Ubisoft CEO says son’s Vantage Studios leadership role wasn’t nepotism

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has responded to criticism over the company putting his son, Charles Guillemot, in a top leadership role at Vantage Studios. In a recent interview, Guillemot argued the decision wasn’t about family ties, saying the studio’s leadership appointments were based on experience and fit for the job.

According to the Variety interview, Guillemot leaned on Ubisoft’s roots as a “family company” and said that long-term continuity is part of how the publisher thinks about building teams and franchises. He also said Charles Guillemot and Christophe Derennes were chosen as co-CEOs of Vantage Studios because they bring “complementary strengths,” and that their track records were the deciding factor.

The interview also touched on broader issues Ubisoft’s been dealing with lately, including canceled projects, internal worker frustration, and the company’s ongoing interest in AI-related initiatives. Guillemot’s answers largely stuck to the same theme: focusing on “core games” and keeping Ubisoft sustainable over the long haul.

He also said Ubisoft is still pushing ahead with live-action movie and TV adaptations based on its IP, even as the company continues to reshuffle its internal structure through these newer “Creative Houses” business units.