According to MCV, Ubisoft are among the front runners in a bid to buy THQ’s assets, the French firm have expressed a keen desire to take over the publisher’s brands and studios once THQ works through its current financial woes.
As we reported earlier in the week here, THQ filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday, handing over its assets in the process – including its studios and US operation – to an investment firm hoping to sell the business on. THQ were quick to reassure that no studios or offices are closing, but it’s clear now that the once giant publisher is firmly on the market.
Sources told MCV that Ubisoft are in advanced talks with the firm in an attempt to forge an agreement, but are holding out for a bargain bucket deal and refuse to pay anything over what their valuation of THQ’s assets are. If successful in the overall acquisition, Ubisoft would take over five studios and gain the rights to brands such as Saints Row, Company of Heroes, Darksiders, Homefront and Red Faction. Plus it would pick up the deals for games based on WWE and some Warhammer properties.
It would then be up to the Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed publisher which of those they wanted to keep running – the most likely being Saints Row and Red Faction due to both franchises long standing history and fan base.
