Ubisoft is exploring the creation of a new company to house key franchises like Assassin's Creed, aiming to attract investors and potentially sell a stake. Bloomberg reports negotiations are underway with potential investors, including Tencent and several international and French funds. The new entity's market value is projected to surpass Ubisoft's current $1.8 billion capitalization.
However, this plan remains under discussion and is not finalized; Ubisoft may ultimately abandon it. The success of the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows release is a key factor, with Ubisoft reporting positive pre-order progress.
This strategic move unfolds amidst a new controversy in Japan. Kobe City Council and Hyogo Prefectural Assembly member Takeshi Nagase publicly criticized Ubisoft's handling of religious themes in Shadows. Nagase objects to the protagonist's ability to attack monks and temples, specifically citing the game's depiction of Engyō-ji temple in Himeji, where the protagonist "enters with dirty shoes and destroys the sacred mirror."