Ubisoft Buys Amazon Games Montreal: Inside the Surprise ‘March of Giants’ Deal Shaking Up 2026 Gaming

Ubisoft is closing out 2025 with a headline-grabbing move: the French publisher has reached a deal to acquire March of Giants, the multiplayer online battle-arena (MOBA) title and the Amazon Games Montréal team that created it. Announced on 15 December, the agreement gives Ubisoft full publishing rights to the game and folds roughly 140 developers into the company’s Canadian network, which already includes studios in Montréal, Québec City and Toronto. Industry analysts view the purchase as part of Ubisoft’s renewed push into the fast-growing competitive live-service sector. March of Giants has been in closed beta since mid-2024 and has generated buzz for its large-scale 10-versus-10 matches and cross-platform progression. By adding the project to its lineup, Ubisoft gains a ready-made MOBA that can complement flagship esports franchises such as Rainbow Six Siege and the upcoming XDefiant. According to the company’s statement, the Montréal team will “continue developing March of Giants with creative autonomy,” while Ubisoft Connect integration and regional servers are slated for the game’s open beta in Q2 2026. The timing is significant. Ubisoft delayed its half-year earnings release last month amid reports of cost-cutting and potential studio downsizing. Management now hopes the March of Giants deal will reassure investors that the publisher is still willing to spend on high-growth opportunities despite ongoing belt-tightening. In a note to clients, investment firm Stifel called the acquisition “a relatively small but strategic swing” that could diversify revenue as flagship franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry face longer development cycles. For players, the immediate impact will be felt in the beta roadmap. Closed-beta testers will be migrated to Ubisoft Connect in January, gaining access to cross-play parties, an updated ping system and weekly “Titan Trials” events that reward cosmetic gear usable at launch. Ubisoft also confirmed that March of Giants will join the publisher’s Winter Spotlight showcase on 9 February, where fans can expect a new cinematic trailer and details on the first competitive season’s battle pass. If successful, the move could signal a broader shopping spree as Ubisoft hunts for externally developed live-service titles to shorten time-to-market. With Embracer Group offloading assets and other midsize studios seeking partners, 2026 may see Ubisoft pick up additional multiplayer projects—especially in genres where the company lacks a marquee presence. For now, all eyes are on March of Giants and whether Ubisoft can turn an under-the-radar Amazon experiment into its next evergreen platform.