Ubisoft Staff Against Saudi Arabia Deal

Drama

12 September 2025 12:46

Ubisoft staff have raised internal concerns about the company’s alleged dealings with Saudi Arabia, following a 2024 trip by CEO Yves Guillemot and other Ubisoft leaders to the country with French president Emmanuel Macron. During the trip, they met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) and other Saudi officials, leading to questions from Ubisoft’s staff about the ethical implications of these relationships.

According to a September 10, 2025, report by Game File’s Stephen Totilo, a representative from Ubisoft’s Social and Economic Committee (CSE) directly questioned management about the potential fallout from working with Saudi Arabia. The staff member asked whether pursuing contracts with figures like MBS, who has been accused of ordering the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, could negatively impact Ubisoft’s image, especially considering the company’s current public struggles.

Ubisoft’s management reportedly responded by framing Guillemot’s involvement in the trip as part of Ubisoft’s contribution to France’s "soft power." They also emphasized that they do not comment on rumors, and suggested there was a distinction between MBS and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is separate from the crown prince’s personal wealth.

"Talking with partners who do not share our democratic values does not mean abandoning them," Ubisoft management is said to have stated.

However, the CSE pushed back, calling the management’s response "naive" and highlighting the lack of a clear answer regarding how the company’s ties to Saudi Arabia could impact its public image.

In January 2025, following the trip, the French publication Les Echos reported that Ubisoft had entered a partnership with Savvy Games Group, a company owned by Saudi Arabia’s PIF. This deal allegedly involved creating downloadable content (DLC) for Assassin’s Creed Mirage, despite earlier statements by Ubisoft developers that the game would not feature any DLC plans.

Tags: Ubisoft

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Ubisoft Staff Against Saudi Arabia Deal

Drama

12 September 2025 12:46

Tags: Ubisoft

Ubisoft staff have raised internal concerns about the company’s alleged dealings with Saudi Arabia, following a 2024 trip by CEO Yves Guillemot and other Ubisoft leaders to the country with French president Emmanuel Macron. During the trip, they met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) and other Saudi officials, leading to questions from Ubisoft’s staff about the ethical implications of these relationships.

According to a September 10, 2025, report by Game File’s Stephen Totilo, a representative from Ubisoft’s Social and Economic Committee (CSE) directly questioned management about the potential fallout from working with Saudi Arabia. The staff member asked whether pursuing contracts with figures like MBS, who has been accused of ordering the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, could negatively impact Ubisoft’s image, especially considering the company’s current public struggles.

Ubisoft’s management reportedly responded by framing Guillemot’s involvement in the trip as part of Ubisoft’s contribution to France’s "soft power." They also emphasized that they do not comment on rumors, and suggested there was a distinction between MBS and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is separate from the crown prince’s personal wealth.

"Talking with partners who do not share our democratic values does not mean abandoning them," Ubisoft management is said to have stated.

However, the CSE pushed back, calling the management’s response "naive" and highlighting the lack of a clear answer regarding how the company’s ties to Saudi Arabia could impact its public image.

In January 2025, following the trip, the French publication Les Echos reported that Ubisoft had entered a partnership with Savvy Games Group, a company owned by Saudi Arabia’s PIF. This deal allegedly involved creating downloadable content (DLC) for Assassin’s Creed Mirage, despite earlier statements by Ubisoft developers that the game would not feature any DLC plans.

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