Michele Brooks
Ubisoft Appoints Elizabeth Loverso as Managing ...
Ubisoft Appoints Elizabeth Loverso as Managing Director of Red Storm Entertainment
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Ronald McDonald House
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Meet Neerja Shah - User Experience (UX) Designer

 

Neerja Shah is a User Experience (UX) Designer at Red Storm Entertainment. She is currently contributing to the development of the game XDefiant. Neerja’s role involves designing user-friendly, accessible, and enjoyable interaction points for players, which are crucial for storytelling and gameplay. Get to know a little about Neerja Shah:

What are 3 fun facts about yourself?

  • I have an identical twin sister

  • I enjoy art, dance, and music

  • I enjoy traveling and have been to 9 countries so far!

How long have you worked at Red Storm?

3 years.

What do you like most about working at Red Storm?

The workplace culture and my coworkers. :)

What project/game are you working on?

XDefiant.

Describe what you do in your role?

I work on designing user friendly, accessible, and enjoyable interaction points for players! A big part of the storytelling and gameplay in a video game happens with the user interface! Our goal as UX/UI designers is to empathize with our player through the creation of personas, user stories, userflows, wireframes/mockups, and user testing. We want the game's UI to guide the player to make the right decisions and aid in gameplay.

What is the best part of your job?

Getting to be creative, and work with incredibly talented people.

What part of your current game and role have you loved working on?

(regarding current and past games) I really enjoy working on customization features! Customization features offer players a fun/enjoyable way to engage with their characters/equipment, interact with other players, and allows for freedom of expression.

What part of your current game and role has been the most challenging?

I’m currently working on a live game, so we get a ton of feedback - which is every UX designer’s dream! But it can also be challenging to predict or interpret quickly changing online opinions.

What is it like working with different Ubisoft teams?

I enjoy working with different Ubisoft teams across the world! Although working across different time zones comes with challenges - the global perspective it offers is invaluable!

What motivated you to get into the gaming industry?

I like that games challenge me as a UX designer, which is what initially motivated me and continues to motivate me to work in gaming.

What do you like most about working in gaming?

I enjoy story telling and cultivating a complicated and intricate user experience.

What are you top tips for those looking to get into gaming and/or your specific role?

UX Design in video games is a whole new world in comparison to web/app development. There is a new factor that is introduced: gameplay difficulty. While website/app users want an easy and seamless experience, that is not always the case in games! Sometimes we need to breadcrumb hints, add mystery, and add difficulty to challenge our players. If you are interested in learning more about video games UX/UI, understanding the balance of difficulty and learnability in games is a great place to start!

Assassin's Creed Nexus VR wins Unity's 16 Annual Award for Best AR/VR Game

We are thrilled to share our team at Red Storm Entertainment, alongside our talented colleagues at Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Ubisoft Reflections, and Ubisoft Pune, won the Best AR/VR Game award at Unity’s 16th Annual Awards for our work on Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR!

This achievement is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication of everyone involved. From the initial concept to the final product, Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR has been a labor of love. Our goal was to create an immersive experience that would captivate players and push the boundaries of what is possible in virtual reality gaming.

Working with Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Ubisoft Reflections, and Ubisoft Pune has been an enriching experience. Each studio brought unique strengths and perspectives to the project, making our collaboration truly special. The synergy between our teams allowed us to innovate and overcome challenges, ultimately delivering a game that we are all incredibly proud of.

Winning this award is not just a recognition of our efforts but also a celebration of the power of collaboration. It highlights the importance of teamwork and the incredible results that can be achieved when creative minds come together with a shared vision.

Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR is more than just a game; it’s an experience that transports players into the rich, historical world of Assassin’s Creed in a way that has never been done before. The positive feedback from players and critics alike has been overwhelming, and this award is the cherry on top.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Here’s to many more achievements and unforgettable gaming experiences!

Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR: A Hit Among Critics and Fans!

We are thrilled to announce that Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR has received positive reviews from critics and gamers alike.

Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR has received positive reviews from several outlets, such as IGN, UploadVR, and Shacknews, who highlighted the game’s impressive scope, accessibility, and presentation. IGN gave the game a 7 out of 10, calling it “the most immersive Assassin’s Creed game ever” and “an impressively complete Ubisoft game”. UploadVR rated the game 4 out of 5, saying that it “demonstrates what a full-fledged VR entry can do for a big series” and that the game “feels well adapted from the main series”. COGconnected awarded the game a 90 out of 100, stating that it is “a virtual system seller” and “an encouraging start to the headset’s lineup of games”.

Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR has also been well-received by fans, who have shared their positive experiences on social media and YouTube. Many players have expressed their enjoyment of the game’s parkour, exploration, and historical accuracy, as well as the thrill of seeing through the eyes of their favorite assassins. Some of the most popular videos on YouTube include IGN’s video review, Beardo Benjo’s gameplay commentary, and Nathie’s first impressions.

Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR is now available for the Meta Quest 2/3/Pro for $39.99.

Red Storm Promotes Tony Sturtzel to Director of Product Development

Tony Sturtzel, Director of Product Development for Red Storm Entertainment.

Today, Ubisoft is delighted to announce Tony Sturtzel (he/him/his) as Director of Product Development for Red Storm Entertainment.

Tony has been with Red Storm since 2008 working on major titles like Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Rocksmith 2014, Tom Clancy’s The Division, The Division 2 and The Division Heartland. His longstanding leadership at the studio and development expertise as a producer and senior producer has given him the foundation to continue to build upon the studio’s vision and oversee production processes. In his new role, he will empower production teams to reach development goals, partner with senior leadership to carry out the studio and Ubisoft’s vision and strategies and enhance collaboration across Ubisoft co-development studios and projects.

Tony will work directly with Red Storm’s Managing Director, Elizabeth Loverso along with Ubisoft HQ and the local leadership team. He will be a key contributor to shaping the studio culture, improving production intelligence mentoring talent development and leading senior production staff.

As a 17-year games industry veteran, Tony has worked his way up within the production network from starting in quality assurance to stepping into the career path of producer. His expertise and passion for team building and collaboration will continue to be valuable in this new position.

Ubisoft Appoints Elizabeth Loverso as Managing Director of Red Storm Entertainment

RALEIGH, N.C. – September 20, 2022 — Today, Ubisoft announced the appointment of Elizabeth Loverso as Managing Director of Red Storm Entertainment following Steve Reid, studio co-founder and Managing Director, who will retire after 21 years serving in this role. Reid will stay on through the end of the year as a part-time consultant for the studio during the transition.

 

As a founding member of Red Storm Entertainment in 1996 along with Tom Clancy and 17 developers, Reid has been instrumental in the growth and success of the studio, which joined Ubisoft in 2000. He’s overseen the creation of Tom Clancy brands, including Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon.

 

“Red Storm is exactly what I hoped it would become, something that would last. Something that each of us could all be proud of in both creativity and culture. I thank all my co-founders for the boldness to create a startup, and Yves Guillemot for the backing and the partnership to turn games into long-lasting brands,” said Steve Reid, Managing Director, Red Storm Entertainment. “Finally, I thank all our team members, past and present, for their part in our amazing story, and I know Elizabeth will carry on what we started.”

 

Elizabeth Loverso, Vice President of Product Development, will now serve as the Managing Director. With more than 28 years of expertise in production and talent management, she has played a critical role in overseeing the development of numerous award-winning and iconic AAA gaming franchises and collaboration on numerous games in the Tom Clancy and Far Cry universes, as well as Ubisoft Film & Television’s series “Mythic Quest” for Apple TV+ and upcoming Tom Clancy’s The  Division® Heartland and Assassin’s Creed VR.

 

“I am excited to continue the legacy we have created here under Steve’s tutelage with the talented development teams,” said Elizabeth Loverso, Vice President of Product Development.

“I’d like to thank Steve for all that he’s done, and I’m looking forward to building on our success to ensure Red Storm’s teams continue to operate in a healthy and inclusive environment where everyone can achieve their full potential.”

 

In addition to taking on her new role bringing Ubisoft’s strategic vision to life, she will continue production direction of the Red Storm Studio until her replacement is found.

 

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About Red Storm:

The studio was founded back in 1996 by the novelist Tom Clancy, British Royal Navy Captain Doug Littlejohns, Creative Director Steve Reid, and 17 developers. Red Storm released its first game, Tom Clancy’s Politika, in November of 1997. Building on the success of the studio’s first title, Red Storm then released the award-winning and best-selling Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six in 1998. This game defined the tactical shooter genre and established our studio as an industry leader.

 

Acquired by Ubisoft Entertainment in 2000, Red Storm released its next breakthrough title, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, to numerous Game of the Year awards in 2001. Since then, the studio has been recognized worldwide as an integral part of Ubisoft, with ongoing contributions to Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Far Cry, Tom Clancy's The Division, Rocksmith, and other notable Ubisoft brands including the upcoming Tom Clancy's The Division Heartland. Red Storm has been successfully developing games both independently and in collaboration with other Ubisoft studios for over two decades.

 

About Ubisoft:

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew®, Tom Clancy’s The Division®, and Watch Dogs®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2021–22 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,129 million. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

 

© 2022 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries.

Employee Appreciation

Here at Red Storm we take employee appreciation seriously. From cushy work from home arrangements, to sending delectable treats home to their mailbox— we know the fastest way to an employee’s heart is through their stomach! Recently we had the @cocoafortedesserts truck at the studio to serve some seriously delicious cheesecake! Thank you to our employees today and everyday! We appreciate you!!

#employeeappreciationday #yourock #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #gratefulforyou #ingoodcompany #teamgoals #workfam #youearnedit #ubisoftredstorm #lifeatubi

Red Storm Welcomes Haven House

Red Storm Entertainment welcomed Haven House to our studio for a tour and QA session with our developers. Haven House helps under-resourced and at-risk youth build skills, access counseling, find supportive resources, and navigate paths to success. Red Storm has developers who came from this same background, and they were there to share the message that anything is possible with intention and perseverance - so dream BIG!

For more info on Haven House and how you can help→ www.havenhousenc.org

#UbisoftRedStorm #PlayForGood #YouthOutreach #HavenHouseNC

Brooklyn Youth Enrichment

22 years ago Michelle Morris, the founder and President of Brooklyn Youth Enrichment, was at an emotional breaking point, going from one end of the Earth to the other trying to find services for her son who has special needs. When members in her community saw her struggling, they stepped in to help her, and Michelle found her purpose in life. She wanted to give back to her community in a big way, and help struggling families with under-resourced kids. She knew she had to make a difference. Michelle founded Brooklyn Youth Enrichment to do just that. BYE has been bringing art & cultural programs, educational support, food, college scholarships, and Christmas cheer to disadvantaged kids ever since. Ubisoft and Red Storm are proud to support the 2021 BYE Christmas Carnival by donating 265 video games as gifts.

BYE is a grassroots organization working on securing a permanent building, a safe place where children can come for services and events. COVID has made it difficult to secure community spaces; having a permanent building would solve this problem and give BYE the security and ability to deliver life changing services that the residents and children of this community deserve. We urge you to support this initiative by donating to Brooklyn Youth Enrichment.

For more info go to → www.brooklynyouthenrichment.org

#ubisoft #ubisoftredstorm #holidaycheer