teams and the impact it can have? 

NB: It’s not just about us; it’s about our city too. Quebec City thrives in a techno-creative ecosystem that’s buzzing with activity. To showcase it internationally is an honour. Many people from Quebec City have contributed to our success and everything we’re achieving today. Over the past two decades, we’ve built something special right here in Quebec City, and that fills us with immense pride.

It’s also a way to show those who’ve supported us over the years, who’ve stood by our industry’s development, that they made the right choices.” 

What is the moment from your Ubisoft Forward experience that most stood out for you? 

NB: There were several—it’s tough to pick just one! But when Charles stepped onto the stage, it was memorable. With everyone there, the energy surrounding us… it was a true moment of pride! Absolutely incredible.

And then, watching our colleagues do live demonstrations—playing directly in front of the event attendees—was fascinating. Before joining Ubisoft, I worked in the entertainment industry. It was live, no matter what happened, you had to adapt. As they say, ‘The show must go on!’ Well, those demos reminded me of that. There were moments when I held my breath; your colleagues are playing, and you don’t want them to end up in a tricky situation! Anything could happen during their gameplay… but they were truly impressive. There was a round of applause after each game segment, and people were on the edge of their seats. It definitely took a lot of courage! 

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released on February 14, 2025 on Ubisoft+, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna, Mac with Apple silicon via the App Store, and PC via Ubisoft Store and Epic Games Store.