Ubisoft Employees Raise Concerns Over Potential Saudi Arabia Partnership
Reports indicate that a number of Ubisoft employees have expressed significant unease regarding the company's potential business collaborations with Saudi Arabia. These concerns, initially surfacing in early 2025 according to gaming publication Game File, stem from a high-profile visit made by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot.
The Genesis of Concern
The core of the apprehension traces back to 2024, when Yves Guillemot accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron on a diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia. During this visit, Guillemot met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other key leaders from the kingdom. Following this, employees began to question the ethical implications of Ubisoft engaging in negotiations with representatives of a country whose leaders, specifically the Crown Prince, have been implicated in accusations of crimes against humanity.
A representative from Ubisoft's Social and Economic Committee reportedly confronted company management directly, asking whether entering into contracts with individuals accused of such crimes would further damage Ubisoft's corporate reputation. In response, management emphasized that Guillemot's participation in the trip was viewed as Ubisoft's contribution to France's “soft power” diplomacy. They also declined to comment on the ongoing rumors surrounding potential deals.
Management's Stance and Employee Skepticism
Ubisoft leadership further attempted to distinguish between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom the U.S. has identified as responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The company stated that the PIF's funds should not be equated with the Prince's personal finances. However, the Social and Economic Committee found this stance “naive,” noting that a direct answer regarding the potential impact on the company's image was still unaddressed.
Alleged Deal and Confirmed DLC
Adding fuel to the fire, a French newspaper, Les Echos, reported in January 2025 that Ubisoft had allegedly forged a partnership with Savvy Games Group, a gaming entity owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. This supposed deal was rumored to involve the creation of a downloadable content (DLC) expansion for Assassin's Creed Mirage. This report directly conflicted with earlier statements from the game's developers, who had previously indicated that no DLC was planned for the title.
While Ubisoft has not officially confirmed any deal with Savvy Games Group or a direct partnership with Saudi Arabia, the company did announce on August 23, 2025, that a free DLC for Assassin's Creed Mirage would be released. Intriguingly, this new content will be set in the 9th-century city of Al-Ula, located within Saudi Arabia.
Unanswered Funding Questions
When pressed on whether the Saudi Public Investment Fund was financing this new Assassin's Creed Mirage DLC, a Ubisoft representative offered a circumspect response. They stated that the creation of the expansion was made possible through “the support of local and international organizations, access to experts and historians,” which helped ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the recreated world. The company chose not to disclose any further details regarding the nature of this collaboration or its funding sources.
What This Means for Players
Despite the ongoing internal concerns and the lack of clarity surrounding its partnerships, Ubisoft is moving forward with new content for players. Regardless of who is funding the expansion for Assassin's Creed Mirage, players can look forward to exploring the new DLC before the end of the year. It will be available on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), Xbox, and PlayStation platforms, offering a new historical setting to explore within the game world.
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