Ubisoft has announced who will be leading its brand new and unnamed subsidiary: the son of current Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, Charlie Guillemot. Well, technically he will be co-leading the company alongside Christophe Derennes.
The new subsidiary is backed by Chinese company Tencent which has sunk a €1.16 billion investment into it. The new company will control Ubisoft’s biggest IP such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. Mostly, though, it’s meant to help Ubisoft tackle its growing monetary problems, leaving Ubisoft itself with the debt while the new company trots off with a much higher market value and a bright future. Or something like that. I’m not a businessman.
Charlie Guillemot previously ran Ubisoft’s mobile studio Owlient before leaving. He returned to Ubisoft earlier this year, and is keen to address the idea that he has been handed the position because of his father.
Speaking to Variety, Charlie had this to say on the subject: “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.”
Christophe Derennes is the former head of the Ubisoft Montreal studio, and Ubisoft’s managing director for North America. He’s been with the company for 35-years.
Unsurprisingly, the decision to place another Guillemot in charge has drawn a lot of criticism already from the Internet.