On Nov.

15, Montreal rm Ubisoft releases one of its biggest productions in the video game world, Assassins Creed Revelations. To celebrate the release we get a look at how a video game is produced.

Behind the scenes

STEP 2
Development

IN MINUTES

News and events visually

STEP 1

DESIGN

PRE-PRODUCTION

Number of players

5-30

1-5 months

30-50

5-18 months

Dening the elements of the game, the main rules, more artistic game design than technical. Overall description of the game world is conveyed with drawings or photos (overview of the tone, characters, narrative). First game prototypes are built to develop various technologies use of cameras, implementing abilities, actions of hero and enemies.

At this stage, several elements are modeled in 3D and integrated into the game engine (software that incorporates all the properties of the game). The game design is developed at all levels of play (integration of powers, actions, challenges, and environments). To judge the play aspects and scope of the project, the team produces a playable demo version of 10 to 15 minutes, with quality close to the nal product.

* Assassins Creed Brotherhood

STEP 3

PRODUCTION / QUALITY CONTROL

PLAY

STEP 4 ONLINE EXPERIENCE

5-30 3-12 months

up to 250

6-12 months

Putting the production schedule into effect to complete 12-20 hours of gameplay. Assassins Creed Revelations; several hundred people were involved in the production, spread over six studios (Ubisoft Quebec, Ubisoft Singapore, Ubisoft Annecy, Ubisoft Bucharest, Ubisoft Massive, and Ubisoft Montreal). All of the elements are integrated into the game engine and rigorously tested to avoid bugs and imperfections.

The game can now be experienced by thousands of players. The experience can be extended through the multiplayer modes available, competitions, social events, exclusive content to be downloaded and customized.

* Assassins Creed Brotherhood Sources: Ubisoft; Research and graphics

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; QMI AGENCY