Ubisoft Investor Relations Material

Ubisoft Entertainment SA, also known as Ubisoft, is a France-based company that develops and publishes video games globally. Founded in 1986 by the Guillemot brothers, the company has grown into a prominent entity in the gaming industry, with an array of established franchises and an international presence that spans multiple continents.

The company was established in 1986 by the five Guillemot brothers, who were initially involved in mail-order sales of technology products. As the potential of video games started to become more apparent, the brothers saw an opportunity to shift their business focus toward this emerging market. They moved beyond simply importing and distributing software to creating their own

The early days of Ubisoft were marked by the development of a handful of games, mostly for Amstrad CPC, a popular home computer in Europe at the time. The first title released was "Zombi," a small-scale adventure game. The company didn't have a huge hit in the beginning but gradually gained traction in the industry by consistently creating innovative and enjoyable games. The company's transition to game development and publishing proved to be a strategic masterstroke, setting the stage for Ubisoft's evolution into a globally recognized brand in the gaming industry. Today, they’re one of the largest players in the industry along with other studios and producers such as Take-Two, EA, and Activision-Blizzard (acquired by Microsoft in 2023)

Ubisoft's catalog of games is broad and varied. It ranges from the action-adventure genre, represented by the Assassin's Creed series, to rhythm games like Just Dance. The company has also created notable franchises like Prince of Persia and Rainbow Six. The varying nature of Ubisoft's products enables it to cater to diverse audience preferences, making the company a fan favorite amongst many gamers.

Ubisoft employs various monetization strategies for its games. Traditionally, the company has followed the model of premium game sales, where consumers purchase the complete game upfront. However, in the evolving landscape of gaming, Ubisoft has adapted by introducing new monetization models such as microtransactions and downloadable content (DLC). This allows the company to continuously generate revenue post-purchase by offering additional content or in-game enhancements. Ubisoft has also been experimenting with subscription-based services, as seen with Ubisoft+, providing access to a library of games for a monthly fee.