2012 seems to be the year that everyone's focusing on as far as the next generation of consoles is concerned, and Ubisoft seems to be no different. The French publisher is hiring new staff in preparation of the successor consoles, which it is expecting in or around that magic year.

"We want to take advantage of a company that could bring more technology to us, or new brands," claims CEO Yves Guillemot. "So we have now enough to help us to grow the company for not only next year but to get ready for the coming of the next generation consoles that are probably going to happen 2011, 2012.

"We have to be ready for that, we are already hiring people and buying some technology and looking at some brands as well."

Ubisoft will also be announcing the acquisition of a new sports property, following the success of Shaun White Snowboarding. So, while other companies are currently cutting staff and preparing for hard times, Ubisoft is lapping it up. Good for them, I guess.