Tencent has reportedly shuttered its TiMi Montreal studio, which was founded in 2021 with the goal of creating multi-platform open-world games. Despite being in operation for five years, the studio did not manage to launch any games. Throughout its existence, TiMi Montreal notably brought on board Ashraf Ismail, the former creative director of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Ismail’s hiring was noteworthy due to his background in leading successful gaming initiatives. However, his time at Ubisoft ended in controversy after he was let go following an investigation into misconduct allegations. Ismail faced accusations of misusing his position to pursue inappropriate extramarital relationships, resulting in his termination. The closure of TiMi Montreal represents a setback for Tencent’s ambitions in the global gaming arena, especially within the open-world category. The choice to close the studio underscores the difficulties and intricacies involved in founding a new development team capable of producing high-quality gaming experiences.