Two months after initial rumors, discussions regarding a potential Ubisoft buyout are reportedly still ongoing. A key point of contention is the Guillemot family's desire to maintain control of the company following any acquisition, according to a Reuters report.
Tencent, already the second-largest shareholder, has yet to commit to increasing its stake and joining the buyout proposal. They are reportedly seeking greater control over board decisions, particularly regarding cash flow distribution, in exchange for financing the deal. The Guillemot family has not yet agreed to these terms. Tencent is also aiming to prevent any third-party takeover, adopting a "wait-and-see" approach regarding the Guillemot family's decision.
An Ubisoft spokesperson released the following statement:
"We remain committed to making decisions in the best interests of all of our stakeholders. In this context, as we have already indicated, the Company is also reviewing all its strategic options."
It appears the Guillemots may have to abandon their long-held goal of keeping Ubisoft independent. This isn't their first encounter with a potential takeover, having previously fended off a hostile bid from Vivendi. However, recent challenges, including accusations of sexual misconduct and underperforming game launches (Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Skull and Bones, XDefiant, and Star Wars Outlaws), have put the company in a vulnerable position. The delay of Assassin's Creed Shadows further compounded these difficulties, resulting in significant financial losses.
