Ubisoft prevents THQ from hiring more of its Montreal employees with court order

by Alexander Sliwinski on Mar 31st 2011 12:10PM

The Superior Court of Quebec has granted Ubisoft an injunction that prevents THQ from obtaining any more of Ubisoft's employees in ye olde city of Montreal. Game Informer (following up on a report by Rue Frontenac) received an official statement from Ubisoft, in which the publisher requested that the court place an injunction order on THQ based on the "non-solicit clause" included in Ubisoft Montreal employee contracts.

"This procedure aims to protect Ubisoft Montreal in a breach of contract situation," said the statement, "and to defend the long-term financial and creative health of the studio." Translation: Ubisoft hit the panic button following a talent drain that started when creative bigwig Patrice Desilets left Ubisoft to form his team at THQ Montreal, which included several other Ubisoft folks. In obtaining the injunction, Ubisoft even used a Joystiq article from January as evidence of a breach of contract. In that post, THQ exec Danny Bilson admits to hiring three Ubisoft employees (who were bound to a non-compete clause) on retainer.

Given that several major publishers are moving to Canada, THQ is just one of Ubisoft's home turf concerns. Ubisoft probably has the lawyers working overtime to legally add a "restraining order clause" to employee contracts, forcing them to stay 100 meters away from any competitors' employee.

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[PS3, X360, PC] Kojima Productions Hiring 'Next Gen Metal Gear Solid' Staff

[PS3, X360, PC] Kojima Productions Hiring 'Next Gen Metal Gear Solid' Staff
With Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker well and truly finished with, and Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Rising up next you might be wondering what exactly Kojima Productions will be doing beyond them.

They have posted a list of jobs up for offer under the vague headline of 'Next Generation of Metal Gear Solid Series Production Staff.' According to the listing, Kojima Productions are seeking planners, programmers and CG designers for a large variety of tasks. The programming jobs specificially cite applicants should have experience on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC, whilst the graphics listing is aimed at people who are interested in conducting research into next generation CG.

Maybe we will see another Metal Gear title unveiled before this year is out? Until then, Metal Gear Solid 3D is due this year and Metal Gear Solid: Rising is due out in 2012.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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