In October, the North American game industry was surprised when Patrice Desilets announced he was leaving his employer of many years, Ubisoft Montreal. The longtime creative director of the award-winning Assassin's Creed series departed to lead up THQ's new Montreal studio, which he will begin running this summer.

　　Patrice Desilets.

　　Today comes word that Desilets won't be the only one leaving Ubisoft Montreal. Speaking to Joystiq, THQ core games head Danny Bilson said that a trio of unnamed top developers are also jumping ship from the shop.

　　"I don't think I can talk about the other three people we've already contracted because I wouldn't … I just know Patrice said, 'I need these three guys.' And I said 'Okay! Whatever you need!'" Bilson told the gaming blog. "We put all of them on retention and got them started on their non-compete [clauses]. I kind of know what their roles are, but they were the most important people to Patrice. All three of them are Ubi."

　　The mystery trio's exodus marks the latest talent departure from Ubisoft Montreal. Last summer, the studio's overall creative director, Clint Hocking, also departed the business. In August, LucasArts announced he had joined the San Francisco-based developer-publisher as creative director of an unnamed project.