Ubisoft Names CEO's Son Co-CEO of Tencent-Backed Subsidiary

Ubisoft has appointed Charlie Guillemot, son of CEO Yves Guillemot, as co-CEO alongside industry veteran Christophe Derennes to lead a new Tencent-backed subsidiary managing Ubisoft's major franchises: Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. The subsidiary, formed as part of a $4.3 billion deal in which Tencent holds a 25% stake, aims to define strategy and vision for these IPs while maintaining Ubisoft's control, particularly by the Guillemot family. Charlie Guillemot, who previously led Ubisoft's mobile studio Owlient and co-founded a Web3 startup, has emphasized his experience and commitment to advancing Ubisoft despite nepotism accusations. Derennes brings 35 years of Ubisoft experience, having been head of Ubisoft Montreal and North America, with a focus on stabilizing and guiding the subsidiary's operations. The move has sparked criticism and concerns over nepotism amid Ubisoft's recent reputation challenges, but Charlie insists the appointment is based on his qualifications and the company's needs. This new structure reflects Ubisoft's effort to innovate while balancing the influence of Tencent and retaining family leadership.