Is Ubisoft finally considering a sale? Today’s Pixel P&L explores the latest developments at the French gaming powerhouse. We also dive into why Disney+ Hotstar is dropping several anime titles, China’s surprising new restrictions on gaming hours, Candy Crush Saga’s latest release, and more.
Ubisoft Delays Assassin’s Creed Shadows Again, Eyes Strategic Overhaul Amid Financial Woes
Ubisoft has announced a further delay for Assassin's Creed Shadows, now scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, after initially pushing it from November 2024 to February 2025. The company cited the need for more development time to enhance gameplay quality and address player feedback, particularly following the underwhelming reception of recent titles like Star Wars Outlaws.
In a strategic update, Ubisoft also revealed it has appointed "leading advisors" to explore various "transformational strategic and capitalistic options," which may include a potential buyout. CEO Yves Guillemot emphasized that this initiative aims to maximize stakeholder value and will be overseen by independent board members.
The decision comes amid significant financial challenges; Ubisoft's latest quarterly report showed a 22% drop in net bookings year-over-year, totaling €642 million ($678 million) in the first half of fiscal 2025. The company has also reduced its full-year revenue forecast to €1.9 billion ($2.01 billion), down from €1.95 billion ($2.07 billion). These developments have raised concerns about Ubisoft's financial stability and fueled speculation about a possible acquisition by Tencent, which already holds a substantial stake in the company.
Disney+ Hotstar Drops Anime Hits Ahead of JioCinema Merger
Disney+ Hotstar has removed several popular anime titles from its platform in India, including Dr. Stone, Heavenly Delusion, and Summer Time Rendering. This decision comes just days before the anticipated merger between Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Company's media assets, which will see Disney+ Hotstar integrate with Reliance's JioCinema.
The removal of these titles has sparked disappointment among fans, particularly since many were exclusive to Disney+ Hotstar in India. Despite the lack of an official explanation for this content purge, industry speculation suggests it may be related to the upcoming merger, aimed at streamlining offerings across the newly formed entity.
As part of the transition, Disney+ Hotstar is expected to retain a robust anime library while also integrating JioCinema's content. The merger is poised to reshape India's streaming landscape significantly, with a combined catalog of over 200,000 hours of content
Quick Bytes
China Caps Kids’ Gaming Time to 15 Hours Monthly During School Break
Chinese regulators have imposed strict limits on video game play for minors from January 13 to February 13. This measure aims to combat gaming addiction among youth. Tencent and NetEase, the country's largest gaming companies, confirmed their compliance with these regulations.
King Announces Candy Crush Solitaire Launch
The new game is set to debut on February 6, 2025, for mobile devices. This new game combines traditional TriPeaks solitaire mechanics with beloved features from the Candy Crush franchise, including familiar power-ups and boosters. Pre-registration is currently open for both Android and iOS users, offering exclusive rewards such as unique card backs and in-game currency.
Nazara Launches Second Beta for FAU-G: Domination
Currently scheduled for January 12, 2025, the beta will feature enhanced gameplay, updated maps, and improved mechanics based on player feedback. Pre-registration is currently available for Android devices, offering exclusive in-game rewards such as the Beast Collection. This initiative aims to refine the game ahead of its official release, following successful playtests in various Indian cities.
Did You Know
In November 2021, Denuvo DRM accidentally made a ton of games unplayable because they forgot to renew a domain name called ‘codefusion.technology!’ Titles like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and Football Manager 2022 threw up "server not reachable" errors, highlighting the vulnerabilities of DRM systems that rely on online verification. Although the domain was eventually renewed, the episode sparked widespread frustration among gamers during the outage.
Quote of the Day
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Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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