The wait is finally over: The ten finalists in the Ubisoft Indie Series presented by National Bank were announced today. The annual competition provides local studios with financial assistance, mentorship, creative and marketing tools, and financial advice to help them reach new heights. For the past few years, Ubisoft’s Quebec studios have been committed to helping Quebec’s creative technology entrepreneurs grow into international players. We all benefit when our local video game industry, small and large studios alike, make it internationally!
And the finalists are…
Once again this year, the sheer quality of the entries made it a serious challenge for our jury—Quebec has a lot of indie talent! Congratulations to our finalists:
WoodRunner Games Inc. (Jeux coureur des bois Inc.)
Meet the jury of the Ubisoft Indie Series presented by National Bank
Once again be chaired by Julien Laferrière (Ubisoft Montreal), this year’s jury will consist of Marie Cauchon (Ubisoft Quebec City), Fatim Aissatou Diop (Ubisoft Canada), Jean-Christophe Gaudette (Ubisoft Saguenay), Marc-André Houde (Ubisoft Sherbrooke), and Éric Durand and Dominique Champagne (National Bank). You can learn more about each of them in the carousel below. Given the quality of this year’s entries, it will not be an easy task.
Laferrière is a senior producer at Ubisoft Montréal, where he has been working for almost 15 years. He oversees a variety of projects, creating powerful core teams with big plans. He was also the senior producer of Assassin’s Creed Vahalla, leading production on 16 studios around the world. He has worked on the franchise since Assassin’s Creed II, where he has held a variety of production management positions. Before his career in video games, Julien worked in the software and advertising industries. He has a background in computer science and interface design.
Why be on the jury?
For the exciting games, but also for the passionate teams and ambitious companies.
Cauchon has been working in the industry, and at Ubisoft Québec, for over 13 years. She started her career in the user research lab and spent some time working on social games before finally doing what she is really passionate about—marketing! She now develops and deploys marketing and communications strategies for some of Ubisoft’s biggest brands such as Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, Might and Magic, and Immortals Fenyx Rising.
She loves challenges, surrounding herself with people who are passionate about what they do, and making new discoveries every day.
Why be on the jury?
She enjoys watching passionate people who share a vision of creating the best games for target audiences all the while taking into account the ever-changing market.
From a young age, Diop has been fascinated by the world of video games and entertainment. She cut her teeth in marketing agencies, working for organizations such as Abbott, Danone, and Disney Studios. She joined the industry in 2018 as a social media advertising specialist at Ubisoft.
Now a brand manager, Diop oversees planning and strategies for advertising campaigns (TV, outdoor advertising, and digital) in Canada. She makes sure that Ubisoft products are being rolled out with marketing tailored to Canadian gamers.
Why be on the jury?
To experience firsthand the passion of indie game creators and see their marketing plans in action.
Gaudette is currently a production manager at Ubisoft Saguenay. He oversees the World Team’s various production departments. Before entering the video game industry, Gaudette ran a custom software company. Having developed specialized tools for clients such as Céline Dion, Pneus à Rabais, and the biggest distributor of soy in Canada, he has solid experience in management and strategy optimization. Why the career change? He likes to say that he retired from his job so that he can focus on what he really loves: production management and video games.
Why be on the jury?
As an entrepreneur at heart and a lover of video games, he couldn’t miss this opportunity to discover local creativity and talent!
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Houde has worn a variety of hats, including environmental artist, teacher, art director, and creative director. An avid video game enthusiast, he is currently the artistic director of animation at Ubisoft Sherbrooke. Having personally started his own independent studio in 2016 and having led his team to make one of the most popular skateboarding games in the genre, he understands the ambitions and challenges of small studios.
Why be on the jury?
Despite his role in Ubisoft’s big family, he will always be an indie at heart. He wants to share his experience on a variety of projects with his peers by giving them an honest and enriching opinion. He’s honoured to help showcase the best game ideas in Quebec.
Having worked at the Montreal Exchange, two public companies, and a publicly traded technology company, Durand has over 20 years of experience in corporate management and financing. When he first joined the National Bank in 2009, he worked on business acquisition financings for knowledge-based industries. In 2018, he transferred to the creative industries group. Durand holds an MBA from Laval University.
Why be on the jury?
He may love a solid financial and marketing plan; however, he is just as impressed by the different worlds created by the competing teams. Durand also has a high regard for entrepreneurs.
Champagne has over 20 years of experience in business financing and management. Immediately after graduating, she started working with video game start-ups where she was able to assist in their growth. She joined the National Bank’s Creative Industries Group in 2006. As a finance and accounting professional, she has handled a wide range of financing transactions in the video game, entertainment, and film/television production industries, both nationally and internationally. Champagne is a member of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec, CPA-CMA.
Why be on the jury?
To experience the energy and determination of local creators and to see what entrepreneurs who have a clear vision for their project can do.
Best of luck to all!
Best of luck to our lucky finalists as well as those in our sister competition in Toronto. May the best studios win!
To learn more about the competition, visit the Ubisoft Indie Series presented by National Bank page.
