Earlier in the year, we learned that Tencent was teaming up with Ubisoft to create a new subsidiary studio. This new studio, this new Ubisoft, would focus on popular Ubisoft IPs such as Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six. The new subsidiary was valued at about €4 billion, which includes the roughly 25% investment (€1.16 billion) from Tencent.
Though work is still ongoing to get the studio opened by the end of the year, we did learn today who the new studio will be run by. Ubisoft named Charlie Guillemot as co-CEO alongside co-CEO Christophe Derennes. Charlie Guillemot is the song of Yves Guillemot, the CEO of Ubisoft whom I'm sure we're all familiar with by now here.
Derennes was the former lead of Ubisoft's Montreal location as well as the managing director for Ubisoft in North America. Derennes has 35 years of experience under his belt.
Christophe Derennes has been with Ubisoft for over 35 years. He brings extensive operational and production leadership, having launched and led the Montreal studio. He also played a key role in shaping the editorial and production strategy across major titles, and most recently served as Managing Director for North America.
The investigations from this committee led to Ubisoft creating this new subsidiary. The very same subsidiary that Charlie Guillemot is now a co-CEO of. Funny how that worked out.
Ubisoft's press release had some choice buzzwords for their description of Guillemot.
Charlie Guillemot has built a hybrid career at the intersection of management and innovation. He brings an entrepreneurial perspective and a sharp understanding of evolving industry dynamics and players’ expectations, shaped by his experience in game development. With a strong product mindset, deep tech culture, and a passion for games, he represents a new generation of leadership focused on innovation, quality, and putting players at the centre of decision-making.
Both Derennes and Charlie Guillemot spoke to Variety about their new roles at Ubisoft. When asked about concerns over nepotism within Ubisoft, Charlie offered this response:
I’d like to address this question directly, if I may. I completely understand where it comes from, and I want to be clear about it. Yes, I’m Yves’ son. That’s not something I hide from. But my appointment isn’t only about family ties; it’s about what Ubisoft needs at this moment.
I’ve spent the last decade building experience both inside and outside Ubisoft, leading teams, managing brands, and navigating change in a fast-moving industry. I also made the conscious choice to step away when it made sense, to learn and grow elsewhere.
What matters now isn’t my name, it’s the work ahead. Ubisoft is at a pivotal moment. What’s expected of me is to help push the company forward by bringing energy, focus, and by relying on the incredible expertise that already exists across the teams. I see myself as someone here to contribute, support, and help create the right conditions are in place for everyone to do their best work.
I’ve spent the last decade building experience both inside and outside Ubisoft, leading teams, managing brands, and navigating change in a fast-moving industry. I also made the conscious choice to step away when it made sense, to learn and grow elsewhere.
What matters now isn’t my name, it’s the work ahead. Ubisoft is at a pivotal moment. What’s expected of me is to help push the company forward by bringing energy, focus, and by relying on the incredible expertise that already exists across the teams. I see myself as someone here to contribute, support, and help create the right conditions are in place for everyone to do their best work.
Ubisoft was founded in 1986 by the brothers Guillemot: Yves, Christian, Claude, Gerard, and Michel. The company has remained under the control of the Guillemots for nearly three decades despite recent financial concerns, hostile takeover attempts, and so many accusations of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment at the studio that they have their own Wikipedia page.
Just earlier this month, three former Ubisoft employees were found guilty for enabling and participating in a culture of sexual harassment. Former chief creative officer at Ubisoft, Serge Hascoët, was found guilty of psychological harassment and complicity in sexual harassment. Hascoët was given an 18-month suspended sentence and fined $52,000. Former Ubisoft editorial VP Thomas François was found guilty of sexual harassment, psychological harassment and an attempted sexual assault. He was given a three-year suspended sentence and fined $35,000. Former game director, Guillaume Patrux, was found guilty of psychological harassment and given a 12-month suspended sentence and fined $11,600.
(Image via Variety)
