devmod
User
Jan 26, 2005, 10:41 AM
Post #1 of 1
(546 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Ubisoft Trying to Prevent EA Takeover
|
Can't Post
|
|
Yves Guillemot said a tie-up with Gameloft, in which his family holds a controlling stake, was "one of the things we are looking at," along with a deal with other potential investors.
Analysts say a merger between the two software companies could strengthen the Guillemot family's hand against a possible takeover bid from Electronic Arts, which announced last month it had bought almost 20 percent of Ubisoft.
Analysts say Electronic Arts' acquisition could be the prelude to a full takeover bid or a defensive step to prevent Ubisoft falling into a competitor's hands. Ubisoft said soon after the announcement that it considered the move as hostile, while Electronic Arts, the world's No.1 video games publisher, initially said it bought the stake to preserve its "strategic options."
It has since softened its tone, saying it spoke to Ubisoft and others about "partnerships" — while still not ruling out a takeover bid. In the absence of help a merger between Gameloft and Ubisoft could give the Guillemots a holding in the combined entity that would be just short of the 'blocking minority' required to thwart a takeover.
That could leave the future of France's biggest games software company in the hands of a state-owned bank, the Caisse des Depots et Consignations, which owns 6 percent of Ubisoft.
Ubisoft said Thursday that its guidance for the year was unchanged, with fourth-quarter revenue expected to top 220 million euros ($285 million) and earnings before interest and tax of 40 million to 45 million euros ($52 million-$58 million) in the full year to March 31, 2005.
|
