A minority shareholder in Ubisoft, led by Juraj Krúpa, CEO of AJ Investments, is organizing a protest outside the company's Paris headquarters. The protest stems from accusations that Ubisoft has not been transparent about its management and potential acquisition discussions with companies like Microsoft, EA, and others interested in its franchises. Krúpa criticizes Ubisoft's current management for "horrible mismanagement," declining shareholder value, and poor operational execution.
In a statement to IGN, Krúpa highlighted Ubisoft's alleged lack of disclosure regarding discussions with Microsoft, EA, and other publishers interested in acquiring its IPs, as well as a partnership with the Saudi investment firm Savvy Group for an Assassin's Creed Mirage DLC. He also pointed to Ubisoft's repeated delays of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, initially postponed from July 18, 2024, to November 15, 2024, and then again to March 20, 2025. These delays, according to Krúpa, have negatively impacted the stock price, primarily affecting retail investors while benefiting institutional investors like Credit Agricole, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and others.
Krúpa's dissatisfaction extends to Ubisoft's broader performance, citing years of high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, game cancellations, and delays. He mentioned ongoing rumors about Ubisoft's strategic options, including potential privatization discussions with the Guillemot family and Tencent, which have been exploratory but have not yet materialized into concrete actions.
AJ Investments is calling on all frustrated Ubisoft investors to join the May protest, emphasizing the need for Ubisoft's management to reach a conclusion that genuinely enhances shareholder value. Krúpa stated that if such a conclusion is reached, the demonstration would be called off. He stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and maximizing shareholder value, threatening legal action if Ubisoft continues to mislead investors.
This isn't the first time AJ Investments has voiced its concerns; previously, in September, it issued an open letter to Ubisoft's board and Tencent, urging a change in leadership and considering a sale following the disappointing release of Star Wars Outlaws, which led to a significant drop in Ubisoft's share price.
For several years, Ubisoft has been grappling with challenges, and the upcoming protest underscores the growing discontent among its shareholders.
