For what seems like year’s now, French media conglomerate Vivendi has been trying to get gets its hooks into game developer and publisher Ubisoft. The media company, which has its fingers in music, television, film, video games, telecommunications and more, already owns 25% of Ubisoft – and has been steadily trying to increase its share.
When we last heard, Vivendi declared that it was not going ahead with an acquisition. They were forced to declare this under French law once they crossed the 25% threshold. In December, they suggested they did not intend to push ahead for a full acquisition.
That’s likely changing. According to a report by Reuters, Vivendi will push ahead with their acquisition of both Ubisoft advertising group Havas within this year.
“Vivendi is moving to the second phase, everything will take place this year,” one of Reuters’ sources said.
The acquisition of Havas seems the more likely and imminent, with Vivendi Chairman Vincent Bollore already owning 60 percent of that company.
“The logical thing would be to buy Ubisoft,” their second source said. That source also added that resistance from the Guillemot family would make a takeover too costly, which would lead Vivendi to look towards China for its acquisitions.
Ubisoft has defiantly fought back against Vivendi. Speaking at last year’s E3, Ubiboss Yves Guillemot’s impassioned speech clearly espoused creative freedom, which would likely be lost under Vivendi.
“I love video games because the real innovation and magic comes when our teams and players are free to create. Free to innovate. Free to express themselves. Free to take risks and have fun,” he added. “That’s what got us here today, and that’s what will drive us for another thirty years and beyond.”
“When you are free, there is no failure,” Guillemot said. “There is only forward.”
If the takeover happens, it would likely mean fewer “risky” games from Ubisoft like Valiant Hearts, Child of Light and Grow Home – and a lot more Assassin’s Creed.
Last Updated: April 26, 2017
Kromas Ryder
April 26, 2017 at 10:35
A lot more Assassins Creed?
What like 1 every 6 months since they already ship 1 a year. And let us be honest. Creative freedom to Ubisoft is slapping a Tom Clancy name on a game.
I for one am looking forward to Vivendi buying them out. At least the safe games will hopefully have better QA and a ton less launch day bugs or server problems.
Allykhat
April 26, 2017 at 11:24
You know what? I actually agree.
I’ve been exceedingly disappointing by Ubi games in recent years and while I do feel bad for them in a way, if a “safe” game is released and is good, it’s still a good game at the end of the day.
Lu
April 26, 2017 at 11:48
This sums it up rather well:
Ottokie
April 26, 2017 at 19:24
“Server problems” …they rather save money by using P2P and not use dedicated servers at all. And forcing idiotic NAT settings.
Ottokie
April 26, 2017 at 19:22
Good news indeed today.