Tencent and Guillemot Family Consider New Venture for Select Ubisoft Assets

In a significant potential restructuring move, Chinese tech giant Tencent and Ubisoft’s founding Guillemot family are reportedly exploring the creation of a new venture that would house certain Ubisoft assets, according to sources familiar with the matter speaking to Bloomberg.

The proposed reorganization could see selected Ubisoft intellectual properties transferred to a new entity, potentially allowing Tencent to gain increased control over specific IPs through stake ownership in the new venture. Currently, the Guillemot family holds a 14% stake in Ubisoft, while Tencent maintains a 9.99% ownership position.

This development comes amid challenging times for Ubisoft, whose share price has experienced a substantial decline. From a peak of €84.60 in February 2021, the company’s stock has plummeted to €11.41 following recent setbacks, including another delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the closure of XDefiant, and Star Wars Outlaws’ underwhelming market performance.

The discussions appear to be part of broader strategic efforts to stabilize Ubisoft’s position. Last October, both parties were reported to be consulting with advisers about various options, including the possibility of taking Ubisoft private. More recent reports from Reuters suggest that shareholders are evaluating potential buyout structures that would preserve the Guillemot family’s control.

While Tencent’s participation in a potential buyout remains uncertain, sources indicate that ongoing discussions involve the Chinese company seeking greater influence in board decisions. The talks also reportedly aim to prevent possible hostile takeover attempts by other investors. As of now, no final decisions have been made regarding the new venture, and the fate of Ubisoft’s remaining intellectual property portfolio remains unclear.

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