First, Star Wars: Outlaws, and then Assassin’s Creed Shadows… The negative outcomes Ubisoft has experienced, particularly in the past six months, have led the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors to launch a company-wide investigation.
Star Wars Outlaws failed to meet expectations, resulting in significant financial losses for the company. Meanwhile, Assassin’s Creed Shadows had already been one of the most hotly debated topics in the gaming world for some time. Unfortunately, due to the criticism directed at the game, Ubisoft announced that it had to delay AC: Shadows as well. Thus, in 2024, Ubisoft faced considerable setbacks, both financially and in terms of its reputation. Here’s what the official statement says:
“In the light of recent challenges, we acknowledge the need for greater efficiency while delighting players. As a result, beyond the first important short-term actions undertaken, the Executive Committee, under the supervision of the Board of Directors, is launching a review aimed at further improving our execution, notably in this player-centric approach, and accelerating our strategic path towards a higher performing model to the benefit of our stakeholders and shareholders. Finally, let me address some of the polarized comments around Ubisoft lately. I want to reaffirm that we are an entertainment-first company, creating games for the broadest possible audience, and our goal is not to push any specific agenda. We remain committed to creating games for fans and players that everyone can enjoy.”
At the time of the announcement, Ubisoft’s stock, already on the decline, dropped even further to €11.42. With the failures of the two mentioned games, Ubisoft’s share price is now at its lowest in the past decade. There is, however, a sense that Ubisoft is beginning to take action toward a general recovery. It appears that it will take some time for the company to regain players’ loyalty and put its finances back in order, as it once did.
We’ll continue to keep you updated on this situation.
