'1666 Amsterdam' is back in 'Assassin's Creed' creator's hands

Ubisoft and Patrice Désilets, the creative director of Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed 2, have reached an agreement that gives Désilets ownership of a mysterious original IP, 1666 Amsterdam. Désilets and Ubisoft have a rocky, winding history: Désilets is recognized as the creator of the studio's most famous franchise, Assassin's Creed, but he left the company in 2010.

Désilets joined THQ Montreal in 2011 where he started work on an original franchise that turned out to be 1666 Amsterdam. However, THQ famously went under in 2012 and sold off its assets in January 2013. The Montreal studio -- complete with 1666, Désilets and all -- was picked up by Ubisoft for $2.5 million. Désilets was right back where he started, but he didn't stay long.

After firing Désilets, Ubisoft paused development on 1666 and in June 2013 Désilets sued the studio partially for the rights to the game. Today, Ubisoft gave Désilets the rights to 1666 Amsterdam and he withdrew his case.

"Putting aside our past differences, Patrice and I are above all interested in the creation of video games and the evolution of this medium of entertainment," Ubisoft Montreal and Toronto CEO Yannis Mallat said. "This agreement is good news for everyone."

Désilets said that, for now, he'll continue working on Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, a AAA action-survival experience he's developing with his own studio, Panache Digital Games.

"This is what matters most to me today: making the best games and showing the world the creative talent of Quebecers," Désilets said. "I also wish every success to the Ubisoft teams."