The past year and a bit has been stressful for the executives of Ubisoft, most of which comprise of the founding Guillemot family. Vivendi, the massive French media company, began buying up an alarming amount of shares just over a year ago, shortly after acquiring the Guillemot-owned Gameloft shortly before. Vivendi were clearly attempting a takeover, but the company’s latest financial forecast shows that they’re laying back for a little while.
As reported by Reuters, the latest Vivendi report shows that the company has no plans on the table to acquire Ubisoft for at least the next six months. It’s not the most reassuring statement given that the company still owns 26% of Ubisoft, but it does give the publisher of Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry time to reassess the situation. In a statement to Gamespot, Ubisoft noted Vivendi’s statement, but will keep their guard high as always.
“We will remain vigilant about their long-term intentions and will continue to pursue our strategy of growth and value creation in the interest of all our shareholders.”
With Vivendi closing in on the trigger to buy Ubisoft, the publisher began a desperate share buy-back program to try and lessen Vivendi’s hold on the company. The Guillemot family has been adamant that they don’t want the deal to go through. They believe the acquisition will hinder their ability to move freely to make products they want, which would most certainly be true. It does help that Ubisoft has had a great year too, releasing fewer titles but more with extended sales life with dynamic service-based systems. As a result, their share price has doubled since February, making Vivendi’s job a lot harder.
And so the battle goes into 2018, despite claims that Vivendi wanted to close the acquisition out before the end of the year. Ubisoft, at least for now, has fought them off.
Last Updated: November 17, 2017
Skittle
November 17, 2017 at 14:04
What is the correct pronunciation of Ubisoft?
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
November 17, 2017 at 14:09
After Vivendi takes over?
Vivisoft
VivUbi
UbiViv
Ubiendi
Ubidi
Magoo
November 17, 2017 at 14:17
Wot?
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
November 20, 2017 at 09:53
Read it in the discussion. The notification panel makes it look like gibberish.
Magoo
November 17, 2017 at 14:16
Go Ubi!
Original Heretic
November 17, 2017 at 14:21
Is it Vivendi or VivEAndi?