A Ubisoft anunciou uma nova subsidiária com investimento da gigantesca TENCENT, focada em Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six e Far Cry. Essa subsidiária recebeu um investimento singelo de UM BILHÃO E CENTO E SESSENTA MILHÕES de euros.
Pois é.
O acordo com a Tencent ocorre após a Ubisoft explorar e avaliar diferentes opções estratégicas, conforme anunciado no início de 2025. Após uma análise cuidadosa de várias manifestações de interesse por parte de diferentes empresas, a Ubisoft determinou que essa transação oferece o melhor valor para seus ativos e aprovou a proposta hoje.
Esse acordo acontece depois do anúncio de que a Ubisoft estaria avaliando “opções estratégicas”, logo no começo desde ano. E depois de muito ouvir dos membros, acionistas e demais, a Ubisoft achou que esse investimento foi o melhor, aprovando a proposta ontem (27/03). Em paralelo ao paranauê todo, a Ubisoft se focará em “fomentar o desenvolvimento de franquias icônicas”, como Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon e The Division, acelerando o crescimento de seus títulos de maior sucesso e aproveitando tecnologias de ponta e fornecendo novidades de primeira para o mercado.
“Hoje a Ubisoft está abrindo um novo capítulo da sua história”, disse o co-fundador e CEO Yves Guillemot num press release. “Estamos acelerando a transformação da empresa e isso é um passo fundamental para mudar o modelo de operações da Ubisoft e vai nos permitir ser tanto ágeis quanto ambiciosos. Estamos focados em fazer ecossistemas de jogos fortes, projetados para serem marcas sempre novas, de alto desempenho, e criando novas Propriedades Intelectuais alimentadas por tecnologias emergentes e de ponta”
Todo esse lerolero corporativo significa que a Tencent hoje é dona de 25% da Ubisoft.
Você pode confirmar toda a transação aqui (em inglês):
Relationship between the new subsidiary and Ubisoft Entertainment
- The new subsidiary would include the teams developing the Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Assassin’s Creed, and Far Cry franchises based in Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Barcelona, and Sofia as well as the back-catalog and any new games currently under development or to be developed.
- The new subsidiary would be granted by Ubisoft a worldwide, exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual license in respect of the intellectual property and similar proprietary rights owned or licensable by Ubisoft in relation to Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Assassin’s Creed, and Far Cry in exchange for a royalty.
Main terms of the binding agreement with Tencent
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Tencent would invest in the new subsidiary which is headquartered in France and 100% owned by Ubisoft immediately prior to the transaction. Specifically, at closing of the transaction, Tencent would invest a total amount of EUR1.16bn for an approximate 25% economic interest in the New subsidiary, that will be used to strengthen Ubisoft’s balance sheet by significantly reducing its consolidated net debt position, accelerate the Group’s transformation, and sustain growth of selected franchises. After closing of the transaction, the new subsidiary would remain exclusively controlled and consolidated by Ubisoft.
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Conditions precedent to the transaction:
- Issuance of a fairness opinion from Finexsi acting as independent expert.
- Completion of the carve-out to create the new subsidiary.
- Obtention of the necessary regulatory clearances
- Ubisoft can unilaterally waive the issuance of the fairness opinion as a condition precedent.
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Completion of the transaction is expected before the end of 2025.
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The new subsidiary would have a dedicated leadership team, supervised by a Board of Directors, focused on enhancing creative vision and streamlining operations, with the authority to make swift, high-impact decisions across development, marketing, and distribution, to ensure these brands continue to evolve, attract new audiences, and deliver groundbreaking gaming experiences for years to come.
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Tencent would benefit from customary minority protection rights as well as certain consent rights on the disposals of the important new subsidiary assets.
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Other provisions in relation to Tencent’s shareholding in the New subsidiary notably include:
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A 5-year lock-up undertaking on New subsidiary shares held by Tencent, unless Ubisoft no longer owns a majority of New subsidiary voting rights and share capital.
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Ubisoft may not cease to hold a majority of New subsidiary voting rights and share capital for a 2-year period.
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Customary share transfer provisions, including, a right of first refusal to the benefit of Ubisoft, a right of first offer to the benefit of Tencent, tag-along right to the benefit of Tencent, and drag-along right to the benefit of Ubisoft (subject to certain conditions).
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Call option to the benefit of Ubisoft and put option to the benefit of Tencent in the event of certain change of control of Ubisoft approved by its Board of Directors—Exercise price will be the higher of (i) the fair market value of New subsidiary shares and (ii) the same EBIT multiple as that in the change of control transaction of Ubisoft; it being specified that for the call option there will be a specific minimum price protection during the first four years following closing of the transaction with Tencent.
