A Splinter Cell

Google Maps is a great tool for urban exploration but woe if you're not paying careful attention. After a leg-busting hike up a mountain, navigating the streets of Montreal turned into a frogger-style challenge that ended up in a circuitous route leading to this particular corner of the city.

Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six are a few of the gaming hits published by this multinational company. You can see graphic panels on the walls with game imagery.

I stood there looking at the UBISOFT studio in surprise. I couldn't believe it. I don't know what I was expecting, but this felt surreal. The building gave me Gotham City vibes. Imagine working there as a game designer, I thought. It even had its own bus stop that probably looks cool on snowy winter nights.