Ubisoft Milan Faces Talent Exodus as Senior Developers Depart

Ubisoft Milan, the studio behind the acclaimed Mario + Rabbids series, is experiencing a significant talent exodus as another senior developer, Cristina Nava, has decided to leave the company. Nava's departure comes just a month after the exit of the Mario + Rabbids creative lead, Davide Soliani, further raising concerns about the studio's ability to retain its top talent.

Ubisoft Milan Loses Another Key Developer Amid Talent Shuffle

Cristina Nava's Departure and Contributions

Cristina Nava, a seasoned producer at Ubisoft Milan, has announced her decision to leave the company after an impressive 16-year tenure. Nava was a driving force behind the development of both the original Mario + Rabbids game and its sequel, Sparks of Hope, which has sold over 3 million copies since its release in 2022. Additionally, she played a crucial role in Ubisoft Milan's contribution to the highly anticipated Star Wars Outlaws project, which was led by Massive Entertainment but received assistance from numerous Ubisoft studios.In her farewell message, Nava expressed her gratitude for the incredible colleagues she had the privilege of working with over the years, describing the creation of the "oddball" Mario + Rabbids saga in partnership with Nintendo as a "dream come true." While she did not reveal the details of her next career step, Nava stated that she is excited to embark on a new chapter in her professional journey.

The Departure of Davide Soliani and the Impact on Mario + Rabbids

Nava's exit comes just a month after the departure of Davide Soliani, the creative lead behind the Mario + Rabbids franchise. Soliani, like Nava, was vague about his future plans, simply stating that he had decided to "embark on a new adventure." The loss of these two key figures from the Mario + Rabbids team raises questions about the future direction of the series and Ubisoft Milan's ability to maintain its creative vision and momentum.The Mario + Rabbids games have been critical successes, with the first installment reaching over 10 million players since its launch in 2017. The sequel, Sparks of Hope, released in 2022, has also performed well, selling more than 3 million copies. However, despite the strong reviews, Sparks of Hope initially disappointed commercially, with Ubisoft expressing surprise at its underperformance during the final weeks of 2022.

Ubisoft Milan's Future Plans and the Star Wars Outlaws Project

At the time of the interview with Nava last summer, Ubisoft Milan was still actively involved in the development of Star Wars: Outlaws, which was being led by Massive Entertainment. Nava had indicated that the studio planned to take on another "big, compelling" game project after its work on Outlaws was completed.The departure of Nava and Soliani, two key figures in Ubisoft Milan's creative leadership, raises concerns about the studio's ability to maintain its momentum and execute on future projects effectively. The success of the Mario + Rabbids franchise has been a significant source of pride for Ubisoft, and the loss of these seasoned developers could potentially impact the studio's ability to deliver on its ambitious plans.As Ubisoft Milan navigates this period of transition, the industry will be closely watching to see how the studio responds and whether it can continue to attract and retain top talent to maintain its position as a premier game development studio within the Ubisoft ecosystem.