Home Gaming Valiant Hearts “fake indie” director leaves Ubisoft over AAA frustration

Valiant Hearts “fake indie” director leaves Ubisoft over AAA frustration

3 min read
74

Fake indie

Valiant Hearts stands out for me. It was one of the few games last year that really touched me – by the end I was nearly in tears. It’s available for free with PS+ this month and everyone should grab it. But the guy who helped create it (and my beloved Beyond Good & Evil) will be leaving Ubisoft.

Yoan Fanis has decided to leave Ubisoft after 14 years. He worked on games including Beyond Good & Evil, Assassin’s Creed and Valiant Hearts, but he became increasingly frustrated with the impersonal development style that AAA titles require. According to Fanis, when he joined Ubisoft his greatest joy came from the diverse types of people he worked with. Beyond Good & Evil was a 30+ person team where production was distinctly creative and collaborative. Of course, as Ubisoft grew, this mood diminished – with teams of 100-500 people working on the same game, Fanis believed the human side started to dissipate.

I mean the industrial scale and organization of a giant project like Assassin’s Creed removes some direct connection between people from different job categories, for example. Your interactions are limited, and it is really difficult to have a global vision of the finished game. But at that scale, it would be very hard to make it different.
On Valiant Hearts we wanted to bring back the Beyond Good & Evil spirit, the collegial creative process; we were all involved with the script, the level design, the game design. Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft’s CEO, fell in love with the project and made it possible even if the subject was not “sexy” marketing-wise.
I mean, business-wise, even if the game is a success, with over a million players and many awards, this is still small revenue compared to blockbusters. That’s the harsh reality.

It makes sense to me. Most developers go into gaming because they have a dream of a project that they’d love to create. Big or small, it is their vision and dream, but that is usually stripped away after building other people’s dreams for years. It makes sense why AAA works the way that it does, but it certainly sounds like it could be soul destroying. I thought that the opportunity to make the smaller titles would be enough to keep those developers happy and help studios like Ubisoft retain the core talent, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. Fanis was asked what he’ll do next and it kind of makes me laugh:

There are a lot of really interesting opportunities, and I’m still taking time to find the one that is most exciting, Why not go real indie after have been called “fake indie” during my 2 years on Valiant Hearts?

I suppose it does hurt developers to be called fake indie, especially when we’re currently going through a surge of indie loving. He might as well go out and make his own games, or maybe join an indie studio and help them make some cool titles. Still, it makes me sad to see someone this talented and visionary leaving Ubisoft. I’m sure he will find something fun to make, but it means Ubisoft games might just lose some of that soul that they were finding.

Last Updated: March 13, 2015

74 Comments

  1. Blood Emperor Trevor

    March 13, 2015 at 08:33

    *frustrAAAtion – opportunity missed. I’ll go read now.

    Reply

  2. Blood Emperor Trevor

    March 13, 2015 at 08:36

    Btw, Valiant Hearts is on special on Steam right now for $3.iets. Busy installing & am looking forward to playing it.

    Reply

    • Umar

      March 13, 2015 at 08:37

      Free for PS+ members. FREE game compared to your $3??…Pah….Consoles gamers get FREE games all the time for FREE and FREE of CHARGE. Did I mention it’s FREE?

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        March 13, 2015 at 08:41

        You’re destroying the gaming industry with your free games instead of buying them on special like real gamers!

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          March 13, 2015 at 08:44

          YOU TELL ‘EM

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          March 13, 2015 at 08:45

          PC gamers: We “herd” there’s a steam sale
          http://img-9gag-ftw.9cache.com/photo/ae0bW6p_460sa.gif

          Reply

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 13, 2015 at 08:50

            No, Goat Sim isn’t on special :/

          • Hammersteyn

            March 13, 2015 at 08:59

            Lol

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 13, 2015 at 08:50

            No, Goat Sim isn’t on special :/

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 08:52

            “Damn it. They never have my shoe size.”
            “C’mon honey, let’s go somewhere else.”

          • Rock789

            March 13, 2015 at 08:57

            Dr Dolittle – is that you?!

      • Pariah

        March 13, 2015 at 09:11

        FREE if you pay your monthly/annual subscription. So, not free.

        Reply

    • Captain JJ the damned

      March 13, 2015 at 08:47

      You will not regret it. But get Child of Light too if you can.

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        March 13, 2015 at 08:48

        Already got it, started it a while back. It’s purdy.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the damned

          March 13, 2015 at 08:50

          Oh so purty.
          Prepare for the feels train in Valiant Hearts

          Reply

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 13, 2015 at 08:51

            I hate feels, make my allergies flare up.

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 08:52

            Then prepare for an allergic attack.

          • Rock789

            March 13, 2015 at 08:58

            An allergic attack of feels! Actually, that sounds like some kind of transmitted disease… Eeeeeeewwwwww… **shudder**

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 08:59

            Emotions are a disease of the heart! ;P

    • Rock789

      March 13, 2015 at 08:56

      You’re in for a treat! One of the best stories in a game, EVER! Full of feels… **sniff**

      Reply

      • Captain JJ the damned

        March 13, 2015 at 08:59

        Stop it. You’re making me tear up just thinking about it. 😉

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          March 13, 2015 at 09:03

          Don’t schmear your eye liner son

          Reply

    • Pariah

      March 13, 2015 at 09:07

      What? $3?

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        March 13, 2015 at 09:24

        $3.74 to be precise

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 13, 2015 at 09:32

          Yeah I’ve since been to the Steam page. Bloody Gaben.

          Reply

  3. Pariah

    March 13, 2015 at 08:43

    In far worse news, Sir Terry Pratchet has died. Today is a sad day. Fuck Ubi.

    Reply

  4. Admiral Chief

    March 13, 2015 at 08:45

    I just bought Child of Light a few minutes ago

    Reply

    • Pariah

      March 13, 2015 at 08:46

      So glad you finally saw the light.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        March 13, 2015 at 08:47

        I played, and loved the demo, but the discount was just too damn good to ignore

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 13, 2015 at 09:00

          There’s a discount? Why isn’t everyone buying it? It’s fantastic!

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 09:03

            65% off I believe

          • Pariah

            March 13, 2015 at 09:07

            Whaaaaaat? Where? The world needs to know. And go spend money on it.

            *Disclaimer: I’ve had it since just after release, it’s beautiful, breathtaking and worth it. 65% off is a steal.

  5. Kromas Votes LAG WCMovie Event

    March 13, 2015 at 08:46

    Can’t say I did not see this coming. Ubisoft will be bleeding decent devs and I think it is only a good thing.

    Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    March 13, 2015 at 08:46

    Their lose.

    Reply

    • Pariah

      March 13, 2015 at 08:46

      *loss

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        March 13, 2015 at 08:48

        Or *they

        Could go either way, but still, BAD BAD STEYN

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the damned

          March 13, 2015 at 08:48

          *There 😉

          Reply

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 13, 2015 at 08:49

            *thie’re

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 08:49

            CHEESE!

            CCCCCOMBO BREAKER

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 08:49

            CHEESE!

            CCCCCOMBO BREAKER

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 08:51

            I’m really trying to figure out a way how that could make sense.
            So I hear we’re going to desert Rince tomorrow and just everyone go somewhere else? ;P

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 13, 2015 at 08:52

            Yes, but don’t mention it in writing because it’s a surprise.

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 08:52

            lol

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 13, 2015 at 08:55

            Although, is it really a surprise party for Rince if no one arrives?

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 08:58

            You may be on to something there.

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 08:59

            Save me a seat, I’m in CT this weekend, flying out this afternoon at 13h00

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 09:00

            Lies!
            Lies?

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 13, 2015 at 09:01

            This raises an important question:

            Do we tell him where we’re all going to be, or do we tell him where Rince will be?

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 09:01

            XD

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 09:03

            The correct question will be how big of a welcome will be waiting for me at the airport

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 13, 2015 at 09:05

            The what? Oh, you mean the magical sky portal that allows a lucky few into the real world?

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 09:07

            Now you are thinking with portals

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 09:07

            Going to be staying near the V&A

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 09:08

            That’s close to where Rince will be 😀

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 09:24

            Thanks, will set my Rince-avoid-o-meter to maximum charge

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 09:25

            Seriously though, if you’re here you should try and join us.

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 09:28

            Where? Or is that a secret from you know who?

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 09:29

            River Club (sounds dodgier than it is)

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 09:36

            Should I come armed, or will the ostrich be enough?

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 09:44

            I think you’ll just feel out if you DON’T have an ostrich with you. It’s Rince’s friends after all 😉

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 09:48

            The ostrich is kinda, attached, so it goes without saying

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 09:49

            O_o

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 08:52

            XD

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 13, 2015 at 08:51

            I’m really trying to figure out a way how that could make sense.
            So I hear we’re going to desert Rince tomorrow and just everyone go somewhere else? ;P

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 08:49

            Ag there their they’re, it will be all right mos

        • Pariah

          March 13, 2015 at 08:52

          In that case it would likely need to be supplemented with an “out”. ie: “They lose out.”. While “They lose” does make sense, it is a little misleading, it implies there was a competition, yet there was none. They simply lost a very valuable staff member. I therefore propose that “Their loss.” is far more apt.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 08:53

            Agreed, however, we are referring to Mr UpvoteSteyn here, he does not normally make a lot of sense, so that needs to be taken into consideration

          • Pariah

            March 13, 2015 at 09:00

            That is a valid point. Perhaps you are right, in this case it may have gone either way. O_o

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 13, 2015 at 08:56

            tl;dr

          • Admiral Chief

            March 13, 2015 at 08:58

            dr

  7. Captain JJ the damned

    March 13, 2015 at 08:47

    Valiant hears is one of the games that made 2014 such a great year of gaming.

    Reply

  8. Captain JJ the damned

    March 13, 2015 at 08:47

    Valiant hears is one of the games that made 2014 such a great year of gaming.

    Reply

  9. Armant

    August 14, 2015 at 12:51

    The really sad part is not a single person in this community (or any gaming community for that matter) even knows or cares that these FAKE INDIE developers are hurting real indie developers. This is the Cancer that will kill the gaming industry people, Ex-Professional developers with money and connections calling themselves indie and burrying the real indies in the process, seriously these FAKE INDIES should be exposed for what they really are.

    Reply

    • Armant

      August 14, 2015 at 12:56

      They should create a new term for these FAKE Indies, something like Rogue Developers or simply just X-Pro devs or something, but they are NOT indie, most have them have publishers for f*ck sakes that literally negates the indie definition.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Have a Far Cry 5 Weekend on Ubisoft

I’m baaaaack…. Geez…bugs are sneaky but stupid. I still feel like warmed up Gouda, but any…