Core Insights - Ubisoft reported first-quarter net bookings of €281.6 million for fiscal year 2025-26, which is a decrease of 2.9% compared to €290.0 million in the same period last year, falling short of expectations [3][23] - The company is undergoing a transformation by reorganizing into Creative Houses, aimed at enhancing quality, focus, autonomy, and accountability while fostering closer connections with players [4][7][16] - The closing of the transaction with Tencent is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, subject to regulatory approval [4][18] Financial Performance - IFRS 15 sales for Q1 2025-26 were €310.8 million, down 3.9% from €323.5 million in Q1 2024-25 [22] - Digital net bookings reached €250.2 million, a decrease of 2.7%, while Player Recurring Investment (PRI) net bookings were €151.8 million, down 4.3% [1][22] - Back-catalog net bookings increased by 4.4% year-on-year to €260.4 million, representing 92.5% of total net bookings [1] Game Performance - Assassin's Creed Shadows met expectations with over 5 million unique players since launch, while Rainbow Six Siege faced temporary disruptions due to technical pricing issues [6][9] - The Rainbow Six Siege X update received positive feedback, with significant player engagement growth despite earlier pricing issues [11][12] - Tom Clancy's The Division 2 had a strong start to the fiscal year, driven by new content and its inclusion in Game Pass [14] Strategic Outlook - For Q2 2025-26, net bookings are expected to reach around €450 million, driven by strategic partnerships and contributions from Rainbow Six Siege X [24] - The company confirmed its full-year targets, expecting stable net bookings year-on-year and approximately break-even non-IFRS operating income [25] - Upcoming titles for FY26 include Anno 117: Pax Romana™, Prince of Persia™: The Sands of Time remake, and Rainbow Six Mobile [26]

Core Insights - Ubisoft reported its earnings figures for FY2024-25, highlighting a challenging year with mixed dynamics across its portfolio but managed to generate positive free cash flow [6][9][10] Financial Performance - FY2024-25 IFRS 15 sales were €1,899.2 million, down 17.5% from €2,300.9 million in FY2023-24 [39] - Net bookings for FY2024-25 amounted to €1,846.4 million, a decrease of 20.5% compared to €2,321.4 million in the previous fiscal year [40] - Free cash flow was reported at €128 million, driven by cash flow from operating activities of €169 million [2][7] - Non-IFRS operating income was a loss of €15.1 million, compared to a profit of €401.4 million in FY2023-24 [41] Key Metrics - Digital net bookings were €1,585.4 million, down 20.2%, representing 85.9% of total net bookings [3] - The company maintained a solid balance sheet with a cash position of approximately €1 billion and net debt reduced to €885 million [4][44] - Unique active players for Assassin's Creed and Rainbow Six franchises remained stable at around 30 million each, while Far Cry maintained around 20 million [3][14] Strategic Initiatives - Ubisoft is pursuing a transformation strategy, planning to announce a new overall Group organization by the end of the year to better serve player needs and improve game quality [4][11] - A new subsidiary backed by Tencent is being created to accelerate growth of three leading IPs, with the transaction expected to close by the end of 2025 [12][27] - The company has achieved its initial cost reduction program ahead of schedule, targeting an additional €100 million in fixed cost reductions over the next two years [8][33] Product Development and Releases - The launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows on March 20, 2025, received strong praise, achieving the second-highest Day 1 sales in franchise history [15][16] - The game has logged 160 million hours of playtime, indicating strong player engagement [15] - Upcoming expansions and new content for Assassin's Creed Shadows are planned, including the Claws of Awaji expansion [17][18] Market Outlook - For FY2025-26, Ubisoft expects stable net bookings year-on-year and approximately breakeven non-IFRS operating income [47] - The company anticipates a return to positive non-IFRS operating income and free cash flow generation in FY2026-27, supported by significant content from its largest brands [49]

Core Insights - Ubisoft announced a deal to spin out some of its best-selling franchises, leading to a surge in its shares [1] - Tencent is investing 1.16 billion euros ($1.25 billion) into a newly formed gaming subsidiary that will include major franchises like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six [1][2] - The new subsidiary is valued at 4 billion euros, which is more than double Ubisoft's current market capitalization [2] Financial Performance - Ubisoft shares jumped 11% following the announcement of the new subsidiary [2] - The investment from Tencent indicates strong market confidence in the new unit's potential to create evergreen and multi-platform game ecosystems [2] Strategic Moves - The formation of the new subsidiary aims to address uncertainties surrounding Ubisoft's future, especially after facing financial struggles and delays in key game releases [3] - The focus on building game ecosystems suggests a strategic shift towards long-term sustainability and growth in the gaming market [2][3]

Group 1 - Ubisoft is postponing the launch of "Assassin's Creed Shadows" and has appointed advisors to review strategic options [1] - The company is creating a new gaming subsidiary with Tencent investing 1.16 billion euros ($1.25 billion) into the unit [1] - The new subsidiary will focus on Ubisoft's major game brands, including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six [1] Group 2 - The subsidiary aims to build game ecosystems that are evergreen and multi-platform, enhancing narrative solo experiences and expanding multiplayer offerings [2] - The investment from Tencent values the new subsidiary at 4 billion euros, indicating a 4x multiple based on average sales from 2023 to 2025 [3] - This investment reinforces Ubisoft's balance sheet and supports its goal to become a more agile organization [3] Group 3 - The strategic move follows months of speculation regarding Ubisoft's future and potential external investments [4] - Recent reports indicated that Tencent was in discussions for a possible take-private deal with Ubisoft's founding Guillemot family [4] - The news comes shortly after the release of "Assassin's Creed Shadows," which received positive reviews with an average score of 82 on Metacritic [5]