Vantage Studios: Ubisoft Unveils Name of New Tencent-Backed Division

Following its announcement in March, Ubisoft has now officially launched its Tencent-backed subsidiary, dedicated to managing its most prominent franchises, including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. As the division begins its first day of operation, it has been revealed that the subsidiary will be known as Vantage Studios. The name was selected through an employee vote, with the initial codename being Nova. Vantage Studios comprises Ubisoft's offices in multiple locations, including Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Barcelona, and Sofia, with a total of 2,300 employees. This new division is part of Ubisoft's strategic plan to reorganize into 'creative houses,' adopting a more decentralized operational model. As the first creative house, Vantage Studios will have greater autonomy over its business strategies and creative direction, overseeing the development of Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, while remaining under the Ubisoft umbrella. Tencent holds a 25% stake in Vantage Studios, resulting from a significant €1.16 billion cash investment. Upon completion of the deal, Ubisoft is expected to significantly reduce its debt. Although Tencent will provide advisory support, the co-CEOs of Vantage Studios, Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot, will have the final say in all decision-making processes.