Ubisoft is currently considering the establishment of a new company aimed at attracting investors by focusing on the sale of its flagship franchises, including the renowned Assassin's Creed series. According to a recent Bloomberg report, Ubisoft has initiated discussions with potential investors, including tech giant Tencent, as well as various international and French investment funds. The anticipated market value of this new entity is projected to surpass Ubisoft's existing market capitalization of $1.8 billion.
However, the plan remains in the discussion phase, and Ubisoft may decide to abandon it altogether. The decision hinges largely on the performance of their upcoming release, Assassin's Creed Shadows, which the company views with great anticipation. Ubisoft has reported that pre-orders for the game are progressing steadily, signaling potential success.
Amidst these developments, Ubisoft faces another controversy in Japan concerning the portrayal of religious elements in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Takeshi Nagase, a member of both the Kobe City Council and the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly, has publicly criticized Ubisoft for what he perceives as disrespectful depictions of religious themes. Specifically, Nagase has taken issue with the game's protagonist being able to attack monks within temples and shoot arrows at these sacred structures. Furthermore, he has expressed strong disapproval of the portrayal of the Engyō-ji temple in Himeji, where the character Yasuke is depicted entering with dirty shoes and damaging a sacred mirror.
