From Brittany farmers to global gaming giant: the turbulent history of Ubisoft

Art · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded by five brothers in 1986, Ubisoft grew from a mail-order computer business into a titan of interactive entertainment. Despite creating iconic franchises like Assassin's Creed and Rayman, the company has navigated hostile takeover attempts, internal cultural crises, and shifting market demands that continue to reshape its future today.

The origins of Ubisoft trace back to the Guillemot family in Brittany, France. In 1984, the five brothers—Christian, Claude, Gérard, Michel, and Yves—founded Guillemot Informatique, a mail-order business that undercut local competitors by up to 50%. By 1986, they established Ubi Soft Entertainment to capitalize on the burgeoning video game market. The company’s early years were defined by a unique development culture, initially centered in a family chateau in Brittany, before expanding into a global network of studios including Montreal and Shanghai by the late 1990s.

Ubisoft’s growth was marked by aggressive expansion and strategic acquisitions. The company secured the Tom Clancy's series by purchasing Red Storm Entertainment in 2000 and later acquired the Prince of Persia and Myst intellectual properties. However, this rapid scaling brought challenges. By the mid-2010s, the company faced a hostile takeover attempt from Vivendi, which acquired a significant stake in the firm. The Guillemot family successfully fought off this threat, eventually securing a partnership with Tencent in 2018 to bolster their independence and expand into the Chinese market.

Recent years have tested the company’s resilience. In 2020, Ubisoft faced a wave of sexual misconduct allegations, leading to the departure of key executives like Chief Content Officer Serge Hascoët. Simultaneously, the firm has struggled with financial stagnation, reporting a strong decline in revenue in 2024 and announcing 700 layoffs in 2025. As the company pivots toward a mix of AAA releases, mobile games, and freemium experiences, it continues to grapple with the need to balance creative autonomy with the demands of a volatile global market.

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