We probably won’t teach you anything by saying thatUbisoft is currently not in the best shape. Last week, the French publisher canceled its participation in the Tokyo Game Show at the last minute then postponed the release date ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows to February 14, 2025. A postponement occurring the day after the announcement of Ghost of Yōteiwhich publicly does not worry Yves Guillemot, and which had apparently been hoped for for a while by the developers. All this took place in a context where the firm has continued to fall on the stock market for months, combined with “poor” sales of Star Wars Outlaws. Players and other commentators on the networks do not give much of their skin unless their next game is a success. It is in this context thata rumor coming from Bloomberg came to shake up the stock markets this Friday just before the weekend.
Indeed, according to people familiar with the matter, the Guillemot brothers, owners ofUbisoft at 14.16% (not counting Yves Guillemot alone who holds 0.5670% and the 3.559% ofUbisoft Entertainment) and the Chinese giant Tencentwhich for its part has 9.916% of the shares, would consider a radical solution already proposed in a certain way by another shareholder last month, namely collaborate and take the company private through a buyout. The term “buyout” is well used here, even if it is not as simple. The Guillemot brothers and Tencent have discussed various options, notably to stabilize the company and strengthen its stock market value with advisors, and this would be one of the possibilities, but therefore not the only one. Obviously, no spokesperson wanted to comment on this.
However, it didn’t take long for this simple rumor to have an impact. Following the publication of the article, the shares ofUbisoft gained more than 33% on the Paris Stock Exchange, going from €10.77 around 3:45 p.m. to €14.20 around 5:30 p.m.. This is certainly little compared to the peaks of recent years, except that it will have obviously made some people happy, with possible insider trading by the way…
Looking at what he does Tencent generally, it’s not really his habit to buy companiesbut rather to cast a wide net by investing everywhere and let it happen. Moreover, following the purchase of 49.9% of the shares of Guillemot Brothers Ltd. by Tencent in 2022it is not possible for the latter to increase its capital in Ubisoft beyond 9.99% or to have a right of veto for eight years (September 2030) nor to resell its shares for five years (2027)a maneuver which allowed the brothers to maintain their governance as majority shareholders without fear of a hostile takeover bid. If an OPR (Public Withdrawal Offer) were to take place, this agreement would undoubtedly have to be reviewed so that Tencent can buy back shares before leaving the stock market, unless the Guillemot brothers can afford it. In which case, Ubisoft could therefore end up being majority owned by the Chinese firmwho would obviously have the means. And if the siblings intend to withdraw while recovering maximum liquidity, this would be the ideal opportunity.
It is still necessary wonder what Tencent would have to gain from this whole situation. Indeed, at the start of the year, when we reported the rumor of a release ofAssassin’s Creed Jade not before 2025 (which unless there is a surprise will be the case), Reuters mentioned a change in strategy with a reduction in the development of Western licenses on mobile in favor of its own. So unless you literally have the licenses toUbisoft following a buyout, the simple fact of being able to use them no longer seems as attractive.
Finally, if ever Ubisoft ends up coming under Chinese control, it would still be an immense loss for French industry and a second case of its kind after the acquisition of Quantic Dream by NetEase Games in 2022. There is also nothing to say that privatization would not lead to more layoffs, which has already been the case since September 2022 as part of an internal restructuring.
In short, beyond all this capitalist side, we can only hope for one thing, that the next games ofUbisoft are sufficiently qualitative, because this is the only way for society to persist, no matter who is at the head.
Currently, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is sold for €24.99 instead of €49.99 for members Fnacor even from €29.99 per Amazon.
Read also: DON’T NOD: the games disappoint, the studio wants to “reach a wider audience” and makes tough decisions
| Alexandre SAMSON (Omega Law) Editor | ||
| Addicted to Assassin’s Creed and Destiny, big fan of RPGs and passionate about video game experiences in general. Reader of comics (DC) and various mangas (One Piece!). Chemist by training and Whovian at heart. | ||
| Follow me : |   | |
