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Is no secret that Ubisoft is currently facing pressure from shareholders to consider a potential sale. The company’s shares have fallen to decade lows, prompting discussions about a possible buyout. The Guillemot family, which founded Ubisoft and currently holds a significant stake in the company, has been in talks with Tencent and other investors about financing a management-led buyout.
However, the family wishes to retain control over the company, which complicates the negotiations and added to the mix, that this potential sale has broader implications for the gaming industry.
If successful, it could lead to significant changes in Ubisoft’s management and strategic direction1. The involvement of Tencent, a major player in the gaming industry, could also influence the company’s future projects and partnerships.
But it appears that the recent announcement of the sunsetting of XDefiant hold more than it was told publicly.
And we are starting with a expected and overdue sequel, Beyond Good & Evil 2…
Michel Ancel, the creator of Rayman and Beyond Good & Evil, recently spoke about the ongoing development struggles of Beyond Good & Evil 2 in an interview with Superpouvoir.
According to Ancel, the project has been significantly hindered by conflicts among the game’s managers. These clashes have stemmed from differing creative visions and approaches, leading to constant changes and a lack of cohesive direction.
Ancel pointed out that the artistic director, game director, and himself often found themselves at odds over the game’s direction.
This lack of alignment has resulted in a project that has struggled to find its footing, despite the high expectations set by its predecessor.
The ambitious scope of Beyond Good & Evil 2, which aims to offer an expansive and immersive universe, has only compounded these challenges, making it difficult for the team to deliver a consistent and unified vision.
With all the problems, there has been rumors about the effect of the Project Wild Cancelation snd with this, another significant revelation involves Ubisoft’s handling of the now-canceled PlayStation exclusive game Wild.
The game’s director has described Ubisoft’s management of the project as a “real scandal,” expressing deep frustration over the company’s approach. Wild was initially announced with much fanfare, promising a unique open-world experience where players could control various animals and explore a prehistoric world.
However, despite the initial excitement, the development of Wild faced numerous setbacks. The director highlighted issues such as a lack of clear direction, insufficient support, and constant changes in priorities from Ubisoft’s management1. These problems ultimately led to the project’s cancellation, leaving many fans and developers disappointed.
Finally, we are returning with XDefiant and with this, some uncomfortable rumor that it has the Internet talking all right.
Unofficial sources claims that Ubisoft’s decision to sunset XDefiant is part of a broader strategy to devalue the company in anticipation of a potential sale. While Ubisoft has not officially confirmed these rumors, the timing of the decision, coupled with ongoing discussions about a possible buyout, has fueled speculation.
The company’s shares have been under significant pressure, and the closure of XDefiant, along with the layoffs at Ubisoft’s San Francisco, Osaka, and Sydney studios, has been seen by some as a move to cut costs and streamline operations in preparation for a sale. The involvement of Tencent and other investors in financing a management-led buyout has added to these speculations.
It’s important to note that Ubisoft has stated that the decision to sunset XDefiant was primarily due to the game’s inability to attract and retain enough players in the highly competitive free-to-play FPS market. However, the broader context of potential sale talks cannot be ignored.
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