Reuters: Tencent needs to develop into Ubisoft’s largest shareholder – IT Professional – Information

Chinese language tech big Tencent needs to develop into the biggest shareholder of French sport writer Ubisoft. That’s what Reuters says on the premise of a number of sources. Tencent is alleged to have already contacted the Guillemot household, which owns 13.2 p.c of Ubisoft.

Tencent has in response to Reuters already owns 5 p.c of the shares of Ubisoft, however needs to extend that proportion. For this it appears to be like, amongst different issues, to the French Guillemot household who based Ubisoft in 1986 and at present nonetheless 13.2 p.c of the shares owned by the writer. Based on the worldwide information company, different buyers are additionally being contacted to purchase shares.

Tencent’s initiative comes after Yves Guillemot, the CEO of Ubisoft, said just a few months in the past that the corporate was open to a attainable takeover. “Ubisoft can stay unbiased. Our properties are wanted by the largest world gamers in leisure and tech. That stated, if there may be a suggestion to purchase us, the board of administrators would after all look carefully at it, allowing for the significance of shareholders in thoughts”, it sounded then.

Tencent needs to keep away from the restrictions of the Chinese language authorities with these investments, in response to Reuters. He shared for 9 months no licenses extra for video games that may additionally generate income. Since April licenses can be distributed once more this yr.

Final yr, Tencent additionally got here into battle with the Chinese language authorities. Tencent may then quickly no extra updating apps and video games in China as a result of they have been topic to an inspection by the authorities who needed to confirm that an excessive amount of private information was not being collected. Final yr, the Chinese language authorities additionally imposed new guidelines that enable minors to play on-line Chinese language video games for 3 hours every week. The principles have been in response to the native authorities supposed to guard the psychological and bodily well being of youngsters. Recreation firms are additionally required to register the actual identities of underage avid gamers in China. Tencent even said that it needed to make use of facial recognition for this.

Tencent is the biggest sport firm on this planet. The Chinese language tech big has smartphone video games comparable to Honor of Kings, Conflict of Clans, PUBG Cell and Name of Responsibility: Cell in its portfolio and rakes in billions yearly. Tencent’s gaming arm is sort of 3 times the dimensions of Activision-Blizzard, the biggest “conventional” sport writer.