Ubisoft has named the co-CEOs of its new Tencent-backed subsidiary, together with present Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot’s son, Charlie Guillemot.
The French writer introduced the unnamed subsidiary, which is partly owned by Tencent after a €1.16 billion funding, earlier this yr. The intention is for the subsidiary to oversee Ubisoft’s three greatest IPs, Murderer’s Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, and act autonomously from its guardian.
On Wednesday, Ubisoft named Charlie Guillemot as co-CEO of the brand new enterprise. Charlie beforehand led Ubisoft-owned cell studio Owlient, earlier than leaving to co-found Web3 indie agency Unagi, and rejoining Ubisoft earlier this yr.
He can be joined as co-CEO by 35-year firm veteran Christophe Derennes, who’s the previous head of the profitable Montreal studio, and Ubisoft’s managing director for North America.
In keeping with Ubisoft, Charlie and Christophe’s most important tasks can be to “outline the technique and imaginative and prescient” for its manufacturers, and “create the precise situations for the groups to function on the highest stage”.
“With complementary backgrounds, Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot convey sturdy trade experience, deep information of the Ubisoft ecosystem, and a shared tradition of innovation,” it stated.
Chatting with Selection, the brand new management staff was requested to handle considerations of nepotism concerning Charlie’s appointment as co-CEO.
Charlie Guillemot responded: “I’d like to handle this query straight, if I could. I utterly perceive the place it comes from, and I need to be clear about it. Sure, I’m Yves’ son. That’s not one thing I cover from. However my appointment isn’t solely about household ties; it’s about what Ubisoft wants at this second.”
He continued: “I’ve spent the final decade constructing expertise each inside and out of doors Ubisoft, main groups, managing manufacturers, and navigating change in a fast-moving trade. I additionally made the aware option to step away when it made sense, to study and develop elsewhere.
“What issues now isn’t my title, it’s the work forward. Ubisoft is at a pivotal second. What’s anticipated of me is to assist push the corporate ahead by bringing vitality, focus, and by counting on the unimaginable experience that already exists throughout the groups. I see myself as somebody right here to contribute, help, and assist create the precise situations are in place for everybody to do their finest work.”
Tencent owns a minority stake within the spun-off firm, which is 100% managed and consolidated by Ubisoft.
