Ubisoft? Uh-oh. The embattled French video game brand is making headlines (again) as a minority shareholder is organizing a protest outside its Paris headquarters.
The shareholder claims Ubisoft wasn’t entirely transparent about its recent takeover talks.
In October, word spread regarding Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent’s potential Ubisoft acquisition following several new titles’ abysmal sales figures and numerous delays. However, the shareholder says similar discussions with Microsoft, EA, and other publishers were kept under wraps.
Juraj Krúpa, CEO of minority stakeholder company AJ Investments, told IGN the “horribly mismanaged” Ubisoft is “hiding information,” including Saudi investment firm Savvy Group’s role in its upcoming Assassin’s Creed Mirage DLC. AJ Investments said it is prepared to “sue the company for misleading investors.”
Krúpa said Ubisoft needs “a clear roadmap for recovery” that addresses “declining shareholder value, lackluster operational execution, and failure to adapt effectively to market trends.” He continued: “All shareholders/investors of Ubisoft deserve a company that maximizes value and operates with transparency and accountability … Ubisoft has continued to underperform compared to its industry peers, and it is time for the company to listen to its shareholders. This demonstration will be a powerful statement from investors who believe in the company’s potential but demand urgent change.”
In response, Ubisoft issued a statement to IGN:
“As we mentioned during our Q3 sales, the review of various transformational strategic and capitalistic options is ongoing. The Board has established an ad-hoc independent Committee to oversee this formal and competitive process, so as to extract the best value from Ubisoft’s assets and franchises for all stakeholders. Ubisoft will inform the market in accordance with applicable regulations if and once a transaction materialises.”
In its release, Ubisoft also told IGN it would “inform the market if and when appropriate,” but that seems to be the crux of shareholders’ beef with brand leadership. Additionally, infamous misconduct allegations, generative AI usage, rampant layoffs, and sub-par employee treatment continue to decimate the brand’s public image.
Additional acquisition speculation continues, with some saying Ubisoft’s Guillemot family won’t loosen its grip, pushing Tencent to rethink the endeavor. Despite its unsavory stock performance, Ubisoft remains a colossal brand; affordability reduces its buyer pool considerably, leaving only other AAA companies in the running. Which company pulls the longest straw, however, remains to be seen.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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