During Ubisoft’s latest investor briefing this week, CEO Yves Guillemot was asked for his thoughts around Microsoft’s deal to buy Activision Blizzard, and he’s a fan. He said the deal helps show how valuable IP is. Not only that, but Guillemot said Microsoft looking to buy Activision Blizzard in part for its mobile game business with King and Candy Crush helps to validate Ubisoft’s own investments in the mobile market.
“I think it’s good news that the transaction can go through because it really shows the power of IPs, and where the industry is going. So there will be lots of opportunities in the future for all the companies,” he said. “It also shows the value of IPs that can be on console and PC, but also mobile and become more worldwide brands. That’s a fantastic opportunity. Microsoft is saying that the mobile part of the Activision deal is important. So all the investment we are making to be stronger on mobile is also in line with that.”
Some of Ubisoft’s upcoming mobile games include a new Assassin’s Creed game for Netflix, Assassin’s Creed Jade, Rainbow Six Mobile, and The Division: Resurgence.
In 2022, it was reported that multiple companies were studying Ubisoft, with the suggestion being that these unnamed companies might be interested in buying the company. However, no deal has ever materialized, and the Guillemot family remains Ubisoft’s biggest investor.
As for the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal, the companies recently agreed to extend the merger deadline to October 2023. The extension was due in part to the appeals process in the UK and Microsoft needing more time to make its case. In the US, Microsoft and Activision secured a partial victory recently in its battle with the FTC.
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