Assassin's Creed Shadows was released this month. Ubisoft
Chinese tech giant Tencent has made a €1.2 billion ($1.25 billion) investment in a newly formed Ubisoft subsidiary, securing a 25% stake in the new business. Ubisoft, the French gaming company behind Assassin’s Creed, will retain the remaining ownership of the entity, valued at around €4 billion.
Ubisoft’s Major Franchises Under New Unit
The new unit will oversee some of Ubisoft’s most popular franchises, including:
🎮 Assassin’s Creed
🎮 Far Cry
🎮 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six
With this investment, Tencent strengthens its position in the global gaming market while Ubisoft refocuses on other major titles like Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon and The Division.
A Strategic Partnership
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot described the move as a “new chapter” for the company. Meanwhile, Tencent’s President Martin Lau expressed excitement about deepening their partnership with Ubisoft.
This deal cements Tencent as Ubisoft’s second-largest shareholder, with its overall stake just under 10%. Tencent, known for its dominance in gaming and digital services—including the popular messaging app WeChat—continues to expand its influence in the gaming world.
Ubisoft’s Financial Struggles and Tencent’s Opportunity
Ubisoft has faced financial challenges in recent years, with its market value dropping due to delayed game releases and declining sales. However, the recent launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows gave the company’s stock a much-needed boost.
Despite its success, the Assassin’s Creed series has faced delays, and Star Wars Outlaws failed to meet expectations. These struggles have raised concerns about Ubisoft’s management.
Gaming analyst Shannon Liao believes this situation created a golden opportunity for Tencent. “Ubisoft has iconic games, but they haven’t been performing well. For Tencent, this is a chance to cash in on franchises that still have strong gamer loyalty,” she said.
Assassin’s Creed: A Billion-Dollar Franchise
Since its debut, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has sold over 200 million copies worldwide. Ubisoft’s financial reports indicate that between 2014 and 2024, the franchise generated €4 billion in revenue.
With Tencent now holding a significant stake in Ubisoft’s new gaming division, the company is poised to expand its reach in Western markets and capitalize on Ubisoft’s globally recognized gaming brands.
