Ubisoft Montpellier tells its story at the Creative Campus
News . 04 Feb. 2022
To inaugurate its series of exhibitions dedicated to the world of digital creation, the Campus Créatif welcomes the Ubisoft Montpellier studio. The famous studio, responsible for hits such as Rayman and Beyond Good and Evil, looks back on its 27-year history in Montpellier.
Rayman, Les Lapins Crétins, Beyond Good and Evil… For 27 years, Ubisoft Montpellier has left its mark on the history of video games with its productions, which have been acclaimed by the public and critics alike. A pioneer in the creative industries in Montpellier, the studio has continued to grow, and now employs more than 400 people in its ultramodern building in Castelnau-le-Lez.
Yet their creativity, know-how and talent had never been the subject of a retrospective exhibition. ESMA and ETPA have decided to correct this. From 5 February to 7 May, the two schools ESMA and ETPA invite Ubisoft Montpellier to tell its story at the Creative Campus.
THE EXHIBITION
The exhibition Ubisoft, Une Odyssée montpelliéraine, has been entrusted to the curator Jean Zeid, journalist and historian of the video game world. In collaboration with the studio’s teams, schools and Arscènes’ scenographers, he has designed a didactic and pedagogical journey, summarising the best of Ubisoft: creativity, technological innovation and love of nature.
The exhibition is built around two main axes. On the one hand, a Timeline, a 15-metre-long chronological frieze, highlights the major stages of the studio’s development. Numerous screens offer exclusive testimonies from the actors who have contributed to the studio’s reputation. To make the experience fun for the whole family, seven of the studio’s iconic games are the subject of original installations. From the very first Rayman to the upcoming Beyond Good and Evil 2, the studio’s history comes to life, and offers to discover the secrets of games such as King Kong, The Rabbids, From Dust and Unknown Soldiers.
The exhibition will feature 150 pieces of art, including 60 originals, such as artworks, early sketches of characters and settings for the games. But also giant statues of characters, game jackets. It will even be possible to rediscover the pleasure of these great titles, with a Games corner installed in the Tropisme Hall. Including ETPA games (video game school of the network).
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ESMA STUDENTS
The students of our Montpellier campus will be a few steps away from the exhibition on a daily basis. Nothing better to boost their creativity.
For the Creative Campus, this project is an opportunity to open up to the general public, with a first international event. This is only the beginning of a great cycle of exhibitions, which will continue for several years, with other big names in digital creativity. The surprises have only just begun!