Emile Morel, the newly appointed creative director of the highly anticipated game Beyond Good and Evil 2, has tragically passed away at the age of 40. Morel’s untimely death has deeply saddened the gaming community, with colleagues and industry professionals expressing their heartfelt condolences and recognizing his significant contributions to the gaming world. Let’s explore the impact of Emile Morel’s passing and the legacy he leaves behind.
The gaming industry mourns the loss of Emile Morel, the creative director of Beyond Good and Evil 2, who passed away at the age of 40. The news of Morel’s death was initially shared by his colleagues on LinkedIn, eliciting an outpouring of grief and fond remembrances of their time working together.
Former Beyond Good and Evil 2 narrative director, M. Gabreille Shrager, expressed the profound loss, describing Morel as a cherished colleague and recounting the shared experiences and accomplishments they had at Ubisoft Montpellier. Shrager emphasized Morel’s pride in Beyond Good and Evil 2, the Space Monkeys community, and his dedicated team, underscoring the significant impact he made during his tenure.
Ubisoft Montpellier producer Greg Hermittant also paid tribute to Morel, reminiscing about their years of collaboration and commending his kind-heartedness and unwavering support. Hermittant highlighted Morel’s positivity and expressed gratitude for the privilege of working alongside him on various projects throughout the years.
Reports from Kotaku indicate that Morel had been promoted in February as part of a restructuring at Ubisoft Montpellier following concerns of burnout and high sick leave rates at the studio. His passing is a devastating blow to the team and the industry as a whole.
During his time at Ubisoft, Morel contributed to several notable titles, including The Adventures of Tintin and Rayman Legends. Prior to joining Ubisoft, he worked on games such as Alone in the Dark and Test Drive Unlimited 2 at Eden Games, showcasing his talent and dedication to the craft of game development.
Despite Beyond Good and Evil 2’s lengthy 15-year development process, the team remains committed to carrying on Morel’s work on the project. The game has garnered significant anticipation and sporadic updates have kept fans eager for more information. In 2017, it was revealed that Beyond Good and Evil 2 is being built on the new Voyager game engine to create an expansive world that aligns with the ambitious scope of the title.
The gaming community mourns the loss of Emile Morel and the immense talent he brought to the industry. His legacy as a creative director and his dedication to the games he worked on will be remembered by colleagues and fans alike. The impact of his contributions will continue to be felt as the team at Ubisoft Montpellier strives to honor his memory and bring Beyond Good and Evil 2 to fruition.
