Ubisoft supports Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Ubisoft supports Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Ubisoft CEO Gives Thumbs-Up to Microsoft’s Activision Deal
In a stunning turn of events, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has come forward to shower praise on Microsoft’s impending acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The long-awaited deal, which has faced regulatory scrutiny and legal roadblocks along the way, is finally on the cusp of realization.
From the get-go, Microsoft’s pursuit of Activision drew intense attention from global regulatory authorities like the FTC, EU, and the CMA. These watchdogs embarked on their own investigations, with the EU being the first to greenlight the deal, albeit with some caveats. Conversely, the CMA opted to block the deal, while the FTC took a similar stance and even sued Microsoft. Despite these formidable challenges, Microsoft managed to secure approval in the US, with the CMA now working towards a resolution with the tech giant. With everything falling into place, Ubisoft’s CEO couldn’t hide his enthusiasm, proclaiming the deal as a boon for the industry.
Speaking at an investor briefing, Guillemot lauded Microsoft and Activision’s impending union as “good news.” He emphasized that it not only showcased the power of intellectual properties (IPs) but also provided insight into the industry’s future trajectory. He highlighted the value of IPs across various platforms, including PC, console, and mobile. Guillemot also expressed Microsoft’s keen interest in the mobile gaming sector and assured that Ubisoft is equally aligned with this vision.
It’s no wonder that Guillemot is such a strong advocate for IPs, especially since Ubisoft appears to be going all-in on its highly popular Assassin’s Creed franchise. Rumors suggest that the company is currently working on a staggering lineup of 11 Assassin’s Creed games spanning different platforms, including mobile and VR. This aligns with earlier reports of Ubisoft expanding its Assassin’s Creed development team, which seemed perplexing at the time. However, with the scope of their projects now coming to light, the decision makes perfect sense. Additionally, Ubisoft has already made strides in the mobile arena with Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade and the recently revealed mobile RPG based on the hit comic and Amazon show Invincible. This shift in focus is likely a response to the cancellation of seven games last year due to lackluster financial performance.
Guillemot’s endorsement of the Microsoft-Activision deal echoes the sentiments of Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, who expressed his approval last year. Zelnick believes the acquisition will expand the user base and ultimately benefit the market as a whole. He also emphasized that this consolidation will have no bearing on the market for Take-Two’s IPs, as consumer preferences still reign supreme.
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This latest development certainly bodes well for the industry. With Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision set in motion, the gaming landscape is about to witness a seismic shift. As players, we can eagerly anticipate what this powerhouse collaboration will bring to the table – more blockbuster games, exciting innovations, and above all, countless hours of joy-filled adventures.
Source: GameSpot
