Ubisoft acknowledges buyout reports: ‘We regularly review options’

Ubisoft has acknowledged a press report claiming that its founding Guillemot family is considering taking the company private with Tencent.

Last week, Bloomberg sources claimed that the Chinese conglomerate – which already owns around 10% of Ubisoft – and Guillemot Brothers Ltd had been speaking with advisers to explore ways to stabilize Ubisoft, following a year in which its market value has more than halved.

One of the possibilities discussed would involve teaming up to take Ubisoft private, it’s claimed, though talks were said to be at an early stage.

The report caused Ubisoft’s share price to increase by nearly 40% compared to a week earlier, and in a statement given to VGC, the company said that it “regularly reviews all its strategic options”.

“Ubisoft has noted recent press speculation regarding potential interests around the Company,” a spokesperson said. “It regularly reviews all its strategic options in the interest of stakeholders and will inform the market if and when appropriate.

“The Company reiterates that management is currently focused on executing its strategy, centred on two core verticals – Open World Adventures and GaaS-native experiences.”

Last month, Ubisoft‘s share price dropped to its lowest point in nearly 11 years. The most recent dips followed Ubisoft’s announcement that it had delayed Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and the disappointing launch performance of Star Wars Outlaws.

Earlier in September, a minority investor called on Ubisoft’s management to take the company private or let it be sold to a strategic investor.

Hedge fund AJ Investments published an open letter calling for strategic and structural changes at Ubisoft.