Ubisoft Plans Against Possible Takeover

Rumors of a potential takeover bid for Ubisoft by Electronic Arts have abounded since EA's purchase of 20% of Ubisoft stock, with some unlikely parties allegedly stepping in to forestall a possible merger. Ubisoft chairman Yves Guillemot, however, has his own plan to thwart any takeover bids, from EA or any other parties interested in acquiring the French games company -- though he won't yet reveal what his plan entails. "All the strategies have been studied, and we have a plan, which I cannot reveal, that will allow us to win in this matter, that is to say to keep the creativity that constitutes Ubisoft's value today," said Guillemot in a French radio interview. Guillemot, who along with his brothers owns 17.5 percent of the company and 26.5 percent of the vote, also mentioned that he intends to keep Ubisoft as an independent entity, and has no plans to merge with Vivendi Universal or any other company merely to fend off an EA buyout. In possibly linked Ubisoft merger rumors, the company is reportedly looking to merge with Gameloft, the Ubisoft mobile gaming subsidiary which previously span off into its own company. Gameloft is worth $237 million, and wholesale acquisition of the company could give the Guillemot family enough voting control to block any move made by EA.