Crispy™ Ubisoft threatened with activist investor coup attempt

[Hellraiser]

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/an...unders-so-ubisoft-can-lay-more-developers-off

In the letter (via GamesIndustry.biz) Juraj Krupa of Sloakian hedgefund AJ Investments and Partners cites the delaying of future instalments of Rainbow Six: Siege and The Division together with a lowered revenue outlook for Q2 2024 as cause for shareholder upset, noting that Ubisoft's share price has fallen by over 40% since last year. Accordingly, Krupa wants the board to "take Ubisoft private or allow it to sell to strategic investor", who will "get new air into" Ubisoft's videogames by, amongst other things, carrying out a bunch of layoffs. They're giving the board 60 days to reply.

AJ Investments are even now talking to other shareholders with a view to overthrowing the Guillemots. They're going to "use the French minority law to collect enough shareholders to start a proxy fight and initiate SALE PROCESS of Ubisoft to increase shareholder value for all shareholders". In particular, Krupa is calling for long-term CEO Yves Guillemot to be given the boot.

UbiShit won't get better regardless who wins, but I figure this corporate spat will provide for some interesting leaks or butthurt and possible lawsuits/court drama (due to butthurt). Anyway place your bets!

 

[NecroLord]

Nothingburger, at least until we see some lawsuits being thrown around.

 

[Hellraiser]

Nothingburger, at least until we see some lawsuits being thrown around.

Depends how many investors they already talked with and got on board. Take note that their stock price fell hard as the article mentioned so there are bound to be disgruntled shareholders who they can persuade to their side. If the price wasn't down 40% in 12 months I would agree with your post, but as it is it seems there's plenty of motivation for the other shareholders to ally against the current board, especially if they believe cashing out by making the company go private-owned is their best bet to recoup their losses on the stock. Do not underestimate the urge to make a quick buck from these people, especially if they're already nervous about the current stock value.

These kind of letters and threats usually aren't thrown around without some prior checks and getting some co-conspirators first. Then again the guy doing it isn't exactly someone with a long history of this sort of thing.

 

[Morgoth]

"activist investor"

Definitely Guillotine.

 

[Elttharion]

Dont worry, the game with the black gay samurai will save Ubisoft.

 

[The Brazilian Slaughter]

I wonder if the Activist Investors can get some of that Blackrock/Vanguard cash on their side...

 

[ind33d]

Dont worry, the game with the black gay samurai will save Ubisoft.

the entire nation of Japan should pool its money to buy 51% stake in Ubi and shut down the company