EA buys 20% of UbiSoft

[Section_Ei8ht]

i hope ea crashes and burns. As stated before, I also see Ubi as the antithesis to EA. dont do it Ubi!!!! dont!!!!

Hopefully, distribution systems like steam will pick up and put a little dent in big time publishers.

As for my feelings on EA: do I need to remind you of Catwoman?

[kleinluka]

what do you mean DONT DO IT UBI ?

its not like we WANT them to buy us up, you know?

the stock is publically traded. anyone can buy / sell.

[Lurker]

Up until a 33% hold of the company, and then it needs to be approved by the company. Something like that anyway, at least EA can't go out and buy up Ubisoft share like candy, that would be horrible.

[X-FacToR]

EA use to be cool before it got so money hungry with the sports games then it ventured out into other games. Maybe im blind but thats what ive seen, Earth & Beyond & Motor City Online both had gigantic fan bases but they were tore apart because of the EA games putting the devolopers onto another project and scrapping the last when they were sitll in their prime. This isnt to speak of the millions of other factors going on.

[marque_pierre]

Oooh Ooooh! Publish with Vivendi Universal! I hear they treat developers awesomely.

I am sure Valve will testify to that!

[Section_Ei8ht]

one word. activision.

[KungFuSquirrel]

Hooray!

[Lurker]

Lets not forget, Ubisoft is and prorbably will be around for a very long, I'd publish with them any day (if I was in the position to decide)

[marque_pierre]

I hear Microsoft Game Studios are really good and supportive as publishers. Yeah, fanboys flame me all you want, but that is a persistent story you get from loads of big developers who are hooked up with them...

[ctswin]

they screwed up with tex murphy.. they're free now though

[kleinluka]

Here's the official announcement from Ubisoft:

Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest interactive video game publishers, today announced that Electronic Arts has gained a 19.9% stake in Ubisoft. It now holds 19.9% of Ubisoft’s capital and 18.4% of voting rights. This move emphasizes the strategic importance of Ubisoft’s position in the video game industry. This purchase won’t be complete until obtaining antitrust clearance.

Thanks to the strength of its studios and brands, Ubisoft is in the strongest position amidst all publishers to meet the challenge of the transition to next generation consoles. This is why the company attracts the active interest of its competitors.

Without further information from EA on their intentions and agenda, this operation is considered as hostile. This move attempts to capitalize on Ubisoft’s efforts in terms of creation before the market is given the opportunity to reward them at its just value. Ubisoft is looking into all possible options to protect the interests of its teams and its stakeholders. With 22.8% of voting rights, the founding shareholders will play a key role in the upcoming discussions.

[KungFuSquirrel]

Just saw this on Shacknews, looks like a step in the right direction:

http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/041230/323/f9e6u.html

Long story short, there's speculation the French government may step in to protect the interests of French developers, some 20% of which work with Ubi.

Go France.

[Fullauto]

Viva la Republique!

[kleinluka]

Interview with Yves Guillemot (Ubisoft President) about EA stock aquisition:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/12/29/news_6115594.html

[marque_pierre]

French government to the rescue?

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=6090