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{{short description|British video game developer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ubisoft Reflections Limited
| logo = Ubisoft Reflections.svg
| logo_size = 150px
| logo_caption = Logo since 2017
| image = Northern Rock Tower - 1 October 2008.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = Partnership House in Newcastle upon Tyne
| former_name = {{Unbulleted list|Reflections (1984–1998)|Reflections Interactive Limited (1998–2006)}}
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1984}}
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Martin Edmondson|Nicholas Chamberlain}}
| hq_location = [[Partnership House]]
| hq_location_city = [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]
| hq_location_country = England
| key_people = Lisa Opie ([[managing director]])
| products = {{Unbulleted list|[[Shadow of the Beast (1989 video game)|''Shadow of the Beast'' series]]|[[Destruction Derby (series)|''Destruction Derby'' series]]|[[Driver (series)|''Driver'' series]]|[[Just Dance (video game)|''Just Dance'' series]]|[[Tom Clancy's|Tom Clancy series]]}}
| num_employees = 240+<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ubistatic-a.akamaihd.net/0090/PROD/ubigroup/PressKit/20180611/Studio_profiles_2018_After_E3_EN_PRINT.pdf |title=Studio profile |publisher=ubistatic-a.akamaihd.net |date=2018 |access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref>
| num_employees_year = 2018
| parent = {{Unbulleted list|[[Atari, Inc. (1993–present)|Atari, Inc.]] (1998–2006)|[[Ubisoft]] (2006–present)}}
| website = {{URL|https://reflections.ubisoft.com/}}
}}
'''Ubisoft Reflections Limited''' (formerly '''Reflections''' and later '''Reflections Interactive Limited''') is a British [[video game developer]] and a studio of [[Ubisoft]] based in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]. Founded in 1984 by Martin Edmondson and Nicholas Chamberlain, the studio focuses on racing games and it is best known for creating the award-winning ''[[Driver (series)|Driver]]'' series. Reflections was acquired by [[GT Interactive]] in 1998 – which later turned into Atari Inc. – and sold to Ubisoft in 2006. The company worked in close cooperation with sister studio [[Ubisoft Leamington]], until its closure in 2025.
== History ==
Martin Edmondson and Nicholas Chamberlain started developing games for the [[BBC Micro]] under the moniker "Reflections" in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |last=Packwood |first=Lewis |date=February 2, 2018 |title=Which Games are Made in the UK? |url=https://www.kotaku.co.uk/2018/02/02/which-games-are-made-in-the-uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205103036/https://www.kotaku.co.uk/2018/02/02/which-games-are-made-in-the-uk |archive-date=February 5, 2018 |website=Kotaku UK}}</ref> Their first game was a ''[[Paperboy (video game)|Paperboy]]'' clone called ''Paper-Round'' that took two years to develop but was never released.<ref name="profile">{{Cite web |date=October 1987 |title=Martin Edmondson Nicholas Chamberlain Profile |url=http://www.stairwaytohell.com/authors/edmondsonchamberlain/PRO-EdmondsonChamberlain.html |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=A & B Computing |publisher=Argus Press |via=www.stairwaytohell.com}}</ref> While working on that game, they started ''[[Ravenskull (video game)|Ravenskull]]'' which would be their first published game, released in 1986 by [[Superior Software]]. This was followed by ''Codename: Droid'' and an [[Acorn Electron]] conversion of ''[[Stryker's Run]]'' in 1987.<ref name="profile"/>
The name Reflections was first used for their 1989 hit [[Amiga]] game, ''[[Shadow of the Beast (1989 video game)|Shadow of the Beast]]'', published by [[Psygnosis]] which spawned two sequels. The original Amiga game was partially written by Paul Howarth,<ref>{{cite web |last=Kenreck |first=Todd |date=January 26, 2016 |title=Why 'Shadow of The Beast' Is A Massive Cult Hit |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddkenreck/2016/01/26/why-shadow-of-the-beast-is-a-massive-cult-hit/ |website=Forbes}}</ref> and started out life as a parallax test of the blitter of the [[MOS Technology Agnus|Amiga's Agnus chip]]; Paul later went on to work for [[DR Studios|Deep Red Games]], a UK video game company based in Milton Keynes. A number of other Amiga and [[Atari ST]] games followed including ''[[Ballistix]]'' (1989), ''[[Awesome (video game)|Awesome]]'' (1990) and ''Brian the Lion'' (1994). In 1995, they became known for ''[[Destruction Derby]]'', which was critically acclaimed for its realistic physics and destruction, which later become Reflections' specialty. Due to the success, the game had four more sequels over the years.
On 9 January 1999, it was announced that Reflections had been acquired by [[GT Interactive]] in 1998, for a reported 2.7 million shares of [[common stock]], which was valued at around {{US$|14.17 million|link=yes}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Murawska |first=Renata |date=January 19, 1999 |title=GT Interactive adds another software developer to its stable |url=https://www.arnnet.com.au/article/110465/gt_interactive_adds_another_software_developer_its_stable/ |website=ARN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Feldman |first=Curt |date=April 28, 2000 |title=GT Buys UK Dev House |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gt-buys-uk-dev-house/1100-2465913/ |website=GameSpot}}</ref> Reflections became well known for the game ''[[Driver (video game)|Driver]]'', which was inspired by '70s cop shows like ''[[Starsky and Hutch]]'' and movies like ''[[Bullitt]]'' and ''[[The Driver]]''. It has been followed by four sequels and four spin-offs. The company was subsequently renamed Reflections Interactive.
In 2004, studio founder Martin Edmondson left Reflections after the concepting stage of ''[[Driver: Parallel Lines]]'', and sued [[Atari, Inc. (1993–present)|Atari]] due to "constructive unfair dismissal as a result of Reflections alleged repudiatory breach of a contract of employment that necessitated Mr. Edmondson's resignation."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/atari-reaches-settlement-with-ex-reflections-boss|title=Atari reaches settlement with ex-Reflections boss|last=Gibson|first=Ellie|date=27 February 2006|publisher=GamesIndustry|access-date=7 April 2009}}</ref> Martin's brother, Gareth Edmondson, took his place as the studio manager. In July 2006, Atari announced that it had transferred all of the staff and most of the assets of Reflections Interactive Limited, including the intellectual property and technology rights to the ''Driver'' series, to [[Ubisoft]] for {{US$|24 million}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/101026/Atari_Sells_Driver_Reflections_To_Ubisoft.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829051222/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/101026/Atari_Sells_Driver_Reflections_To_Ubisoft.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 August 2016|title=Atari Sells Driver, Reflections To Ubisoft|last=Carless|first=Simon|date=13 July 2006|publisher=Gamasutra|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref>
Studio manager Gareth Edmondson, left Reflections after more than a ten-year presence at the studio in November 2011, two months after the launch of ''[[Driver: San Francisco]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike |date=November 14, 2011 |title=Gareth Edmondson Leaves Ubisoft Reflections After 10 Years |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/gareth-edmondson-leaves-ubisoft-reflections-after-10-years |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}</ref> It was announced in February 2013, that Pauline Jacquey had been hired as new managing director.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cocke |first=Taylor |date=2013-02-28 |title=Watch Dogs Dev Hires New Managing Director |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/28/watch-dogs-dev-hires-new-managing-director |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2013, Ubisoft Reflections announced that it was working on a new game, and that Ubisoft planned to announce the game at [[E3]] 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/ubisoft-reflections-working-on-unannounced-game-reveal-at-e3/|title=Ubisoft Reflections Working on a Unannounced Game, Reveal at E3|access-date=22 May 2013|publisher=Joystiq}}</ref> On 10 June 2013, during Ubisoft's press conference, it was revealed that Reflections was working with developer Ivory Tower on the racing game ''[[The Crew (video game)|The Crew]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/e3-2013-ubisoft-reveals-the-crew-a-new-racer-from-ivory-tower-and-reflections/|title=Ubisoft Reveals the Crew a New Racer From Ivory Tower and Reflections at E3|access-date=11 June 2013|publisher=Edge Online}}</ref>
Reflections then started to take on more support work for other developers' games. In February 2014, it was announced that the studio would assist [[Massive Entertainment|Ubisoft Massive]] in the development of ''[[Tom Clancy's The Division]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=February 7, 2014 |title=PS4, Xbox One game The Division not in trouble, dev insists |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-xbox-one-game-the-division-not-in-trouble-dev-insists/1100-6417600/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Watch Dogs'', released in May 2014, from Ubisoft's Montreal and Toronto studios, began life as a new entry in the Driver series before becoming an original IP. Reflections provided development support, handling the game's driving missions, among other elements. The studio returned for the 2016 sequel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peel |first=Jeremy |date=2021-05-24 |title=Inside the Driver game that died so that Watch Dogs could live |url=https://www.vg247.com/watch-dogs-driver-connection-cancelled-game |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=VG247 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2015, Reflections released ''[[Grow Home]]'', a procedurally animated climbing game originally developed as a side project by members of the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Puga |first=Lauren |date=2015-01-23 |title=Ubisoft Announces Procedurally Animated Climbing Game Grow Home |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/23/ubisoft-announces-procedurally-animated-climbing-game-grow-home |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> A sequel, ''[[Grow Up (video game)|Grow Up]]'', was released in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donlan |first=Christian |date=2016-06-13 |title=Grow Home's sequel Grow Up lands in August |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/grow-homes-sequel-grow-up-lands-in-august |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2017, with the acquisition of [[Ubisoft Leamington|FreeStyle Games]], Richard Blenkinsop was named managing director of Reflections and the newly-renamed Ubisoft Leamington.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2017-01-18 |title=Ubisoft acquires FreeStyle Games |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2017/01/ubisoft-acquires-freestyle-games |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2018, it was announced that Reflections, and six other studios, would work on ''[[Tom Clancy's The Division 2|The Division 2]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palumbo |first=Alessio |date=2018-03-09 |title=Ubisoft Massive Explains Why They Went With The Division 2 Instead of Updating The Current Game |url=https://wccftech.com/ubisoft-massive-explains-the-division-2/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Wccftech |language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2020, following the studio's transition to a support team, Reflections reported a 10% in revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Coreena |date=2020-02-03 |title=Newcastle games developer Ubisoft Reflections boosts revenues with collaborations |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/newcastle-games-developer-ubisoft-reflections-17681445 |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Business Live |language=en}}</ref> In July, the studio expanded to a third floor at it's headquarters in [[Partnership House]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Coreena |date=2020-07-28 |title=Computer games firm Ubisoft Reflections expands in former Northern Rock HQ |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/computer-games-firm-ubisoft-reflections-18676541.amp |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Chronicle Live |language=en}}</ref> That September, Ubisoft announced that Red Storm and Reflections would be working on Oculus VR games based on its Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell franchises.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Statt |first=Nick |date=2020-09-16 |title=VR Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell games are coming |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/16/21437979/oculus-assassins-creed-splinter-cell-vr-game-announcement |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlock |first=Joe |title=Ubisoft Announces New ‘Assassin’s Creed’ And ‘Splinter Cell’ Games Exclusively For Oculus VR Devices |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joeparlock/2020/09/16/ubisoft-announces-new-assassins-creed-and-splinter-cell-games-exclusively-for-oculus-vr-devices/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> However, the Splinter Cell VR game was later cancelled in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Harry |date=2022-07-21 |title=Ubisoft Cancels Development Of Splinter Cell VR |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/ubisoft-cancels-splinter-cell-vr/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=UploadVR |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Assassin's Creed Nexus VR]]'' was released in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamen |first=Matt |title='Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR' Makes the Case for Immersive Gaming—Finally |url=https://www.wired.com/story/assassins-creed-nexus-vr-virtual-reality-review/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |work=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>
Blenkinsop retired in 2021 and was replaced by Lisa Opie as managing director of both studios that May.<ref>{{cite web |last=Partis |first=Danielle |date=May 18, 2021 |title=Lisa Opie appointed managing director at Ubisoft Reflections and Leamington Studios |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-05-18-lisa-opie-appointed-managing-director-at-ubisoft-reflections-and-leamington-studios |website=Gamesindustry.biz}}</ref>
In January 2025, Ubisoft Reflections was downsized. At the same time, the Leamington office, which Reflections frequently collaborated with, was closed. When combined with layoffs in Düsseldorf and Stockholm, 185 employees were affected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2025-01-27 |title=Ubisoft announces studio closure as it lays off 185 staff |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-announces-studio-closure-as-it-lays-off-185-staff |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref>
== Games developed ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Platform(s)
! Publisher(s)
|-
| {{Dts|1986}}
| ''[[Ravenskull (video game)|Ravenskull]]''
| [[Acorn Electron]], [[BBC Micro]]
| rowspan="3"|[[Superior Software]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| {{Dts|1987}}
| ''Codename: Droid''
| Acorn Electron, BBC Micro
|-
| ''[[Stryker's Run]]''
| Acorn Electron
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{Dts|1989}}
| ''[[Ballistix]]''
| [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]]
| rowspan="9" | [[Psygnosis]]
|-
| ''[[Shadow of the Beast (1989 video game)|Shadow of the Beast]]''
| Amiga
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{Dts|1990}}
| ''[[Shadow of the Beast II]]''
| Amiga, Atari ST
|-
| ''[[Awesome (video game)|Awesome]]''
| Amiga, Atari ST
|-
| {{Dts|1992}}
| ''[[Shadow of the Beast III]]''
| Amiga
|-
| {{Dts|1994}}
| ''[[Brian the Lion]]''
| Amiga
|-
| {{Dts|1995}}
| ''[[Destruction Derby]]''
| [[MS-DOS]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn]]
|-
| {{Dts|1996}}
| ''[[Destruction Derby 2]]''
| MS-DOS, PlayStation, [[Microsoft Windows]]
|-
| {{Dts|1998}}
| ''[[Thunder Truck Rally]]''
| MS-DOS, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
|-
| {{Dts|1999}}
| ''[[Driver (video game)|Driver]]''
| [[macOS]], PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
| [[GT Interactive]]
|-
| {{Dts|2000}}
| ''[[Driver 2]]''
| PlayStation
| rowspan="2" | [[Infogrames]]
|-
| {{Dts|2002}}
| ''[[Stuntman (video game)|Stuntman]]''
| [[PlayStation 2]]
|-
| {{Dts|2004}}
| ''[[Driv3r]]''
| PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Atari, Inc. (1993–present)|Atari]]
|-
| {{Dts|2006}}
| rowspan="2"| ''[[Driver: Parallel Lines]]''
| PlayStation 2, Xbox
|-
| rowspan="2"|{{Dts|2007}}
| [[Wii]], Microsoft Windows
| rowspan="16" | [[Ubisoft]]
|-
| ''[[Driver 76]]''
| [[PlayStation Portable]]
|-
| {{Dts|2008}}
| ''[[Emergency Heroes]]''
| Wii
|-
| {{Dts|2009}}
| ''Monster 4x4: Stunt Racer''
| Wii
|-
| rowspan="2"| {{Dts|2011}}
| ''[[Driver: San Francisco]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/watch-dogs-reportedly-started-as-driver-reboot-before-ubisoft-intervened-2947582 | title='Watch Dogs' reportedly started as 'Driver' reboot before Ubisoft intervened | website=[[NME]] | date=24 May 2021 }}</ref>
| macOS, [[PlayStation 3]], Wii, Microsoft Windows, [[Xbox 360]]
|-
| ''[[Just Dance 3]]''
| PlayStation 3
|-
| {{Dts|2012}}
| ''[[Just Dance 4]]''
| PlayStation 3, Wii, [[Wii U]], Xbox 360
|-
| {{Dts|2013}}
| ''[[Just Dance 2014]]''
| PlayStation 3, [[PlayStation 4]], Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, [[Xbox One]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{Dts|2014}}
| ''[[Just Dance 2015]]''
| PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
|-
| ''[[The Crew (video game)|The Crew]]''
| PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox 360
|-
| {{Dts|2015}}
| ''[[Grow Home]]''<ref name=":0">{{cite web | url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/time-for-reflections-a-chat-with-ubisofts-lisa-opie/ | title=Time for Reflections: A chat with Ubisoft's Lisa Opie | website=MCV | date=28 June 2022 | last1=Shoemaker | first1=Richie }}</ref>
| Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{Dts|2016}}
| ''[[Grow Up (video game)|Grow Up]]''
| Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
|-
| rowspan="2"|''[[Just Dance 2017]]''
| PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii, Wii U, Microsoft Windows
|-
| rowspan="3" |2017
| [[Nintendo Switch]]
|-
|''[[Atomega]]''<ref name=":0" />
|Microsoft Windows
|-
| ''[[Ode (video game)|Ode]]''
| Microsoft Windows
|}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://reflections.ubisoft.com/}}
{{Ubisoft}}
{{Ubisoft Reflections}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1984 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Companies based in Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1984]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1984]]
[[Category:Driver (video game series)]]
[[Category:Ubisoft divisions and subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Video game companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:2006 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:British subsidiaries of foreign companies]]
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