Summary
- Ubisoft’s reported buyout talks with Tencent have allegedly been put on hold, with the Guillemot family’s demand for control of the company proving to be a sticking point.
- It’s also reported that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is being used as a bargaining tool, with the performance of the title key to both sides in negotiations.
Ubisoft’s financial woes have been well documented. Skull & Bones was a complete disaster, XDefiant is getting shut down, and Star Wars Outlaws underperformed both critically and commercially. Its owners – the Guillemot family – have reportedly been seeking ways to steady the ship in these trying times, and one such method was an alleged buyout by Chinese conglomerate Tencent.
It was reported last year that Tencent was in talks with the Guillemot family about buying out the rest of Ubisoft’s shareholders to take the company private, but a new report has now claimed that those talks are now on hold. This comes from Insider Gaming, which claims that talks have been struggling as the Guillemot family refuses to relinquish full control of Ubisoft.
Ubisoft And Tencent Buyout Talks Reportedly Halted Over Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Insider Gaming also notes that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is potentially being used as a bargaining tool by both Ubisoft and Tencent, and that the performance of the title could be key in deciding exactly what goes down. If Assassin’s Creed Shadows is successful, the Guillemot family gains the upper hand in negotiations, with a financial powerhouse under its belt.
Conversely, if Assassin’s Creed Shadows were to completely bomb, it would mean that Ubisoft’s share value would likely plummet, and that Tencent would be able to wrestle more control of the company at a lower price. This is also likely the reason behind the game’s recent delay to the middle of March, in an attempt to push it away from other big releases and give it the best chance of success.
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According to Insider Gaming’s sources, Assassin’s Creed Shadows being a success is the more likely option, as the game had strong pre-order numbers before its first delay, and that those numbers are “still looking strong”. It’s unlikely that this latest month-long delay will affect those numbers too much, so it seems as though the game is on course for a strong commercial showing. How that affects the buyout talks, we’ll have to wait and see.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.