Even though Hideo Kojima recently declared that Kojima Productions would remain an independent studio – in response to the many rumors that evoked a takeover by Sony Interactive Entertainment – that absolutely does not mean that other major acquisitions will not take place. Besides, Bloomberg and Kotaku believe Ubisoft might be next on the list. More concretely, several investment funds (including Blackstone and KKR) are eyeing the French publisher, but for the moment, the company has not started any serious negotiations with a potential buyer. However, several sources assure that in recent years, Ubisoft has collaborated with consulting firms to conduct audits within its various activities. If most companies do it in order to optimize their profitability, for the French publisher, it would above all be a question of making the bride as beautiful as possible within the framework of a possible sale.
As Kotaku reminds us, the Guillemot family owns 15% of Ubisoft. In July 2018, the stock value was over $110. Today it has dropped to around forty dollars. A more delicate context therefore, not to mention the many internal turmoil (accusations of sexual harassment among others) which led to the departure of several historical executives. Add to that the difficult development of certain projects (Beyond Good & Evil 2, Skull Bones, Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Ghost Recon), and we understand better why Yves Guillemot could decide to hand over, especially since the departure of his son Charlie last year meant that in future the business would no longer be run by a family member.
Invited to speak on the subject, Ubisoft naturally drowned the fish: ” We do not comment on rumors or speculation. Ubisoft has unrivaled creative and production capabilities, including more than 20,000 talented people working in our global studios. Thanks to them, our long-term vision and our taste for creative risk, we have developed some of the most powerful licenses in the industry and are preparing promising projects for the future. Plus, we have one of the richest portfolios, cutting-edge technologies and services, and a huge and growing community of engaged gamers. As such, we are perfectly positioned to capitalize on the rapid industry growth and platform opportunities that come our way. »
After managing to reverse the balance of power with Vivendi and Vincent Bolloré a few years ago, Ubisoft may be turning a page in its history.
