Ubisoft is considering the launch of a fresh business unit, part-owned by outside companies, that could manage its biggest video game brands.
That’s according to a new Bloomberg report, which claims that Ubisoft shareholder Tencent is being considered for a minority stake in the new venture.
The move would likely include lucrative franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six and Far Cry. These series would then be owned by this new entity, rather than Ubisoft directly.
This business tactic could see Ubisoft’s new entity valued higher than the company itself currently, Bloomberg’s report states. At the same time, the Ubisoft mothership would remain owned by its founding Guillemot family – something that has reportedly been a sticking point in discussions over Ubisoft’s future so far.
Earlier this year, Ubisoft confirmed it was undertaking a strategic review to help right-size the business, following years of falling share prices and a string of disappointing game launches – most notably including big budget new hope Star Wars Outlaws.
The company’s next big bet, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has been delayed twice to ensure it arrives next week in the best possible state.
At the same time, Ubisoft has cut jobs repeatedly across the business, and closed several studios – including its UK based Leamington team. Overall, the company has cut its total staff from 20,279 people in 2022, to 18,666 in September 2024, before its most recent round of redundancies.
“As we mentioned during our Q3 sales, the review of various transformational strategic and capitalistic options is ongoing,” a Ubisoft spokesperson told Eurogamer this week.
“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.”