Ubisoft Faces Financial Scrutiny Amid Assassin's Creed Shadows Scandal

Ubisoft is considering the establishment of a new company aimed at attracting investors by focusing on key franchises like Assassin's Creed. According to Bloomberg, Ubisoft is contemplating selling a stake in this new entity and has initiated discussions with potential investors, including Tencent, alongside various international and French funds. The anticipated market value of this new venture is set to surpass Ubisoft's current market capitalization, which stands at $1.8 billion.

While the project is still in the discussion phase, Ubisoft has yet to make a final decision. The success of the forthcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows plays a pivotal role in these plans. Ubisoft has reported that pre-orders for the game are progressing well, maintaining high expectations for its performance.

Amidst these developments, Ubisoft is facing another controversy in Japan. Takeshi Nagase, a member of both the Kobe City Council and the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly, has publicly criticized Ubisoft's handling of religious themes in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Nagase finds it unacceptable that the game allows players to attack monks in temples or shoot arrows at sacred buildings. He specifically objects to the depiction of the renowned Engyō-ji temple in Himeji, where the protagonist, Yasuke, is shown entering with dirty shoes and destroying a sacred mirror within.