A hostage situation is in progress at Ubisoft Montreals offices, according to reports from social media and Canadian news outlets. Workers there are said to be hiding in conference rooms, and helicopter footage shows that some have gone to the buildings roof. Public safety vehicles are on the scene with officers involved.
Polygon has reached out to Ubisoft representatives for a statement. The City of Montreal Police Service confirmed on Twitter that there is a police operation in the area, and asked people to stay away. TVA Nouvelles reported on television that the police service has deployed tactical units, the equivalent of a SWAT team.
There is an ongoing police operation at the corner of Saint-Laurent and St-Viateur. We ask people to avoid the area. The #SPVM is currently validating information and more details will follow. pic.twitter.com/44PjWzsCOh
Police Montréal (@SPVM) November 13, 2020
Eric Pope, a well-known community manager with the studio who is working from home at the moment, said he recognized co-workers fleeing to the buildings roof in aerial footage shown on television.
Others on social media had eyewitness reports and details from the scene.
TVA Nouvelles noted that the office building in question also houses businesses other than Ubisoft Montreal, so its unclear if the crisis directly involves the studio.
Ubisoft Montreal, in existence since 1993 with more than 3,500 employees, is one of the French publishers most important studios. It is the lead developer on Assassins Creed Valhalla, the latest entry in the long-running franchise, which launched this week.
Developing …