Ubisoft Faces Shareholder Protest Over Acquisition Talks

A minority shareholder in Ubisoft, AJ Investments, plans a protest outside the company's Paris headquarters. They accuse Ubisoft of failing to disclose alleged acquisition discussions with Microsoft, EA, and other publishers, citing mismanagement and declining shareholder value. AJ Investments CEO Juraj Krúpa alleges Ubisoft is hiding information, including a reported Assassin's Creed Mirage DLC partnership with the Saudi investment firm Savvy Group, and discussions about the sale of Ubisoft IPs, as reported by MergerMarket.

Krúpa points to the repeated delays of Assassin's Creed, impacting stock prices and disproportionately harming retail investors. He claims these delays were predictable and benefited larger institutional investors. He also criticizes the lack of communication with shareholders regarding strategic options, including a financial review reportedly underway with Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan.

AJ Investments is urging other frustrated investors to join the May protest, stating it will be called off only if the strategic review demonstrably enhances shareholder value. The firm also threatens legal action against Ubisoft for allegedly misleading investors.

This isn't AJ Investment's first public action. In September, they issued an open letter to Ubisoft's board, including CEO Yves Guillemot and Tencent, expressing dissatisfaction with the company's performance and share price, urging leadership changes and considering a sale. This followed the disappointing release of Star Wars Outlaws and a subsequent share price plunge.

Ubisoft has yet to comment on these allegations.

What's Ubisoft's Best Open-World Game?

Pick a winner