Decline meh Ubisoft (Ubi fuckery general thread)

[Tyranicon]

 

[Elttharion]

Ubisoft’s Board is Launching an Investigation Into The Company​

It has been announced that Ubisoft’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors will launch an investigation and review of the company.

The news came via a company financial statement and update, which included the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the announcement that Star Wars Outlaws underperformed. The statement read,

“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 writing, Ubisoft stock has decreased to 11.42 euros and has drastically fallen these past few months. Last month, Insider Gaming reported that XDefiant was at risk of losing its much-needed post-launch support after dwindling player numbers and following the release of a mild Star Wars: Outlaws launch, Ubisoft’s stock price fell to a near 10-year low.

Speaking with current and former Ubisoft employees, I am told that the move was inevitable and “the writing was on the wall,” as many Ubisoft studios have been struggling due to poor management. While I have reported on some of these issues in the past, Insider Gaming will have a more in-depth report in the coming days or weeks.

Source

 

[Baron Dupek]

The lawyers are currently climbing a tower to unlock the first part of the documents.

 

[ind33d]

Ubisoft’s Board is Launching an Investigation Into The Company​

It has been announced that Ubisoft’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors will launch an investigation and review of the company.

The news came via a company financial statement and update, which included the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the announcement that Star Wars Outlaws underperformed. The statement read,

“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 writing, Ubisoft stock has decreased to 11.42 euros and has drastically fallen these past few months. Last month, Insider Gaming reported that XDefiant was at risk of losing its much-needed post-launch support after dwindling player numbers and following the release of a mild Star Wars: Outlaws launch, Ubisoft’s stock price fell to a near 10-year low.

Speaking with current and former Ubisoft employees, I am told that the move was inevitable and “the writing was on the wall,” as many Ubisoft studios have been struggling due to poor management. While I have reported on some of these issues in the past, Insider Gaming will have a more in-depth report in the coming days or weeks.

Source

at this point the most rational explanation is that Ubisoft is a money-laundering operation run by NERV

 

[911 Jumper]

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.”

This bit is interesting. It suggests they've taken the criticism into the consideration. Perhaps, it'll result in some kind of clear out, elimination of DEI initiatives, etc. as part of the new strategy. Whatever happens, I think Ubisoft's situation, like Concord, is another warning to the wider industry.

The only Ubisoft games I liked were its techno thriller games [Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, and Ghost Recon]. At some point during the seventh gen, Ubisoft started to turn into an Assassin's Creed and casual game garbage producing factory and that's what it has mostly been ever since.

 

[rumSaint]

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.”

This bit is interesting. It suggests they've taken the criticism into the consideration. Perhaps, it'll result in some kind of clear out, elimination of DEI initiatives, etc. as part of the new strategy. Whatever happens, I think Ubisoft's situation, like Concord, is another warning to the wider industry.

The only Ubisoft games I liked were its techno thriller games [Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, and Ghost Recon]. At some point during the seventh gen, Ubisoft started to turn into an Assassin's Creed and casual game garbage producing factory and that's what it has mostly been ever since.

They will spew any bullshit to save their hide. What actually they have released lately?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ubisoft_games:_2020–present

Nothing interesting apparently. Only rehashes and sequels of established IPs, but everything was packed with micro and more and more woke. Of course endless streams of Ass Creed and Rainbow Six Siege content with wheelchair operator, lmao.

Nothing speaks to these fucks as strong as money. Outlaws underperformed, good. Ass Creed Gangsta Edition is on the same path. They probably moved it to next year so they can take a money hit in 2025, hoping not to tank their stock even more, but Ubi is totally creatively bankrupt. They just regurgitate same games all the time. Even Outlaws could be a good game. There were tons of great games from Star Wars universe, with way waaay better stories than movies. They just went for low hanging fruit here. Shitty stealth, strong wahmen, and of course mandatory mascot. Holy crap, it's so bad.

 

[Fedora Master]

The company needs to be burned to the ground and its employees barred from ever working in the industry again.

 

[Gerrard]

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.”

This bit is interesting. It suggests they've taken the criticism into the consideration. Perhaps, it'll result in some kind of clear out, elimination of DEI initiatives, etc. as part of the new strategy. Whatever happens, I think Ubisoft's situation, like Concord, is another warning to the wider industry.

It's very interesting considering shit like this is on their main website
https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/social-impact/supporting-social-causes

 

[Naraya]

Ubisoft shares plunge 20% after Assassin’s Creed Shadows delay.

With lower estimates for the quarter and the year at large, Ubisoft shares have fallen significantly as a result. They’ve been steadily declining since February 2021, down from €85.15 ($94.98) per share to €9.08 ($10.13) per share at the time of writing.

Since September 2019, Ubisoft’s share price has fallen by 86.5%. In the past five days, shares have declined by 29.3%.

Deus Vult?

 

[Necrensha]

https://www.stjv.fr/en/2024/09/call...bisoft-entities-on-october-15-16-and-17-2024/

Perfect timing, french Ubisoft employees going on a strike.

 

[ind33d]

Ubisoft shares plunge 20% after Assassin’s Creed Shadows delay.

With lower estimates for the quarter and the year at large, Ubisoft shares have fallen significantly as a result. They’ve been steadily declining since February 2021, down from €85.15 ($94.98) per share to €9.08 ($10.13) per share at the time of writing.

Since September 2019, Ubisoft’s share price has fallen by 86.5%. In the past five days, shares have declined by 29.3%.

Deus Vult?

Imagine making a children's video game about Japan and releasing it during Black History Month

This is like if the central bankers in the City of London had a bestiality fetish and released the next Assassin's Creed on National Dog Day. These people are INSANE

 

[toro]

 

[ghardy]

Video game maker Ubisoft in chaos after anti-DEI backlash
The ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game maker delayed its biggest launch of the year, reduced forecasts, and is facing calls to sell, in what is being called an ‘incel victory.’

[Emphasis added]
...

The Paris-based video game publisher pushed the release of its biggest game of the year from November 12 to February 14 of next year—and warned investors that net bookings would no longer exceed the 2.3 billion euros of last year, but come in at a disappointing 1.95 billion euros. That sent shares lower Thursday, continuing a rough year for the company (UBI.PA). Year to date, shares are down 57%, which has stirred up some activist investors to call for a sale.

The bookings’ shortfall was, technically, due to the delay and disappointing sales of Star Wars: Outlaws. However, the underlying reason for both of those, at least in part, is the far-right opposition to diversity and inclusion.

Outlaws, which has a female lead character, received mostly solid reviews from professional critics; but many players gave it a zero rating out of 10 on Metacritic, citing “forced DEI narratives” and claiming the developers “spent more time on the woke culture than on the story and gameplay.” Some players were also unhappy with the optional season pass model that tacked an additional $40 onto the game’s price for extra missions. (The season pass/downloadable content model has been a popular one in the industry for many publishers, and is used in Fortnite and Dark Souls 3.)

...

“We believe Star Wars Outlaws was impacted by a coordinated effort that sought to troll Ubisoft games specifically and Star Wars content in general,” wrote Michael Pachter of Wedbush in an analyst’s note. “This is a case of a rare incel victory that led to Ubisoft having to take down its numbers.”
...

In fact, the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which was already under fire by that group for having a female ninja and a Black samurai as lead characters in a game set in feudal Japan, could embolden detractors. GamerGate-friendly forums on Reddit are already celebrating the announcement and taking a victory lap, with a few racist comments thrown in.

But gameplay mechanics weren’t what caused the prerelease backlash of Shadows. As far back as July, the development team has found itself on the defensive for its choice to include a Black protagonist in the game. (That character, Yasuke, is based on an actual Black samurai from the 16th century.)
“While we strive for authenticity in everything that we do, Assassin’s Creed games are works of fiction inspired by real historical events and figures,” the development team wrote in July. “From its inception, the series has taken creative license and incorporated fantasy elements to craft engaging and immersive experiences. The representation of Yasuke in our game is an illustration of this. His unique and mysterious life made him an ideal candidate to tell an Assassin’s Creed story with the setting of feudal Japan as a backdrop.”

...
Pachter said he still expects the game to sell more than 7 million copies, adding “this game has the potential to be one of Ubisoft’s bestsellers ever.”
That might not be enough for some investors. Reuters, on Thursday, reported an activist investor, pushing for the sale of Ubisoft to a third-party or private equity investors, claimed to have the support of 10% of the company’s shareholders.

 

[toro]

 

[gooseman]

That might not be enough for some investors. Reuters, on Thursday, reported an activist investor, pushing for the sale of Ubisoft to a third-party or private equity investors, claimed to have the support of 10% of the company’s shareholders.

Soon it will all be Microsoft. And then Disney, or something.

 

[Fedora Master]

I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT TOO IF IT WASN'T FOR THESE DARN GAMERGATERS!

 

[ind33d]

Video game maker Ubisoft in chaos after anti-DEI backlash
The ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game maker delayed its biggest launch of the year, reduced forecasts, and is facing calls to sell, in what is being called an ‘incel victory.’

[Emphasis added]
...

The Paris-based video game publisher pushed the release of its biggest game of the year from November 12 to February 14 of next year—and warned investors that net bookings would no longer exceed the 2.3 billion euros of last year, but come in at a disappointing 1.95 billion euros. That sent shares lower Thursday, continuing a rough year for the company (UBI.PA). Year to date, shares are down 57%, which has stirred up some activist investors to call for a sale.

The bookings’ shortfall was, technically, due to the delay and disappointing sales of Star Wars: Outlaws. However, the underlying reason for both of those, at least in part, is the far-right opposition to diversity and inclusion.

Outlaws, which has a female lead character, received mostly solid reviews from professional critics; but many players gave it a zero rating out of 10 on Metacritic, citing “forced DEI narratives” and claiming the developers “spent more time on the woke culture than on the story and gameplay.” Some players were also unhappy with the optional season pass model that tacked an additional $40 onto the game’s price for extra missions. (The season pass/downloadable content model has been a popular one in the industry for many publishers, and is used in Fortnite and Dark Souls 3.)

...

“We believe Star Wars Outlaws was impacted by a coordinated effort that sought to troll Ubisoft games specifically and Star Wars content in general,” wrote Michael Pachter of Wedbush in an analyst’s note. “This is a case of a rare incel victory that led to Ubisoft having to take down its numbers.”
...

In fact, the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which was already under fire by that group for having a female ninja and a Black samurai as lead characters in a game set in feudal Japan, could embolden detractors. GamerGate-friendly forums on Reddit are already celebrating the announcement and taking a victory lap, with a few racist comments thrown in.

But gameplay mechanics weren’t what caused the prerelease backlash of Shadows. As far back as July, the development team has found itself on the defensive for its choice to include a Black protagonist in the game. (That character, Yasuke, is based on an actual Black samurai from the 16th century.)
“While we strive for authenticity in everything that we do, Assassin’s Creed games are works of fiction inspired by real historical events and figures,” the development team wrote in July. “From its inception, the series has taken creative license and incorporated fantasy elements to craft engaging and immersive experiences. The representation of Yasuke in our game is an illustration of this. His unique and mysterious life made him an ideal candidate to tell an Assassin’s Creed story with the setting of feudal Japan as a backdrop.”

...
Pachter said he still expects the game to sell more than 7 million copies, adding “this game has the potential to be one of Ubisoft’s bestsellers ever.”
That might not be enough for some investors. Reuters, on Thursday, reported an activist investor, pushing for the sale of Ubisoft to a third-party or private equity investors, claimed to have the support of 10% of the company’s shareholders.

they think anyone who isn't black is an "incel," including japanese people. who knew that allowing mentally ill racial supremacists to issue fiat currency for hundreds of years with no oversight was a bad idea? it's like the united states of america was founded as a ponzi scheme to fund Dayquan's child support payments

 

[Baron Dupek]

send to HR for skippin emoji/smiley? Must be little hell down there...

the LD in question

 

[Necrensha]

 

[Nifft Batuff]

What if they just change the color of the MC and make him japanese?

 

[ghardy]

What if they just change the color of the MC and make him japanese?

They'd have to change the dialogue too.

(At McDonald's)
Yasuke: I want suma dem good fries!
(Time passes...)
Yasuke: Yo, Suckadicka-san. Wat dis sheet, givin' a brutha cold fries! Fuck dis bitch-ass crap!
(Yasuke shoots the cashier.)

 

[ind33d]

What if they just change the color of the MC and make him japanese?

I read a comment that all the cutscenes are pre-rendered. If that's true, this is one of the funniest things to ever happen

 

[ghardy]

Meanwhile...

Ubisoft Has Launched An Improved Monopoly Title

[Emphasis added]

...

[To be read in a faux-enthusiastic advertising voice]

Enjoy the feel of an authentic tabletop experience in the digital realm with family and friends. Play with up to six players in person or take matches online to compete against property moguls from around the world. The Monopoly digital game is designed to be the perfect game night activity – players can choose to share a single controller or have each use their own. While moving around the board, players can admire the neighborhood and watch as it transforms before their eyes, from sunny mornings to stormy nights. Losing badly? Flip the board and try again. Explore every nook and cranny of the city to uncover hidden tokens, and keep an eye out for Mr. Monopoly, who may be hiding in plain sight!
...

With new ways to play and a growing list of culturally relevant editions, there truly is a Monopoly for everyone.

 

[ghardy]

I guess Ubisoft could use some of that Monopoly money.

Sell it now!

Ubisoft’s Dismal FY25 Forecast and Weak Sales Prompt Sell Rating

[Emphasis added]

Bernstein analyst Aleksander Peterc reiterated a Sell rating on UBISOFT Entertainment (0NVL – Research Report) on September 26 and set a price target of €19.00.

Aleksander Peterc has given his Sell rating due to a combination of factors including a significant sales and profit warning issued by Ubisoft Entertainment. The company’s management has revised its fiscal year 2025 net bookings forecast to be 20% below the consensus before the warning, which suggests a 16% year-over-year revenue decline. This stark revision contrasts with previous expectations for solid growth. Additionally, the new guidance for second-quarter net bookings is substantially lower than both the previous guidance and market consensus, exacerbating the situation due to the company’s high operating leverage from internal game development, leading to a dire non-IFRS EBIT outlook that is expected to barely break even in FY25.

Furthermore, the disappointing initial sales of Star Wars Outlaws and the delay in the release of AC Shadows are significant setbacks contributing to the negative outlook for Ubisoft’s FY25. The company’s management has attempted to reassure stakeholders of its adequate liquidity and compliance with loan covenants, yet the continuous decline in operating metrics suggests a diminishing financial flexibility. This ongoing deterioration, alongside a roughly 50% drop in UBI shares since mid-July and especially after the Star Wars Outlaws release, underpins the rationale behind Peterc’s sell rating and his advice for investors to exercise caution with Ubisoft’s stock.

 

[Inec0rn]

What IP is worth buying from them though? their best IP is Anno or HoMM/M&M that isn't going to make billions, the rest is shit.

Any other publisher already has better competing games.