Ubisoft‘s two largest shareholders: Guillemot Brothers Ltd (20.5%) and Tencent (around 10%) are in talks about a potential buyout. The deal would make the Assassin’s Creed publisher private, but negotiations have hit a snag. The parties disagree on control of the business post-buyout.
According to Reuters, the Guillemot Brothers Ltd, led by Ubisoft co-founder and CEO Yves Guillemot, seeks to maintain control over the company following the potential buyout, retaining its current level of influence.
Tencent is hesitant to participate in the buyout or boost its stake in Ubisoft until it receives assurances of greater influence over the company’s future direction through increased board decision-making power.
Ongoing discussions between Tencent and the Guillemot family aim to prevent a hostile takeover by another investor. Reuters sources indicate Tencent will patiently wait for the Guillemot family to accept its conditions, ensuring greater influence over Ubisoft’s future.
Tencent declined to comment, and the Guillemot family did not respond to requests. Rumors of a potential buyout surfaced in October amid Ubisoft’s financial struggles, including disappointing sales of Star Wars Outlaws. Following the game’s underwhelming launch, Ubisoft’s share price plummeted, prompting a minority shareholder to advocate for the company to go private.
In September, Ubisoft downgraded its financial projections for the year, pushed back the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows to February 2025, and initiated a comprehensive internal review to identify strategies for boosting performance.
Ubisoft, like many gaming companies, has been restructuring. Recently, it announced the shutdown of two studios linked to XDefiant, which will cease operations next year. Additionally, in October, the developer behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was disbanded.
