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[Rhazer Fusion]

Ubisoft bondit en Bourse, spéculations sur un rachat du géant des jeux vidéo

Le rachat annoncé lundi de l'éditeur de jeux vidéo Bethesda par Microsoft alimente la spéculation dans le secteur. Ubisoft fait figure de cible et pourrait être une proie pour Sony, Google, Amazon...,

www.capital.fr

Monday's announcement of Microsoft's takeover of video game publisher Bethesda is fuelling speculation in the industry. Ubisoft looks like a target and could be a prey for Sony, Google, Amazon...

The video game sector is booming. It must be said that the spectacular takeover, announced yesterday, of game publisher Bethesda Softworks, for 7.5 billion dollars in cash, by giant Microsoft has set fire to the powder keg! After having already been one of the few stocks to escape yesterday's general decline in the stock market, Ubisoft gained 3.38% to €75.26, one of the strongest increases in the SBF 120 index due to its status as a potential target. Ubisoft's stock is buoyed by speculation about its future as industry concentration continues. Indeed, after the acquisition of Bethesda, "what will be the reaction of Sony or even more so of Google or Amazon?" LCM wonders.

The research unit points out that targets of this size are very rare and Ubisoft is one of them. Bethesda has, according to it, around 3,000 employees, which makes it a medium-sized publisher compared to the 10,000 or so employees of Electronic Arts or the 18,000 employees of the Ubisoft group. However, Vivendi's last attempt to buy out Ubisoft was unsuccessful. However, companies like Google and Amazon have much greater financial power...

The article is in French, so I don’t know how accurate this translation(?) is, but according to the article there are rumors of a potential buyout for Ubisoft. I have my doubts, but this rumor seems like this popping up in a few places.

 

[wolywood]

If it's any of those three my money's on Amazon...they've already announced a Ubisoft channel for their Luna streaming service.

 

[Abriael_GN]

[URL unfurl = "true"] https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-...par-microsoft-alimente-la-speculation-1381073 [/ URL ]




The article is in French, so I don’t know how accurate this translation(?) is, but according to the article there are rumors of a potential buyout for Ubisoft. I have my doubts, but this rumor seems like this popping up in a few places.

This is from a week ago, and nothing happened.

It's just a journalist using their imagination to capitalize on the hubbub created by Bethesda's thing.

 

[GaviotaGrande]

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Doubt Sony has funds.

But since Ubi has ruined all their franchises with samey yearly releases, they could be going for much cheaper, for all I know.

 

[SupremeHoodie]

Damn if Microsoft just said fuck it and bought Ubisoft that would shake the industry. I think it would go to court. It wouldn’t be a smooth acquisition at all.

 

[lastmessiah]

Not sure Amazon would be interested in buying publishers.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

This is from a week ago, and nothing happened.

It's just a journalist using their imagination to capitalize on the hubbub created by Bethesda's thing.

I see. First time I’ve seen or even heard about it. IF this is true, then I’m not sure an acquisition from Amazon or Google would be beneficial for Ubisoft especially in the long term. Not saying I want Sony to buy them, but even with presumably less money offered, I think Sony’s or possibly Microsoft’s strategy and structure would offer more stability to them.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

Out of all the companies listed, I heard Ubisoft had a special channel dedicated to Luna.

 

[Kenpachii]

Ubisoft is worth 6,4 billion from what i read.

Personally not a fan of them being bought out as i like the anno series and wish it would stick on PC forever as main platform.

 

[Yoboman]

Ew

I really hope we don't see a bunch of consolidation like this

 

[fermcr]

What if it's Microsoft after Ubisoft...

They did say they are after more studios.

 

[alstrike]

Doubt Sony has funds.

But since Ubi has ruined all their franchises with samey yearly releases, they could be going for much cheaper, for all I know.

Dude, don't peddle that shit here.

 

[FranXico]

Damn if Microsoft just said fuck it and bought Ubisoft that would shake the industry. I think it would go to court. It wouldn’t be a smooth acquisition at all.

If the authotities didn't pay any heed to the Zenimax acquisition, they're not going to do anything about Ubisoft either.

 

[Leyasu]

I don't believe this.

 

[IfuckinghateReddit]

MiCrOsOfT iS bUyInG sEgA oN wEdNeSdAy

 

[Warablo]

Fucking hell, I'd rather Sony or Microsoft buy them than some other giant trying to squeeze into the equation.

 

[yurinka]

Ubisoft just support any random gaming platform that appears. Regarding game streaming platforms, Ubisoft has games on PS Now, Stadia, GeForce Now, Luna and I assume xCloud too. They support all of them, in the same way they support the PC, mobile an all consoles.

Ubisoft supporting Luna is in line with their behaviour, they support everything. It doesn't mean Amazon will buy them or something like that.

Doubt Sony has funds.

Sony has money, but Ubisoft wants to remain independent and Sony doesn't need to buy them.

They aren't desperate like Microsoft: in the recent years Sony has been breaking many all time gaming history records selling consoles, selling games, selling game subsciptions for both game download and game streaming and premium VR. They are clear market leaders on all these fronts, so don't need to buy huge publishers. They already have a great 3rd party support, and have marketing deals or timed console exclusives with most of the key ones. As always, if Sony buys someone very likely will be some dev studio who already did work in the past with them multiple times. Someone like Kojipro, Quantic Dreams, Bluepoint or Housemarque.

Damn if Microsoft just said fuck it and bought Ubisoft that would shake the industry. I think it would go to court. It wouldn’t be a smooth acquisition at all.

If the authotities didn't pay any heed to the Zenimax acquisition, they're not going to do anything about Ubisoft either.

Even with Zenimax and Ubisoft, MS would be a small portion of the gaming market. Mobile market is way bigger than the console market. And even if we look at the console market only, they still would be a smaller portions. The court/authorities won't say anything about the Zenimax purchase, and wouldn't say anything about an Ubisoft purchase.

 

[Deleted member 775630]

More likely Amazon, and if this is the case Sony must really start buying studios too. No Bethesda and no ubisoft games on the PS5 might become an issue

 

[FranXico]

Microsoft is buying EVERYONE. But at least the games will come out on PC, so a monopoly is ok.

 

[Hudo]

The absolute state of the industry... Michel Ancel left Ubi and no one seemed to give a shit, certainly not shareholders but some bullshit rumor, likely started by some Twitters, about someone buying Ubi and everyone goes nuts.

 

[Paulistano]

.

 

[longdi]

Shit, obviously Amazon here.
Unless Phil has gone mad???

 

[DavidGzz]

Amazon better put games on Steam/Epic if they are the buyers. Fuck streaming being the only way to play Ubisoft games in the future.

 

[bender]

This opens up the possibility of a bizarre-o universe where Kojima directs the next Splinter Cell.

 

[Gaelyon]

Well last time Ubisoft was threatened by a takeover from Vivendi, Yves Guillemot was upset and very combative against it. I'm pretty sure he'll won't give up whithout a fight. Remember that Ubisoft is still owned by the founders (Guillemot brothers) since 1986.

 

[Fulcizombie]

Ubisoft is a very hard target for anyone, they have tens of thousands of employees and depend way too much on multiplatform development, more than Bethesda capcom e.t.c Same with companies like EA and Activision.

 

[T-Cake]

Well last time Ubisoft was threatened by a takeover from Vivendi, Yves Guillemot was upset and very combative against it. I'm pretty sure he'll won't give up whithout a fight. Remember that Ubisoft is still owned by the founders (Guillemot brothers) since 1986.

I wouldn't be surprised if he (Yves) is not sick and tired of all this behaviour that's been going. He may just decide it's time for retirement and be looking to sell up now.

 

[FunkMiller]

I’d honestly prefer Amazon to anyone else. Don’t want Msft having too much. Somebody needs to buy that bunch out that bunch of arseholes and make a lot of changes anyway.

 

[Compsiox]

I’d honestly prefer Amazon to anyone else. Don’t want Msft having too much. Somebody needs to buy that bunch out that bunch of arseholes and make a lot of changes anyway.

Amazon hasn't put out anything worth playing from the studios they already have. I bet they'd fuck up these studios even if they are "premade".

 

[FunkMiller]

Amazon hasn't put out anything worth playing from the studios they already have. I bet they'd fuck up these studios even if they are "premade".

Whereas Msft have done a bang up job with their studios in the past

Amazon have barely made any effort so far in gaming. Luna changes that, and while I don’t think a major buy out is likely, it’s healthier for Ubisoft to go to a different company.

 

[HE1NZ]

I don't want Ubisoft being bought. They're good as they are.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Dude, don't peddle that shit here.

it would'nt be impossible for Sony to arrange funds, they wouldnt appear in a snap either.

Competing in buying multi billion $ companies is not a viable strategy either for Sony or MS

 

[jigglet]

All I care about is R6 Siege so from that perspective, MS would be the best custodian. They really care about PC gaming so I guess that's who I'm rooting for.

 

[Compsiox]

Whereas Msft have done a bang up job with their studios in the past

Amazon have barely made any effort so far in gaming. Luna changes that, and while I don’t think a major buy out is likely, it’s healthier for Ubisoft to go to a different company.

I didn't say they should get bought by Microsoft. I just said Amazon isn't good for them.

 

[jigglet]

I don't want Ubisoft being bought. They're good as they are.

Disagree. With even a small 5% investment from Tencent, we've seen them do some really bad shit...that censoring fiasco with R6 Siege, removing the #standwithHK WatchDogs 3 poster at Beijing's request...and that's just 5%, god knows how bad it'll be if it ever creeps up. Any move away from Chinese money is a good direction in my books.

 

[FunkMiller]

I didn't say they should get bought by Microsoft. I just said Amazon isn't good for them.

I disagree simply because Ubisoft is a shitshow of a company that’s been crapping out dull, repetitive games for years, led by a bunch of absolute shit heels. Frankly, if they got bought out by KFC it’d be an improvement.

 

[Wizz-Art]

Whereas Msft have done a bang up job with their studios in the past

Amazon have barely made any effort so far in gaming. Luna changes that, and while I don’t think a major buy out is likely, it’s healthier for Ubisoft to go to a different company.

Checks out.

 

[HE1NZ]

Disagree. With even a small 5% investment from Tencent, we've seen them do some really bad shit...that censoring fiasco with R6 Siege, removing the #standwithHK WatchDogs 3 poster at Beijing's request...and that's just 5%, god knows how bad it'll be if it ever creeps up. Any move away from Chinese money is a good direction in my books.

Well let somebody else buy that 5% share. But whole buyout will ruin Ubi.

 

[jigglet]

Well let somebody else buy that 5% share. But whole buyout will ruin Ubi.

Can't disagree with that. Sure, that works for me I guess.

 

[ToadMan]

Ew

I really hope we don't see a bunch of consolidation like this

That was my feeling in the immediate aftermath of the Zenimax deal and on top of the acquisitions MS had previously made - it would trigger a period of consolidation.

That’s usually the way it goes when a single player makes big inroads into a market - competitors form up on the other side for fear of getting squeezed out.

As it stands you’ve got MS now taking a more direct position opposite Sony, Acti, EA, Ubi, Epic, Sega, Nintendo and even Amazon and Google - that’s the position MS have put themselves in - fighting for market share on multiple fronts and doubling down on an industry they’ve failed to breakthrough in previously. Theres a lot of risk to MS in this and there’s still the potential for major moves to be made to counter their efforts.

I think MS is making a mistake - I don’t mean for Xbox, I mean for MS as a whole, by putting more cash into game studios and properties - it’s not their core business, the market isn’t high profit margin and they haven’t been successful in the industry to date. It put me off buying MS shares last week when I was looking to pull the trigger, and they had dipped another percent or so on the Zenimax deal announcement.

MS should be done with video game acquisitions - they need to show income from these moves and quickly. I don’t think they’ll be able to hide Xbox division financials going forward - Zenimax is about 15% of MS on hand cash that could’ve been spent reducing debt or increasing dividends. They need gamepass and these studio acquisitions to start showing a profit going forward for these moves to make sense to investors

For the rest, let’s see. I don’t think Sony would look at Ubi but Amazon might to make a splash for their new platform.

Curious if Apple might try to increase their position in some way.

Epic are in an interesting position - will their work with Sony go further? And what about Steam? Where do they go in this market place?

There’s quite a lot of questions to ask if companies decide to jump on the game rentals bandwagon. To be honest I think any company seriously spending money on this is going the wrong way. But the hype train can lead people to irrational decisions.

 

[FunkMiller]

Checks out.

Yes. Someone dumped that on me a while ago because I was critical of something Msft we’re doing at the time, even though I’m not a console warrior. Frustrating.

Mod of War - is there any chance I can get my member tag changed? I’m pretty even handed when it comes to criticising or commending the console manufacturers. My posts reflect that.

 

[hyperbertha]

Well let somebody else buy that 5% share. But whole buyout will ruin Ubi.

Ubi can't really get much worse.

 

[Jaguar Victory]

Hahaha. Please Amazon buy Ubi and make it Luna exclusive. It would be interesting to watch the carnage as Luna remains unused and Amazon sells for 30c on the dollar to someone better suited to manage it.

 

[sircaw]

Yes. Someone dumped that on me a while ago because I was critical of something Msft we’re doing at the time, even though I’m not a console warrior. Frustrating.

Mod of War - is there any chance I can get my member tag changed? I’m pretty even handed when it comes to criticising or commending the console manufacturers. My posts reflect that.

I can second that, he is an equal opportunity scumbag

don't hate me, i could not control myself.

 

[jigglet]

Ubi can't really get much worse.

Yes they fucking can. If you've kept up to date with how they've bent the knee to China then you'd understand the bottom of the barrel is far from within sight. They can go lower, my god can they go lower. What they tried to do with Siege was a kick to the balls of the highest magnitude.

 

[Flintty]

Amazon better put games on Steam/Epic if they are the buyers. Fuck streaming being the only way to play Ubisoft games in the future.

Exactly this. If either Amazon or Google buy Ubi, streaming only will not be sustainable so they’d either have to go multiplat or enter the hardware market.

I don’t think there’s room for more than three players in the hardware market, so if it’s streaming only, we need to vote with our wallets. Fuck that shit. Streaming should be an option, not the only way to play.

 

[jigglet]

Streaming should be an option, not the only way to play.

This man gets it. That's why MS has the best solution - client-based first, streaming as an optional extra.

 

[The_Mike]

Sony players after reading Sony might take over Ubisoft:

 

[Fox Mulder]

It’s only a matter of time until Google or Amazon starts buying up companies for their streaming services. They’ll need exclusives just like with tv shows.