Mario + Rabbids creator Davide Soliani exits Ubisoft after 25 years

Davide Soliani, the creative director behind the popular Mario + Rabbids series, has announced his departure from Ubisoft after 25 years. Soliani revealed on social media that he is embarking on a new adventure, though specifics remain undisclosed. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, a critically acclaimed turn-based tactics game that blends Nintendo's Mario with Ubisoft's Rabbids, saw immense success with over 10 million players. However, the sequel, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, didn't fare as well commercially. Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot expressed that releasing both games on the same platform, the Nintendo Switch, was a misstep and suggested it would have been better to wait for a new console for the sequel. Ubisoft Milan, which collaborated with Soliani, wished him well and reminisced about his influential contributions to the company.

Why did Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope underperform compared to its predecessor?

The game underperformed primarily because it was released on the same platform as Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, offering a similar gameplay experience. Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot suggested that launching the sequel on a new console would have likely yielded better results.

To provide additional context, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle launched in 2017 and quickly became a fan favorite due to its unique blend of characters and engaging turn-based combat. The game was a collaboration between Nintendo and Ubisoft, bridging two iconic franchises. The emotional reveal of the game at E3 2017, where Soliani was visibly moved, remains a memorable moment in gaming history. Meanwhile, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, released in 2022, aimed to build on the original's success but didn't capture the same level of enthusiasm, partially due to market saturation on the Nintendo Switch.