Tencent Pumps $1.25bn into Ubisoft’s New Subsidiary; Eyes on Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six
Tencent, one of the world’s largest Internet companies, has announced a gigantic $1.25 billion investment in Ubisoft’s new subsidiary. This comes as part of a concerted strategic drive by the Chinese conglomerate to expand its holdings in the popular and profitable gaming industry. Tencent’s investment sights are firmly set on three of Ubisoft’s most popular franchises – Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.
This investment is sure to bring a windfall of resources for the French video game company, Ubisoft. With this backing, the firm can explore new avenues for these franchises, potentially developing new versions, spin-offs, or even full-scale sequels that could serve to further extend these already-popular series.
Tencent’s focus on these three franchises – Assassin’s Creed, far Cry, and Rainbow Six - is no accident. These series have proven to be some of Ubisoft’s most successful properties, with millions of units sold globally. As such, they present a valuable opportunity for Tencent to boost its presence in the gaming industry and solidify its status as a notable player.
Assassin’s Creed is a ancient fiction action-adventure series that spans multiple instalments, each set in a different historical period. The Far Cry series is known for its first-person shooter gameplay coupled with exploration and adventure elements.Conversely, Rainbow Six is a tactical shooting franchise based on Tom Clancy’s bestselling novel, focusing on strategic gameplay and realistic combat. Each series offers its unique appeal and draw to different segments of the gaming audience, thereby providing Tencent access to a broad and diverse gaming demographic.
Moreover, the games also have a substantial following in Tencent’s home market of China. The popularity of these franchises amongst Chinese gamers is a promising sign that Tencent’s investment could potentially yield significant returns. As Tencent continues to invest in gaming companies worldwide, it is indeed evident that its pursuits extend far beyond gaining economic profit, they are also striving to influence the global gaming landscape and culture.
This Ubisoft deal comes on the tails of a series of investments in video game companies by Tencent. In recent years, the Chinese giant has made significant investments in noteworthy gaming companies, such as Riot Games (League of Legends), Epic Games (Fortnite), and Supercell (Clash of Clans), among others.
Tencent’s $1.25 billion investment in Ubisoft’s new subsidiary represents a strategic move by the internet giant, aimed at cementing its position in the global gaming market. By focusing on popular franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, Tencent hopes to capitalize on their existing popularity and further penetrate the lucrative gaming industry. The gaming community, especially fans of these franchises, will undoubtedly wait with bated breath to see what exciting developments this mega-deal will bring.