Over the past fifteen days, Ubisoft has been the subject of many news stories, with 90% of them being negative. The company sparked speculation with the delay of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, followed by a drop in the company’s stock market value and the potential acquisition by Tencent-Guillemot duo. A rumor originating from Bloomberg sources that has been confirmed today: the Guillemot family, founders of Ubisoft, and the Chinese giant intend to close this purchase agreement sooner rather than later.
As mentioned, and according to Bloomberg data, the Guillemot family and Tencent, who hold a significant percentage of power in the company, have been exploring options with advisors to stabilize the company. In response to these rumors, a company spokesperson told VGC that Ubisoft regularly reviews all its strategic options and will inform the market at the appropriate time if there are any developments.
However, this source makes it clear that, while the possibility of turning Ubisoft into a private company is on the table, the discussions are in the early stages. In fact, this negotiation could turn positive as the rumors stabilized the value of their stocks, which increased by 40% compared to the previous week.
Ubisoft also reiterated that its current focus remains on executing its strategy centered around two key areas: open-world adventure games with Assassin’s Creed as its flagship, and games as a service experiences (GaaS). This focus remains crucial for the company’s future as they evaluate their strategic options for the benefit of all stakeholders.
2024, the worst year for Ubisoft in recent memory
The interest in a possible privatization or sale has gained traction due to the company’s recent financial difficulties. Last month, Ubisoft’s stocks hit their lowest level in almost 11 years after announcing delays in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws. These challenges have cast doubt on the long-term stability of Ubisoft, leading to pressure from investors.
In early September, the hedge fund AJ Investments publicly urged Ubisoft to consider privatization or selling to a strategic investor, with the aim of implementing structural and strategic changes in the company. With the growing interest from Tencent and the Guillemot family in this possibility, Ubisoft’s situation could change significantly in the coming months.
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