Ubisoft notes buyout reports: “We regularly review options”

Ubisoft has noted a press report claiming that the founding Guillemot family is considering taking the company private along with Tencent.

Last week, Bloomberg sources claimed that the Chinese conglomerate – which already owns about 10% of Ubisoft – and Guillemot Brothers Ltd were talking to advisers to explore ways to stabilize Ubisoft after a year of more than a year of Ubisoft’s market value had halved.

One of the options being discussed would be joining forces to take Ubisoft private, it is said, although talks are said to be at an early stage.

The report caused Ubisoft’s share price to rise nearly 40% compared to the week before, and in a statement to VGC the company said it “regularly reviews all of its strategic options.”

“Ubisoft has noted recent speculation in the press about potential interests surrounding the company,” a spokesperson said. “It regularly reviews all strategic options in the interests of stakeholders and will inform the market if necessary.

“The company reiterates that management is currently focused on executing its strategy, which focuses on two core areas – open world adventures and GaaS-native experiences.”

Last month, Ubisoft’s share price fell to its lowest level in almost 11 years. The recent drops followed Ubisoft’s announcement that it had delayed Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the disappointing release of Star Wars Outlaws.

In early September, a minority investor called on Ubioft’s management to privatize the company or sell it to a strategic investor.

Hedge fund AJ Investments published an open letter calling for strategic and structural changes at Ubisoft.