Assassin's Creed creator sues Ubisoft for $400,000 and 1666 rights

Original creative director of the Assassin's Creed series, Patrice Désilets, has sued Ubisoft for $400,000 and the rights to his in-progress title 1666: Amsterdam.

Désilets was fired from Ubisoft in May and according to La Presse, he claims it was concerning the failure to deliver an "acceptable prototype" of 1666: Amsterdam, something which he states he achieved.

The $400,000 he is suing the French publisher for is comprised of $250,000 for one year's salary, damages of $100,000, expenses of $35,000 and $25,000 severance pay. There is also a clause in Désilets' contract that gives him the option to acquire the rights to 1666: Amsterdam and several assets for the game which he is also fighting for.

May was the second time Désilets has parted ways with Ubisoft. Originally he left the publisher in 2010 and was taken on as a creative director at THQ Montreal. Following THQ's collapse, he then found himself back with Ubisoft earlier this year when THQ Montreal and its intellectual property were bought out by the publisher.

'The acquisition of THQ Montréal in January allowed Ubisoft to welcome 170 experienced developers to our existing and renowned workforce,' said Ubisoft in a statement to Polygon. 'Unfortunately, the discussions between Patrice Désilets and Ubisoft aimed at aligning Patrice's and the studio's visions were inconclusive. We received Patrice's legal request and will address it in court.'

THQ Montreal's 1666: Amsterdam is currently on hold indefinitely following Désilets' departure. The game was described by Désilets as a project which he was pouring his 15 years of industry experience into.

Désilets was the creative lead for Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed 2 and then left Ubisoft part way through the development of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.