Vivendi now owns 25% of Ubisoft, nearing 30% needed for hostile takeover
Media company Vivendi has been trying to stage a hostile takeover of French game maker Ubisoft all year. Recently they increased their stake in the company to 25%. This also means they control 22% of the voting rights for Ubisoft.
This is something that a lot of the people at Ubisoft reportedly don’t want to happen as the company was hoping to stay mostly independent. The Guillemot family, who founded Ubisoft, have said many times they don’t want to sell the company to Vivendi.
Once Vivendi gains 30% ownership it’s very likely they will make a bigger push and completely take it over, as French law requires a mandatory takeover once a party hits 30% ownership.
Ubisoft may have a hit and miss record with game releases lately but I appreciate that they try. I would be concerned about their smaller franchises, like Rayman and Beyond Good and Evil, should a company like Vivendi take over. Sadly it looks like the Guillemot family is losing control over this situation.
