Ubisoft has delayed the release of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows by another month, amid concerns over its financial health and ongoing rumors of a potential sale to gaming giant Tencent.
During an emergency conference call with investors, CEO Yves Guillemot and CFO Frederick Duguet provided little reassurance about the company’s future. The duo acknowledged that they are exploring “transformational strategic and capitalistic options” to extract value from Ubisoft’s assets, but refused to elaborate on specific plans or proposals.
The news came as a surprise, particularly given the recent designation of Tencent as a Chinese military company by the US government. This has raised concerns about potential regulatory hurdles for a sale. Guillemot declined to comment on whether this would impact any potential acquisition.
Despite Guillemot’s cautious language, investors expressed skepticism about Ubisoft’s prospects. The tone of the discussion was marked by concern over the health of the company and the value of shareholders’ investments.
Ubisoft has struggled in recent years, with a string of high-profile flops, game cancellations, and delay after delay. The company is now facing significant uncertainty as it navigates its financial situation and explores potential sale options.
The board of directors has appointed advisors to review various options, but it remains unclear what specific proposals are being considered or how far along the process is. Investors will have to wait for further updates before getting a clearer picture of Ubisoft’s future.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-investors-grill-ceo-cfo-on-potential-tencent-sale-delays-and-financial-woes