France’s Ubisoft Full-Year Net Bookings Fall 20.5%

A man passes by the main entrance of Ubisoft video firm company where a strike call is planned on February 14, 2024, in Montpellier, south of France, on February 13, 2024. (AFP)
A man passes by the main entrance of Ubisoft video firm company where a strike call is planned on February 14, 2024, in Montpellier, south of France, on February 13, 2024. (AFP)
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France’s Ubisoft Full-Year Net Bookings Fall 20.5%

A man passes by the main entrance of Ubisoft video firm company where a strike call is planned on February 14, 2024, in Montpellier, south of France, on February 13, 2024. (AFP)
A man passes by the main entrance of Ubisoft video firm company where a strike call is planned on February 14, 2024, in Montpellier, south of France, on February 13, 2024. (AFP)

France's largest video game maker Ubisoft on Wednesday posted a 20.5% fall in full-year net bookings as the company has faced issues with delayed releases and the underperformance of some of its leading titles.

The maker of the blockbuster franchise "Assassin's Creed" reported net bookings of 1.85 billion euros ($2.07 billion) for the year to March 31, slightly below its guidance of around 1.9 billion euros.

Ubisoft plans to announce a new overall group organization by the end of the year, with the objective to best serve player needs, deliver superior game quality and drive disciplined capital allocation, it said in a statement.

It expects full-year 2025-2026 stable net bookings year-on-year and roughly break-even non-IFRS operating income. Net bookings for the first quarter are forecast at 310 million euros.

Ubisoft also expects to return to positive non-IFRS operating income and free cash flow generation in 2026-2027, it said.

"After a review of our pipeline, we have decided to provide additional development time to some of our biggest productions to create the best conditions for success," CEO Yves Guillemot said in the statement.

As a result, he said, the next two years would see "significant content coming from our largest brands."

In March, the company faced a make-or-break moment with the launch of the newest instalment in "Assassin's Creed" franchise as the company grappled with falling revenue, a sinking stock price and takeover speculation.

"Aware of the challenges ahead, we took decisive steps to continue strengthening the company's future. The launch of 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' was a defining moment," Guillemot said.

The release had reaffirmed the power of the brand, he added, and had received a "highly favorable community response".

Ubisoft said that the game delivered the second-highest Day 1 sales revenue in franchise history and set a new record for Ubisoft's Day 1 performance on the PlayStation digital store.



UK Plans to Increase Control over Google in search

The new Google logo is seen in this illustration taken May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
The new Google logo is seen in this illustration taken May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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UK Plans to Increase Control over Google in search

The new Google logo is seen in this illustration taken May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
The new Google logo is seen in this illustration taken May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Britain's competition regulator on Tuesday said it was proposing to designate Google with "strategic market status" to give it greater control over how the US tech giant operates search services.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said steps it could take included making it easier for users to access different search providers and ensuring fair ranking principles for businesses appearing on Google search, Reuters reported.

It also proposed more transparency and control for publishers whose content appeared in search results if it goes ahead with the designation in October.

Google will be the first company designated since the regulator gained new powers this year.

Google said the move could have significant implications for businesses and consumers in Britain.

"We're concerned that the scope of the CMA's considerations remains broad and unfocused, with a range of interventions being considered before any evidence has been provided," said Oliver Bethell, Google's senior director for competition.