Following the delay of Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft executives may be considering a purchase.
Some Ubisoft shareholders are considering the possibility of acquiring the company to privatize it, following a series of significant transformations.
Ubisoft has announced significant changes to its game publishing and release strategy, and recent information suggests that they may be undergoing a new restructuring. Sources indicate that Tencent, the Guillemot family, the founders of the company, and other minority shareholders are considering a possible buyout to take Ubisoft private. Currently, Tencent owns 9.2% of Ubisoft's shares, while the Guillemot family holds approximately 20.5%. However, it is important to mention that these discussions are in preliminary stages, and no transaction may materialize, which could indicate further internal tensions within the company.
On September 25, the company announced that the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, previously scheduled for November, has been delayed until February of next year. Ubisoft explained to its users that this delay is intended to ensure a high level of quality. Additionally, investors were informed that the company is adopting a more player-focused approach and will be making several modifications to its business model. Among the changes, the elimination of the season pass model that encouraged players to spend more on additional content stands out, as well as the return to launching games on Steam from day one on PC, rather than being limited solely to its own platform.
Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, mentioned that the results for the second quarter did not meet expectations, which led them to act quickly and decisively, focusing on a more player-centered approach and the long-term value of their brands. This announcement triggered an increase of up to 33% in Ubisoft's stock value, a considerable rise from its lowest levels since 2015, in a context where shares have dropped more than 40% since January. Part of this recent decline has been attributed to the lukewarm reception of the game Star Wars Outlaws, released at the end of August, which had sales considered below expectations. The team behind Outlaws is working on a series of updates to address player feedback.
Ubisoft also recently revealed Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which has captured fans' attention by being set in Feudal Japan, a setting that has been requested since the early days of the franchise in 2007. During a prior presentation, two playable characters, Yasuke and Naoe, were showcased, offering distinct and complementary gameplay. Yasuke stands out with his imposing presence and combat skills, allowing him to interact uniquely with NPCs and approach the world in a striking manner.
Additionally, the company has had a successful start to 2024, with the release of titles such as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and XDefiant, in addition to its upcoming game showcase, Ubisoft Forward, where more information about Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws is expected to be revealed.
