Today, Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announces that it has concluded an agreement with Gameloft to acquire its video game development studio based in Pune, India. Established end of 2006, the studio has a team of 120 developers and testers who will initially focus on porting titles to handheld consoles and reinforcing Ubisoft's testing teams. The goal is to become 200-people strong in 12 months time and to reach a team of 500 in the coming years.

Known as the "Oxford of the East", Pune's extensive university system (one of the largest in Asia) sees 80 000 engineers graduate each year. This satellite city of Mumbai (Bombay) is part of the 2nd generation of India's techno-poles, and is considered one of the most pleasant cities to live in the country.

"Following on the recent announcement of our new Singapore studio, this acquisition will reinforce Ubisoft's presence in Asia and the southeast region in particular. India has a promising future in the videogame industry and this is an opportunity for us to establish ourselves in the country," stated Christine Burgess-Quémard, executive director, worldwide studios at Ubisoft.

The operation is subject to normal closing conditions and is expected to close during the first quarter of the 2008-09 fiscal year.