Good News! Ubisoft Counters EA Games's "Hostile" Purchase!

[The Threepster]

Ubisoft Countering EA's 'Hostile' Act

Two weeks ago, on the 20th of December, Electronic Arts acquired a 19.9 % stake in rival publisher Ubisoft. France based Ubisoft has not taken this news laying down, characterizing the move as "hostile" and expressing disappointment in EA's lack of communication before this purchase. The most recent twist in this story, as reported by La Tribune, is that the French government may intervene to prevent Electronic Arts from taking over Ubisoft. Ubisoft is already considering increasing the holding of the Guillemot family, which founded the company in 1986, whom already have 17.5 % of shares and 26.6 % of voting rights.

The end of the year was a busy time for Electronic Arts' acquisitions department. Along with the purchase of 19.9 % of rival Ubisoft's stocks, the company has also secured an exclusive deal with the NFL, guaranteeing the rights to use the likenesses and names of NFL players, teams and stadiums for EA and EA alone. EA is reportedly close to purchasing Digital Illusions CE (developers of the successful Battlefield series), and they are also reportedly attempting to secure an exclusive license for both the NBA and MLB as well.

Enjoy http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[bitebug2003]

Sorry i'm completely dumb when it comes to these kind of things.

How was/is EA able to acquire a stake in Ubisoft? Is/Was Ubisoft up for sale or something? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

If not, how can EA just acquire a 19.9% stake without Ubisoft' say so?

That's what I'm making out from:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>France based Ubisoft has not taken this news laying down, characterizing the move as "hostile" and expressing disappointment in EA's lack of communication before this purchase. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[Broderbum_TM]

Bitebug, EA can do so by convincing($$) other (perhaps) major stockholders to silently sell their stocks to them.

[Yolkboy]

Ah Threepster beat me to the punch... I saw the Article at IGN (http://ps2.ign.com/articles/576/576530p1.html) Oh and IGN also does some predictions. Just scroll to the bottom (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/576/576712p1.html)

[HystericFreak]

EA are in a lot of trouble anyway... apparently they've been treating their employees horribly. They haven't been paying over-time at all... Naughty naughty..

[Dafnie]

And their big franchises like Medal of Honor and the new Golden Eye: rouge agent does not sell very well! The games are simply to disappointing...

[alimokrane]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Ubisoft is already considering increasing the holding of the Guillemot family, which founded the company in 1986, whom already have 17.5 % of shares and 26.6 % of voting rights <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well I hope that they will do this soon cauz it seems EA has no intention of stopping there, there have been rumors that EA is going to buy shares in EIDOS as well....

[Gallagher_939]

ea are complete ermmmmmm how to say this without gettin band bad bad people there really greedy though theyve done well for themselves lately with aquiring big movie licences but if they got hold of ubi then theyd ruin it as ubi have more initiative games such as pop and splinter cell both serise that are brilliant!

[Yog1243]

EA it seems is getting in a lot of troublehttp://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif.This trouble might cause it's collapse.I though don't think EA will buty the E.U. . If EA buys the E.U. they will have to rule Europe politcaly too.

[Ancient-Prince]

All I say is... EA stay away from UBISOFT !! UbiSoft has too much potential in its staff to be taken over by another game developer. All EA has is $$$$ ching $$$$ ching $$$$ since they are buying every god darn thing.

Im lately much more impressed with UBISOFT's latest games, especially the excellent continuation of the Prince of Persia series with both Sands of Time and Warrior Within. Not to mention Splinter Cell and BG&E. EA's games are quite disappointing lately, including Medal of Honor PA's total disaster.

Anyway, I just hope UBISOFT stand their ground and not let EA take over them aswell... UBI have more talent in my holy opinion. Otherwise, we will see nothing anymore but EA games which is quite depressing. UBI proves a worthy competitor and I vote for UBI all the way.

Cheers to UBISOFT http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Ancient-Prince.

[stealthmaster736]

I hope EA dosen't screw up Timesplitters 3.Because instead of Eidos the guy's who made the 1st 2 timesplitters game are with EA now.And I'm a huge fane of the 2nd Timespitters.So EA better not make "RARE" mess up.Why did they leave Eidos anyway's?

[Sea_Maiden]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HystericFreak:
EA are in a lot of trouble anyway... apparently they've been treating their employees horribly. They haven't been paying over-time at all... Naughty naughty.. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I HATE when big monopolies that have tons and tons of money to burn exploit their employees *cough*Walmart*cough* it absolutely gets my goat. I hate big monopolies in general, they don't care about the individual because if they lose one customer, it's no skin off their nose. I wish the world was full of a whole bunch of little businesses, instead of a few big ones. Sorry if I'm ranting but it makes me soooo mad! Especially how they went about buying part of Ubisoft. When I first heard I thought maybe it was a collaboration, I didn't know what was going on behind it, that it was shady business. I hope stupid EA goes belly-up and no one will work for them anymore. I'm glad they're starting to get exposed.