A PYMNTS Company

France: Vivendi backs away from Ubisoft takeover

By  |  March 22, 2018

French media company Vivendi is selling its stake in Ubisoft for €2 billion (US$2.45 billion) to investors including Chinese tech titan Tencent, ending a potential takeover battle for the French video games maker.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Vivendi, which had been raising its holding in Ubisoft since 2015, has agreed to sell its 27.3% stake in the company which is best known for its Assassin’s Creed and South Park games.

    Tencent Holdings Ltd, which dominates China’s mobile gaming market, is investing almost €370 million (US$455.1 million) for a 5% stake, while the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is spending €250 million (US$307.5 million) for a 3.4% stake.

    Ubisoft and Tencent will also form a strategic partnership to boost Ubisoft’s reach into China, the world’s largest video game market with estimated sales of US$32.5 billion last year, according to data from gaming consultancy Newzoo.

    Vivendi’s stake-building since 2015 had prompted Ubisoft’s founding Guillemot family to court Canadian investors to fend off any hostile takeover.

    Full Content: South China Morning Post

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.