Ubisoft, the French video game giant, finds itself at a crossroads. While navigating rumors of a potential private buyout by the Guillemot family in partnership with Tencent, the company is steadfast in its two primary goals: delivering immersive open-world adventures like *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* and *Star Wars Outlaws* and nurturing long-lasting live service games like *Rainbow Six Siege*.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its future ownership, Ubisoft remains committed to this dual-pronged strategy, a fact reiterated by its executive management in communications with investors and analysts. In a formal response to the buyout speculation, the company further emphasized this commitment, underscoring its unwavering focus on these two core areas of development.
The news of a potential buyout has sent ripples through the gaming community and the stock market. Ubisoft’s shares experienced a significant surge, climbing by as much as 40% from €10.74 to a peak of €15.07 on Monday, October 7. A Ubisoft spokesperson addressed the rumors in a statement to video game publication VGC, reaffirming the company’s existing roadmap while acknowledging the speculation surrounding a possible change in ownership.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft is undergoing a thorough review of its business units to enhance operational efficiency, optimize spending, and prioritize projects with the greatest potential for success. This strategic shift follows the underperformance of *Star Wars Outlaws* and a desire to avoid similar outcomes in the future. This is likely the reason behind the delay of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* from the holiday 2024 season. Reports suggest that Ubisoft initially planned to release ten *Assassin’s Creed* titles over the next five years, a diverse mix of remasters, new AAA experiences, and even a mobile game.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Ubisoft’s plan is its intention to seamlessly blend live service elements into its open-world adventures. This strategy began with the release of *Assassin’s Creed Origins* in 2017, where optional in-game purchases were introduced to enhance gameplay. This trend is expected to continue, especially with the upcoming launch of the ambitious *Assassin’s Creed Infinity*, a platform designed to serve as a storefront, launcher, and proprietary gaming client all in one.
As Ubisoft navigates the complexities of its future, its commitment to open-world adventures and live services remains unwavering. The company’s strategy, highlighted by the integration of live service elements into its open-world titles, suggests a future filled with innovative and engaging gaming experiences for players worldwide.
