Ubisoft is currently exploring a strategic move to create a new company that would focus on its key franchises, notably Assassin's Creed. According to Bloomberg, the studio is considering selling a stake in this new entity and has initiated discussions with potential investors, including tech giant Tencent and various international and French investment funds. The projected market value of this new venture is expected to surpass Ubisoft's current market capitalization of $1.8 billion.
However, the plan remains in the discussion phase, and Ubisoft has not yet made a final decision. The success of this venture heavily depends on the performance of their upcoming release, Assassin's Creed Shadows, which Ubisoft reports is seeing steady pre-order numbers. The outcome of this game's launch could significantly influence the company's decision on whether to proceed with the new entity.
These developments are unfolding amidst controversy in Japan concerning Assassin's Creed Shadows. Takeshi Nagase, a member of both the Kobe City Council and the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly, has publicly criticized Ubisoft's depiction of religious themes in the game. Nagase finds it offensive that the game allows players to attack monks in temples or shoot arrows at sacred buildings. He specifically pointed out the portrayal of the famous Engyō-ji temple in Himeji, where the character Yasuke is shown entering with dirty shoes and destroying a sacred mirror, which Nagase finds deeply disrespectful.
