Ubisoft interested in acquiring specific THQ studios and franchises
It has been reported that the Assassin’s Creed publisher Ubisoft is interested in acquiring specific THQ assets, though it is holding out for a bargain deal.
MCV has reported that the France-based publisher has held lengthy discussions with the financially troubled American firm regarding the acquisition of assets, but these discussions have remained somewhat unfruitful.
The reason for this, as per the sources of MCV, is that Ubisoft in only interested in acquiring specific internal studios and intellectual properties (IP) of THQ, whereas the latter is selling the package as a whole instead of dividing and selling its assets
separately.
Failing to convince the struggling America-based publisher so far, Ubisoft is holding out until THQ is forced to sell off its specific assets.
Ubisoft’s interest in THQ’s assets is no secret, with the company’s CEO Yves Guillemot stating quite clearly that he would consider purchasing some of THQ’s franchises.
"They have good things," he said. "We are always interested in good brands. For sure, it's something we can consider, but I can't tell you more."
He said that every time the video game industry undergoes transition, there are some companies that get left behind or are forced to change direction, while other companies manage to adapt to the change and therefore survive.
“What happened to [THQ] is something that happens regularly when we have transition,” he said. “Some can make it, some decide to go in different direction. It happened with Atari and Midway and also Acclaim last generation. ... It's something that happens
in this industry and that's the way the industry consolidates.”
After going through an extended period of financial crisis, THQ filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and put its assets for sale.
The company’s president Jason Rubin said that filing for bankruptcy is not the end of THQ or its franchises, but is in fact a new beginning.
He assured the fans that the development team is continuing to work on games, some of which have already been revealed while some of them are still unannounced.
The frontrunner for acquisition of THQ assets is Clearlake & Company, a subsidiary of the private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group.
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