14 DAY TRIAL // It is no longer a secret for anybody that, in a few years, the gaming industry will have just a few huge companies fighting for the number 1 spot, while small, independent game developers and publishers will continuously be swallowed by the big guys. Which is a scary and completely wrong thing, but we're not going to talk about it now.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot told French magazine Les Echos (quoted by Develop) that the company has $1.2 billion (780 million Euros) ready to be spent on acquiring game studios and publishers to help maintain the company's continuous and rapid growth. Guillemont admitted that such measures have to be taken if the company plans not to be left behind following the Activision - Blizzard merger or the potential EA - Take Two deal.
Even though there are no clear plans at the moment (or, at least, Guillemont hasn't detailed them), Ubisoft has already expanded its business in the world, opening new studios in Eastern Europe and Asia and all the huge companies seem to be starting to understand that these previously ignored countries might be holding real treasures when it comes to gaming development.
However, there are few certain things when it comes to Ubisoft's future: new game genres will be welcome to the company's portfolio, as well as a host of new properties and deals with external developers. Also, Ubisoft might go to Hollywood, since Guillemont said again that it is possible for the company to start producing CG movies (they will start with some mini series to test the waters and eventually move to full length productions). And they're not the only company planning to expand their computer and video game business as much as possible - we reported last week that Capcom also has similar plans.