Ubisoft delar upp Assassin's Creed, Far Cry och Rainbow Six i Tencent-backed Unit

In a significant move, Ubisoft has announced that its major franchises — Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six — will be separated into a new entity, which will be supported by a hefty investment of €1.16 billion ($1.3 billion) from Chinese tech giant Tencent. This shift marks a strategic pivot for Ubisoft as the company grapples with financial troubles and looks to streamline its operations and focus its efforts on its biggest franchises.

The new unit will take charge of the teams currently working on these three franchises across multiple Ubisoft studios worldwide, including locations in Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Barcelona, and Sofia. A dedicated leadership team will oversee the unit's progress, with a focus on nurturing the development of these iconic titles. Ubisoft’s vision for the unit is ambitious: to boost the quality of narrative-driven solo experiences, expand multiplayer offerings, increase content releases, and integrate more social features into its games. The goal is to keep Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six fresh and engaging for players in the long term.

Tencent’s investment also means the company will now own a 25% stake in this new subsidiary, which is expected to be finalized by the end of 2025. For Ubisoft, this investment comes at a crucial time as the company has been struggling financially in recent years. Ubisoft has indicated that the funds will be used to pay off some of its existing debts and provide additional resources to support its other franchises. Some recent reports even suggested that Ubisoft had been in discussions with companies like Microsoft and Electronic Arts about possibly acquiring its major franchises.

While Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six will be the focal points of this new unit, it’s notable that several other beloved Ubisoft franchises, such as Just Dance, Rayman, Rabbids, and Watch Dogs, are not included in this new focus. Interestingly, the Tom Clancy series' other titles, like Ghost Recon and The Division, will also be part of the unit’s attention, ensuring that Ubisoft continues to nurture the development of its most prominent franchises. Whether this restructuring leads to improved financial health for Ubisoft or if it’s simply a stopgap measure remains to be seen, but the future of its iconic franchises is definitely taking a new shape under Tencent's backing.