For quite a while now, mega media company Vivendi has slowly but surely been buying up shares in Ubisoft - the French publisher behind the likes of Assassin's Creed and Ghost Recon. Once Vivendi owns 30 per cent of Ubisoft's shares - it currently holds 25 per cent - it'll be required by French law to make the publisher an offer, essentially negotiating a major stake in Ubisoft.
And according to Reuters, the this could all happen sooner than some anticipate. Vivendi is apparently looking to accelerate its acquisitions in this area throughout 2017, which could mean that Ubisoft will be swallowed up by the corporation before the year is out.
Now, Vivendi has actually gone on record saying that it doesn't want an outright takeover of Ubisoft, but the publisher has previously expressed worry over the possibility. Of course, if Vivendi does go on to buy Ubisoft out, it's difficult to say exactly what might change. Ubisoft itself has said that it could end up costing the business its creative freedom.
What do you make of all this? Dish out some moolah in the comments section below.
[source reuters.com]
Comments 18
Urgh.
I think it is Ubisofts fault for leaving all their shares in locations across a map of France, highlighted with flashing icons on peoples maps and sat navs. It looks like Vivendi (after scaling some large structures) has been collecting them all up.
At least, I think that is how big business works.
"Creative" freedom
@BLP_Software
Was going to post the same thing.
Still, I don't think this is good. I'm not the biggest Ubisoft fan, but I do like some of its games. What I really don't like is I think this could squash, for good, any possibility of a new Beyond Good & Evil or a quirky Switch exclusive like Red Steel 3.
Think I like about Ubisoft is while they do make a lot of samey games, they do make the odd unique game that other developers would never dreams to make( example For Honor, Beyond Good and Evil, Rayman)
@Rudy_Manchego To my shame, despite having an account, I haven't logged in in ages, but I had to so I could congratulate your comment. Made my day!
@sabaki08 Thanks - I couldn't help myself!
@Rudy_Manchego @sabaki08 I second that,just got home from a bad day at work and that comment nearly made me spit out my coffee..Still got the chuckles now
"Ubisoft itself has said that it could end up costing the business its creative freedom"
wouldn't they actually need to be creative in the first place in order to lose it?
after all how many slightly changed reskins of ACII can you release anyway?
Remember Vivendi already pursued a hostile buyout of Gameloft so could do that again here...
@Rudy_Manchego haha funny you should say that, I found some Ubisoft shares last time I climbed a radio tower!
No problem, overtime I see on here something with a UBISOFT game, everyone is putting it and the company down, so why are people arguing about this now? This may actually help out Ubisoft a little more financially, and hopefully get some of their older games a fresh new start. I'd like to see a Rayman Raving Rabbids title on the PS4 that wasn't Rabbids Invasion, but I'd also like to see a brand new Rayman title too.
@JLPick This will be a clean out of franchises and then they kill of the company.
@Flaming_Kaiser Remember VIRGIN games? The MC Kids were pretty good titles...Global Gladiators for Genesis was hard as nails, for a McDonalds titled game. Too bad not all of the companies stay around.
@JLPick
Never played these games but i understand what your thinking.
So i agree with you al the way.
Look at EA they have bought some really nice studio's /franchises to kill them off. Like Burnout, Mercenaries was changed and became horrible, Red Alert the same. And Vivendi is clearly about making a fast buck thats never good for a gamestudio. That being said Ubisoft where idiots for being so careless.
And for haters out there i rather keep them around they have some nice titles. And we dont need another EA or Activision with the same kind of titles everytime.
@Wazeddie22 Thanks - I do Ubisoft stand up routines. Admittedy, it is a niche audience and reviews have not been kind
@Dodoo I know, they really are careless with their shares. I got a load of dividends for clearing out a small village using only a bow and arrow. These share schemes really need to stop.
UBISOFT
CREATIVE FREEDOM
pick 1
@FullbringIchigo
Ask EA, they have been doing it for years with their sports games.
( yes yes i know im late)
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