By Ubisoft has been celebrating the success that Assassin’s Creed Shadows achieved at its debut in March, and this positive trend continues in the company’s most recent financial report. Additionally, it appears that plans to establish a new Tencent-supported subsidiary, effectively another Ubisoft, are “advancing steadily.”
CEO Yves Guillemot noted “varied conditions across our portfolio, amid fierce competition in the industry” in the company’s FY25 earnings announcement. The firm is reporting net bookings “slightly under” its target, and while it may be tempting to attribute this to the disappointing Star Wars Outlaws performance, Ubisoft claims the decline is “mainly due to lower than anticipated partnerships, particularly influenced by timing.”
“Recognizing the hurdles ahead, we have undertaken decisive measures to bolster the company’s future,” Guillemot stated. “The launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows was a pivotal moment. It highlighted the strength of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from both veteran fans and newcomers.”
In March, Ubisoft revealed that Shadows represented the second-largest launch in Assassin’s Creed history, second only to Valhalla – launched during the Covid pandemic when gamers were eager for immersive experiences. In today’s announcement, the company explicitly states that Shadows has “significantly surpassed Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.”
Shortly after the debut of Shadows, Ubisoft revealed plans for a Tencent-backed new subsidiary aimed at leading development for upcoming Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six titles. This can be viewed as a continuation of Ubisoft’s legacy, taking charge of its most significant franchises.
In the recent statement, Guillemot mentioned that this marks a “significant advancement” in what is anticipated to be a “deep transformation” for the organization. “Aimed at fostering the expansion of three of our most renowned IPs,” he elaborated, “this new subsidiary will be crucial in creating enduring, billion-euro brand ecosystems. We are making consistent progress towards completing the transaction by year-end, a vital milestone that will fully relieve the company’s financial obligations and position us for sustainable, long-term growth.”
Additionally, the company intends to “extend development time for several of our most anticipated titles.” This suggests that the delay with Shadows proved fruitful, leading to postponements for other high-profile games. The only query now is which upcoming Ubisoft titles will be impacted.
There’s even more in store regarding the Assassin’s Creed Shadows roadmap.