Ubisoft Buyout Talks: Tencent and Guillemot Family Explore Options After Stock Decline
Ubisoft is facing a challenging period, with the delay of Assassin's Creed Shadow to 2025 and the underwhelming performance of Star Wars Outlaws contributing to a decade-low stock price. Amidst these difficulties, Tencent and the Guillemot family, who hold significant stakes in Ubisoft, are reportedly discussing a potential buyout.
According to Bloomberg, Tencent, which currently holds 9.2% of Ubisoft's voting rights, and the Guillemot family, who own 20.5%, are exploring possibilities for a buyout. The Guillemot family founded Ubisoft in 1986, and some members, including CEO Yves Guillemot, remain actively involved in the company.
With Ubisoft's stock value plummeting, investors are pushing for a take-private deal or a sale to a strategic buyer. However, no final decisions have been made, and neither Ubisoft nor Tencent has issued official statements regarding these discussions.
In 2022, Tencent acquired a 49.9% stake in the Guillemot Brothers holding company, effectively giving the Guillemot family control over Ubisoft's governance while limiting Tencent's operational influence. This deal prevents Tencent from selling its shares for five years and grants the Guillemot family the right of first refusal should Tencent decide to sell its stake later. The initial partnership aimed to protect Ubisoft from external acquisitions, but the company's current struggles might lead to a shift in strategy.
