Movies

Will Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed Save Ubisoft from Financial Ruin?

BBG News

Netflix has given the go-ahead for a live-action television show, potentially providing a temporary reprieve to a struggling publishing company, based on the popular video game franchise, Assassin’s Creed, by Ubisoft.

The announcement, which came on July 17, 2025, has been made after approximately five years of work following the initial collaboration between Netflix and Ubisoft, a partnership that was revealed in 2020.

Roberto Patino (known for his work on DMZ, Westworld, and Sons of Anarchy) and David Wiener (renowned for Halo, Homecoming, and The Killing) are slated to assume roles as creators, series managers, and executive producers, leveraging their expertise in narrative and futuristic storytelling.

The show is characterized as a fast-paced, action-packed thriller. It revolves around the covert struggle between two old factions – the Templars, who seek to control humanity’s destiny through force and cunning, and the Assassins, who seemingly uphold freedom of choice.

Exploring significant events in history, this story tackles various themes like purpose, identity, fate, belief, power, aggression, avarice, and retribution. Patino and Wiener highlight, however, that beneath its layers, the series primarily investigates “the importance of human relationships, transcending cultures and time periods,” and the potential perils when these bonds weaken.

Patino and Wiener have openly expressed their enthusiasm for the show ever since it first aired in 2007, with sales of more than 230 million copies worldwide to date.

We’ve been enthusiasts of Assassin’s Creed since its debut in 2007. Each day spent working on this project leaves us exhilarated and awestruck by the potential it holds. They emphasized the unique combination of action-packed activities like parkour with deep, thought-provoking human conflicts, promising to create an engaging experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.

Peter Friedlander, Netflix’s vice president of scripted series, commented on the milestone as well.

The Netflix executive expressed that when we initially unveiled our alliance with Ubisoft back in 2020, we aimed high to breathe life into the vast, intricate universe of Assassin’s Creed like never before. After years of diligent cooperation, it’s truly awe-inspiring to witness how far that vision has evolved.

The team responsible for production has been expanded to include executive producers Gerard Guillemot, Margaret Boykin (who is also the head of content at Ubisoft Film & Television), Austin Dill from Ubisoft Film & Television, and Matt O’Toole. Margaret Boykin, in particular, showed great excitement about this expansion.

He expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with Roberto, David, and our Netflix associates to transform this cherished franchise into a TV series,” (he) stated.

This new adaptation finds a place among Netflix’s collection of productions inspired by video games, including “Castlevania”, “Arcane”, “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners”, and the upcoming “Splinter Cell: Deathwatch”. Previously, the franchise attempted a cinematic release in 2016 with Michael Fassbender, but it garnered criticism for not effectively conveying the spirit of the games. It managed to generate $240 million globally, though.

Ubisoft’s Catastrophic Year

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m closely watching the developments surrounding the potential Assassin’s Creed production on Netflix. This announcement comes at a time when Ubisoft, the mighty French video game company, seems to be grappling with significant challenges that may signal its twilight moments.

On May 14, 2025, Ubisoft revealed its annual earnings for the 2024-25 financial year, portraying a continuous drop in performance. The total revenue from sales dropped by 20.5% compared to the previous year, amounting to €1.85 billion. Additionally, the company reported a loss of €159 million.

For the period ending December 31, 2024, revenue decreased significantly by 31.4%, landing at approximately €990 million. In the third quarter alone, income experienced a steep decline of 47.5%, amounting to €318 million. Sales for the first half of the year dropped by 19.6%, totaling €672 million. Additionally, digital net bookings saw a decrease of 26.5%, resulting in €527 million during this period.

These poor results are due to a long list of setbacks, including frequent postponements, disappointing releases like “Star Wars Outlaws”, and a weakening library of content that is no longer profitable for the business.

In the aftermath of the report, I found myself witnessing a dramatic drop in the value of Ubisoft’s stock. Analysts, speaking candidly, described the company’s future as both dismal and bleak.

Yves Guillemot, the CEO, tried to emphasize a strong financial position and the impact of Assassin’s Creed games, yet the forecasts for FY 2025-26 – predicting steady revenue, break-even non-IFRS operating income, and negative cash flow – provide little comfort.

Broadscale job cuts, closure of studios, and a team working towards saving €200 million emphasize the urgent need for change, sparking rumors about the company’s possible collapse.

The heavy reliance of Ubisoft on long-established series such as Assassin’s Creed has shown to be detrimental, merely concealing underlying systemic problems. In the past six months, their total earnings decreased by 21.9%, primarily due to underperforming live-service games and a saturated market. As experts point out, even the effort to revive the company through Assassin’s Creed has failed to deliver, placing Ubisoft in a precarious position.

To save their struggling company, Ubisoft has formed a contentious partnership with the Chinese corporation Tencent. As part of this arrangement, they have spun off their prized intellectual properties into a separate subsidiary.

In March 2025, it was announced that Tencent would invest $1.25 billion for a 25% stake in Ubisoft, a company controlling popular franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six. This deal is set to be finalized by the end of the year. Although Ubisoft maintains majority ownership, critics have labeled it as selling off valuable assets at a discounted price. This move allows Ubisoft to reduce its debt while giving up some control over its profitable core.

The Debacle and Utter Failure of Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The primary cause of Ubisoft’s decline can be traced back to “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” a game released on March 20, 2025, following several postponements from its initial November 2024 launch date.

Critics strongly criticized Ubisoft for significant historical inaccuracies, using cultural elements without respect, and pushing a controversial “woke” perspective. There was a lot of upset about aspects such as disrespecting sacred sites and narratives driven by diversity and inclusion initiatives that drove away their core fanbase. The reaction grew to include formal complaints from Japanese officials and viral movements condemning the game for its lack of sensitivity.

Instead of hailing success, the game “Shadows” was met with both commercial and critical failure. While Ubisoft initially claimed over 1 million players soon after its release, closer examination reveals a disaster: sales unable to surpass earlier titles such as “Valhalla”, a rapid loss of players within just a few weeks, and earnings that further weakened an already struggling company.

By May 2025, Ubisoft’s financial reports hinted at the game’s underperformance, which played a part in the overall decrease in their earnings.

As the Netflix adaptation of Assassin’s Creed gets underway, there’s hope that it could provide a short-term financial boost for Ubisoft. However, with the publisher facing significant challenges, doubts linger. Will this adaptation rejuvenate the franchise or will it fall into the same traps? In light of Ubisoft’s current struggles, the odds appear bleak.

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2025-07-17 21:01

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