Biggest Franchises, Including Assassins Creed
In a significant corporate restructuring following a major investment from Chinese conglomerate Tencent, Ubisoft has announced the formation of “Vantage Studios,” a new creative house that will now oversee some of its most valuable franchises. The move places iconic series like Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry under a new management structure.
The announcement confirms the tangible impact of Tencent’s $1.25 billion investment for a 25% stake in Ubisoft earlier this year. Vantage Studios will be led by co-CEOs Charlie Guillemot and Christophe Derennes and will incorporate several of Ubisoft’s existing development studios across Montreal, Quebec, Barcelona, and Sofia.
According to Ubisoft’s official statement, Vantage Studios aims to “facilitate stronger and deeper connections between developers and players” and create a “shorter pathway between gathering and implementing player feedback.” This suggests a potential shift toward more live-service and community-driven development approaches for these flagship franchises.
The restructuring comes after a challenging period for Ubisoft, which saw several high-profile cancellations and the commercial disappointment of Skull and Bones, reportedly developed with a budget of $850 million. Tencent’s investment occurred when Ubisoft’s stock values reached “historic lows,” providing the Chinese company significant influence over the publisher’s future direction.
While the announcement contains typical corporate language about improved player connections, the practical implications point toward Tencent exerting more direct influence over Ubisoft’s most valuable intellectual properties. The gaming community has expressed mixed reactions, with some concerned about Tencent’s growing influence across the industry, while others hope the change might revitalize franchises that have struggled with innovation in recent years.
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For now, the specific changes to game development under Vantage Studios remain unclear. Players will likely need to wait for the studio’s first major announcements to understand how this corporate restructuring will affect the future of Assassin’s Creed and other beloved Ubisoft franchises.