Ubisoft has made a number of studio acquisitions in the past couple of years, but the Assassin's Creed publisher is expanding by opening its own new studios as well. Today, Ubisoft announced plans to open a new development studio in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi.

　　Ubisoft is moving into the Arab gaming market. The studio will open its doors in December under the auspices of Abu Dhabi's twofour54 incentive program. Among other perks, twofour54 provides media and entertainment companies with a tax-free haven, as well as various broadcast, production, and networking facilities.

　　According to today's announcement, Ubisoft will be the first major games publisher to set up shop in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (aka, the GCC). Ubisoft expects to create 100 new jobs to staff the studio over the next five years, with a veteran team being fleshed out by developers local to the region.

　　As for projects, Ubisoft said that its Abu Dhabi studio will initially collaborate with other internal studios on online games. Down the road, Ubisoft plans to have the studio develop original games that cater to both Arab and international consumers.