Has ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Missed the Mark? Ubisoft Seeks Major Investors for Spin-Off Ventures

It looks like Ubisoft is shaking things up by seeking financial partners for a new business venture that leverages some of its flagship franchises, like Assassin’s Creed. This scoop comes from a Bloomberg report sourced from insiders in the know.

According to Bloomberg, the gaming powerhouse from France is on the hunt for bids for this new initiative, hoping to secure them by the end of the month. The stakes up for grabs are reportedly just a minority, but one name already tossed into the ring is Tencent. For those who might not remember, Tencent already owns a 9.99% share in Ubisoft and has been frequently mentioned in discussions about the company’s future direction.

Insiders told Bloomberg reporters Dong Cao, Vinicy Chan, and Benoit Berthelot that Ubisoft aims for this spin-off to potentially be valued higher than the main company. However, they also noted that plans are still in the works, and nothing is set in stone.

When Bloomberg approached Ubisoft for comments, the company referred them to its quarterly earnings release. Within, Ubisoft mentioned it is actively reviewing a range of strategic and capital options to maximize the value of its assets and franchises for all stakeholders. As for Tencent, they decided not to comment on the matter.

If these reports hold true—and Bloomberg usually hits the mark, especially on industry topics—this is quite a strategic play by Ubisoft. By pooling its top franchises into a new entity, the company could be presenting a refined package of its most lucrative offerings, perhaps leaving behind some of its less favorable history.

This move might also help distance Ubisoft’s prized intellectual properties from some troubling issues in its past. Not too long ago, three former executives faced court proceedings over serious allegations, including psychological and sexual harassment. The next hearing is scheduled for June. A new business line could potentially insulate valuable IPs from such controversies, making them more attractive to investors.

There’s still curiosity about how Assassin’s Creed: Shadows might influence these developments. The game’s success—both critically and in terms of sales—could be pivotal in determining Ubisoft’s trajectory. Given it’s part of this new business strategy, it’s never been more crucial for Ubisoft that the game performs well.

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is set to release on March 20, so we’ll soon see how it fares and how it might shape Ubisoft’s future in this rapidly evolving industry.