Guillemot Dynasty Continues: Yves' Son Charlie Takes the Ubisoft Reigns, Nepotism Doubts Aired (and Addressed?)
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Charlie Guillemot, son of Ubisoft CEO Yves, is now co-CEO of a new Tencent-funded Ubisoft subsidiary, sparking accusations of nepotism that he's trying to bat away faster than Ubisoft can delay a game.
Right, so Ubisoft's gone and done a thing. They've created a new subsidiary, flush with €1.16 billion from Tencent, to handle their big hitters like Assassin's Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry. Standard fare, you might think? Hold onto your hats, mate, because here comes the twist. Ubisoft just named Charlie Guillemot (yes, *that* Guillemot's son) as co-CEO alongside veteran Christophe Derennes.
Now, Derennes is a Ubisoft lifer, practically part of the furniture after 35 years – founded Ubisoft Montreal, no less. Seems a solid, safe pair of hands. Charlie, on the other hand, took a slightly… *scenic* route. He started at Owlient (Ubisoft acquired them), worked on that mobile game *Tom Clancy's Elite Squad* (remember the alt-right BLM conspiracy theory debacle? Yikes!), and *then* jumped ship to co-found Unagi, a company knee-deep in Web3 gaming, AI, and NFTs. Blimey. It's a CV.
Ubisoft's press release paints Charlie as a visionary, a "new generation of leadership focused on innovation, quality, and putting players at the centre of decision-making." Sounds lovely, doesn't it? But the internet smelled something fishy (and it wasn't just the NFTs).
So, Charlie addressed the elephant in the room in an interview with Variety. "Yes, I'm Yves' son," he stated, bravely. "That's not something I hide from. But my appointment isn't only about family ties; it's about what Ubisoft needs at this moment." He reckons his experience inside and outside Ubisoft makes him the right man for the job. And fair play, he deliberately stepped away to broaden his horizons. Can't fault him for trying to forge his own path.
Apparently, the co-CEO dynamic is all about complementary skills. Charlie will be "in charge of the 'what'," focusing on creative direction and marketing. Derennes will handle the "how," diving into production and technology. A classic brains and brawn situation, perhaps?
In another interview, published by Ubisoft, the pair talked about the games industry landscape. Charlie reckons the market's stable (compared to console wars and the rise of online gaming). He thinks standing out is key, with high-quality (perhaps shorter?) content to grab the new generations attention. Derennes, meanwhile, sees opportunities in expanding Ubisoft's franchises beyond games themselves - the whole transmedia shebang.
So, what's the verdict? Is this nepotism in action, or a shrewd move by Ubisoft to inject fresh blood (and Web3 experience, maybe?) into their leadership? Only time will tell, mate. But one thing's for sure: the Guillemot dynasty is far from over. And you have to admire that tenacity.
Tags: Ubisoft, Charlie Guillemot, Yves Guillemot, Tencent, Game Industry
Original article: Eurogamer