Tencent and Guillemot Family Eyeing Buyout of Ubisoft: Report

Chinese tech giant Tencent and the Guillemot family, co-founders of Ubisoft, are reportedly in discussions to acquire full control of the French video game developer. This move, which would see Ubisoft taken private, has gained attention following months of uncertainty regarding the company’s financial outlook.

According to Bloomberg, sources familiar with the matter confirmed these talks, sparking renewed speculation about the gaming firm’s future.

The possible buyout comes at a critical time for Ubisoft, which recently revised its revenue forecasts for its much-anticipated title, “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.” This has fueled industry-wide speculation that a change in ownership could be on the horizon. The deal is expected to function similarly to Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, which transitioned the platform from public to private ownership, freeing it from shareholder obligations and public earnings disclosures.

What This Could Mean for Ubisoft’s Ownership

While details are still scarce, the acquisition could see Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft’s current CEO, maintaining a significant role in the company’s leadership. If the deal is structured with the Guillemot family retaining a controlling interest, Ubisoft could continue to operate under its current management while benefiting from the financial muscle of Tencent, China’s largest tech company.

Taking Ubisoft private would offer the company more freedom to focus on long-term strategies without the pressure of quarterly earnings reports or external shareholders. This shift could provide an opportunity for Ubisoft to revamp its portfolio and expand into new territories such as Web3 and blockchain-based gaming, which is gaining traction in the industry.

Blockchain and Web3: A New Frontier for Ubisoft and Tencent?

Both Ubisoft and Tencent have shown early interest in blockchain and crypto-related gaming. While other major gaming players like Square Enix and Pearl Abyss have also ventured into the Web3 space, this potential partnership between Ubisoft and Tencent could create a powerful international coalition focused on blockchain-friendly, AAA games.

It remains to be seen if these talks will materialize into a finalized deal. Nevertheless, the timing seems right as Ubisoft’s stock has surged by more than 30% in light of these rumors, following a year of significant decline. Should the acquisition proceed, it could mark a turning point not just for Ubisoft, but for the gaming industry’s move toward blockchain and decentralized technologies.