The winds of change are swirling for Ubisoft.

After more than two decades in the video game industry as one of the largest publishers in the world, Ubisoft is entering a pivotal era in its history. The French games company has several franchise titles scheduled for release in the next 6-12 months with a new Prince of Persia reboot, a Far Cry sequel and two spin-offs for the Tom Clancy series. But that's just the beginning; Ubisoft is also making some interesting strategy shifts, including one that focuses on movie crossovers and tie-ins (the publisher recently acquired Hybride Technologies, a digital effects studio that worked on such films as "Sin City" and "300"). Ubisoft is also poised to make a major splash with its video game version of James Cameron's science fiction extravaganza "Avatar," which is scheduled for next year.

Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, is one of five brothers who founded the publisher in 1986. Tom's Games conducted a two-part exclusive interview with Guillemot prior to and during E3 2008 this summer to discuss a number of topics, from the new "Prince of Persia" movie to the secretive Avatar game. Guillemot also shared his opinions about digital distribution, PC game piracy and the new E3.

TOM'S GAMES: What was a major turning point during Ubisoft's history during the past five years or so?

YVES GUILLEMOT: In 2004, when EA took a 20 percent stake in the company and at the time, we were coming out with more and more brands, and our studios were really continuing to perform. From then on, we have been able to grow quite fast because we have had more and more brands. Then, there was the Xbox 360 phenomenon and then the Wii, and Ubisoft has continued its strategy of going very early [to benefit] from new trends and machines.

TG: Is the current lineup of games - Far Cry 2, Prince of Persia, two new Tom Clancy titles - one of the strongest you've ever had at Ubisoft?

GUILLEMOT: Yes, I would agree. I totally agree. We have a lot of product and we have more developers, and this will allow us to generate more revenue. And we're also able to address totally different fields like the sports business. We think with the Shaun White [Snowboarding] title we can enter that business now, not only on the 360 and PS3 but also on the Wii. So this will help the company develop quickly in that segment.

TG: You're releasing two brand new titles for the Tom Clancy franchise. Is that the plan going forward for Ubisoft, to release new spin-offs for the series and expand on the Tom Clancy universe?

GUILLEMOT: Yes, the goal is to create universes. The interactive entertainment industry is growing, and when a game is launched, it's a major event. So why not do it like the movie industry? Make sure there is not only one product launched but several more - a game, a movie, a book, a TV series. If you want to get into that universe, you can approach it different ways. You can learn more about characters different ways - who he is, where he lives, what's happening with him. And all of these different ways enhance the experience.

TG: The new Prince of Persia certainly looks a lot different than its recent predecessors with more of a cel-shaded, comic-book style of graphics. How did Ubisoft decide to go with such a bold, new design for this franchise?

GUILLEMOT: It was really the developers. It was very important to create a character that would be closer to the audience and create a game that is different now than it used to be 10 years ago. Because those guys changed; we have to have a new character and a new look that's closer to what the creative team today likes. And the audience, too. It's very important that the creative team remake a franchise and help it evolve so that it stays close to what the customers actually want. What do you think of it?

The reboot of Prince of Persia sports a bold new look.

TG: I think it looks great. I loved the Sands of Time, but you can't be doing the same thing over and over again, so I think it's a great idea to give the Prince a new look.

GUILLEMOT: And now he's got a new girlfriend, too (laughs).

TG: That's always good.

Elika, the Prince's new girlfriend, will play a big role in the new title.

Join our discussion on this topic