Ubisoft and Tencent have officially launched a new collaborative entity named Vantage Studios, marking a significant evolution in their strategic partnership. Helmed by Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot, this ambitious billion-dollar initiative represents what Ubisoft describes as "the next phase in its ongoing transformation," with a dedicated focus on some of its most iconic gaming series.

The foundation for this collaboration was laid several years ago when Tencent acquired a 49.9% stake in Guillemot Brothers Limited, the holding company controlled by Ubisoft's founding family. This strategic investment, valued at approximately €300 million (over $350 million), also granted Tencent a 5% voting rights stake in Ubisoft. The transaction positioned Tencent, already a major investor in numerous gaming studios, as Ubisoft's largest shareholder, with potential to increase its overall stake to 17%. This partnership stands as one of Tencent's most substantial gaming industry investments, and the relationship continues to deepen with this latest venture.

Vantage Studios will specifically concentrate on the development and expansion of three cornerstone Ubisoft franchises: Rainbow Six, Assassin's Creed, and Far Cry. According to Ubisoft's official announcement, the new subsidiary will incorporate development teams from Ubisoft studios located across Montreal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Barcelona, and Sofia. Tencent has committed €1.2 billion ($1.25 billion) to Vantage Studios, securing approximately 25% ownership of the new entity, while Ubisoft maintains the remaining majority stake.

This joint venture follows months of industry speculation about Tencent's potential acquisition of Ubisoft, which ultimately evolved into a more focused collaboration involving specific intellectual properties. Initial details about the Ubisoft-Tencent subsidiary emerged in March 2025, though the venture remained unnamed at that time. The partnership's stated objectives include enhancing single-player narrative experiences, expanding multiplayer content offerings through more frequent updates, and integrating advanced social features across these major franchises.

The establishment of Vantage Studios represents an exciting development for the gaming community, as it promises developers greater creative autonomy to realize their vision while incorporating player feedback more effectively. With this substantial investment and collaborative framework, fans of Rainbow Six, Far Cry, and Assassin's Creed are eagerly anticipating how Vantage Studios will elevate these beloved franchises to new heights of quality and innovation.