Juraj Krúpa, CEO of AJ Investments and minority shareholder in Ubisoft, plans a protest outside the company’s Paris office in May, criticizing its leadership for lacking a clear financial recovery strategy and withholding information from investors. He cites delays in the release of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* as evidence of mismanagement. Despite his vocal stance, Krúpa’s influence as a minor shareholder may be limited, raising questions about his motivations and the potential impact of his protest.
An Unheeded Call to Action
Juraj Krúpa, the CEO of AJ Investments and a minority shareholder in Ubisoft, has made headlines as he organizes a protest outside Ubisoft’s Paris office scheduled for next May. IGN reports that he is voicing concerns about the company’s leadership, alleging they lack a transparent strategy for financial recovery and are withholding critical information from investors.
Krúpa claims, based on an article from MergerMarket, that Ubisoft was engaged in discussions with major publishers, including EA and Microsoft, regarding the sale of certain licenses, yet failed to inform shareholders. He highlights the numerous delays of Assassin’s Creed Shadows as indicative of the company’s mismanagement:
“The management has delayed the release of its pivotal title, Assassin’s Creed, to July 18, 2024. Ubisoft had previously affirmed its yearly forecasts alongside the intended November 15, 2024 launch for AC Shadows. However, just months later, they postponed the release again in September 2024, adjusting their projections. After a third delay, the game is now set to release on March 20, 2025. These setbacks have significantly impacted stock prices, predominantly affecting individual investors with limited capacity to adapt their holdings.”
While there is much debate surrounding Ubisoft’s decision-making processes, one cannot overlook the necessity of ensuring Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches in optimal condition, especially given the troubled launches of previous titles. Krúpa seems to be navigating the complex landscape of the gaming industry, where delays are often par for the course.
A Controversial Figure in the Gaming Industry
Protests from shareholders are a rarity, and while Juraj Krúpa is no stranger to the spotlight—having penned an open letter to Ubisoft’s management last September—his standing as a minority shareholder lacks significant weight. AJ Investments holds a minor stake in Ubisoft, and despite his vocal criticisms, Krúpa’s influence may be overstated.
Krúpa is a relatively new entrant to Ubisoft’s shareholder base, having invested only a few months ago when the stock was already on a downward trend. He joined just as Star Wars Outlaws was gearing up for release and Assassin’s Creed Shadows was initially slated for a year-end launch. This suggests he might be a strategic investor looking to capitalize on a potential rebound following these releases. Previously, he was a shareholder in Activision-Blizzard, which was acquired by Blizzard, and may have anticipated a similar buyout scenario for Ubisoft.
Considering Ubisoft’s longstanding challenges, it’s likely that AJ Investments was aware of these issues prior to acquiring shares. Therefore, Krúpa’s surprise at the current state of affairs raises eyebrows. Whether he will actually follow through with the protest remains uncertain, but only time will tell.