Over the past few years, Ubisoft has faced some incredibly tough times, causing speculation about its potential demise. Back in February 2021, a share of the French publisher was worth €84.60. However, this value has drastically dropped to just 12.35 euros, representing a staggering 85% decrease. At present, there’s no sign that things will improve, and it appears that Assassin’s Creed: Shadows could be the last hope for the studio to turn things around.
Tom Henderson, creator of Insider Gaming, has shared insights on the present status of Ubisoft, and we’ll delve into his findings in this article.
Tencent’s acquisition of Ubisoft
It was unexpectedly revealed in October that Tencent was supposedly considering purchasing Ubisoft to make it a privately-held company. However, this deal didn’t materialize, and Henderson attributes this to the Guillemot brothers refusing to relinquish control, which Tencent apparently found unacceptable.
According to him, the paused talks appear to be a tactic that both parties seem to be employing. Tencent plans to gradually acquire more shares, thereby growing its ownership, while the Guillemot brothers are likely waiting until February when Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is set for release before making their next move.
From my perspective as an enthusiastic fan, if our beloved game becomes a triumph, it’ll undeniably boost the Guillemot brothers’ bargaining power, opening up more favorable opportunities when negotiations recommence. Conversely, should the game underperform, Tencent could potentially expand its shares at a significantly reduced cost.
According to multiple reports, Henderson is optimistic that the Guillemot brothers will experience success due to a substantial amount of pre-orders for “AC: Shadows” prior to its delay. However, it’s important to note that these pre-orders weren’t as numerous as those for “AC: Valhalla.
Poor management
As a gamer, I’d put it this way: “I’ve noticed that, for years now, the leadership in this company seems to have its priorities mixed up. It’s all about maintaining friendships and family ties within the team, often at the expense of the countless hardworking developers who are left feeling frustrated.
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve come across numerous projects that have encountered substantial hurdles along their journey, much like Skull and Bones, Beyond Good & Evil 2, and XDefiant. But it’s not all doom and gloom; there are smaller titles too, such as Project U, which was unveiled in 2022. Unfortunately, after five years of development, it had to take a step back and return to the drawing board recently.
As a passionate follower, I’ve learned about the September investigation at Ubisoft aimed at uncovering operational issues. However, based on my conversations, it seems none of us expect this probe to bring about any real changes. The general consensus among former and current employees is that Yves Guillemot, if given a choice, would rather stand by the company than relinquish his leadership role.
It’s interesting to note that annual employee surveys at Ubisoft provide some degree of anonymity for feedback. However, these studies have been met with relatively low trust, with approximately 15-20% expressing trust in the process.
Future of the French company
2025 has just begun, but it appears poised for a groundbreaking moment for the French company. According to Henderson, much hinges on Shadows, the upcoming project from Ubisoft, and their strategy to regain player trust to prevent privatization.
Apart from the game we discussed earlier, the company is developing multiple other games scheduled for release by the end of 2026. These could potentially become popular additions to their collection. Among them are the remakes of Splinter Cell, Far Cry 7, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed: Hexe, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, and the revived Rayman series.
From my perspective as a passionate gamer, it’s been brought to light that this company has been consistently pouring vast resources into projects that, in my view, seem destined for a fall. To name a few, these include Project U, a battle royale reminiscent of Apex Legends (Project Scout), an extraction shooter (Project Maverick), and games centered around NFTs. It’s a bit disheartening to see such investments when the outcomes seem uncertain.
The future remains uncertain, but Ubisoft appears stuck in a dull predicament at present. This is a simplified summary by Henderson.
Ubisoft appears to be at a critical juncture. Regardless of the direction it takes, transformative leadership changes seem essential for it to thrive.
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2025-01-09 17:02