Ubisoft Laid Off 185 Employees and Shut Down a Studio For “More Efficient Operating Models”

Following a recent announcement about letting go of 185 employees and closing one of its studios, Ubisoft appears to have described this action in an internal memo as a step taken towards discovering more effective operational methods and securing our future prosperity.

As reported by Insider Gaming, an internal memo disclosed details about recent job cuts. Specifically, approximately 65 employees at Ubisoft Dusseldorf, around 100 from both Ubisoft Leamington and Reflections, and roughly 20 staff members from Ubisoft Stockholm were let go. Distinctively, Ubisoft Leamington was the only studio out of these that was permanently closed down.

The memo further discusses the rationale for the layoffs, which Director Benedikt Grindel of Production Zone 4 attributes to a focus on streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of our studios’ operations.

Grindel acknowledged that these changes might bring uncertainties, but he’s determined to help anyone affected through this transition period,” he said. “Rest assured, these decisions weren’t taken lightly; they were made with the intention of enhancing our operational effectiveness and securing the longevity of our studios, division, and company as a whole.

In a straightforward manner, Thomas Andren, managing director of Ubisoft Stockholm, along with the team, discussed the challenging nature of the decision that was made regarding Production Zone 3.

He pointed out that the consequences of this choice extend beyond the studio and its ventures, affecting our coworkers, partners, and companions. He acknowledged how challenging this situation might be and emphasized that our top concern is helping everyone navigate through this transformation.

Andren’s message to the team was that, although challenging, the adjustments made yesterday aim to help us discover better ways of functioning and secure our long-term prosperity. This initiative stems from a firm belief: our capacity to continuously generate and manage distinctive, potent, and widely-loved brands, not just in video games but beyond them as well.

Initially called FreeStyleGames, the studio now known as Ubisoft Leamington previously developed popular series like DJ Hero. Following its acquisition by Ubisoft, the studio underwent a name change and started supporting major Ubisoft releases such as Far Cry 5 and Star Wars Outlaws.

In a statement regarding job cuts, Ubisoft explained that they are implementing strategic restructurings at several studios – Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Ubisoft Stockholm, Ubisoft Reflections, and will be closing down Ubisoft Leamington site. This decision affects 185 employees in total. The company expressed their appreciation for the work done by these team members and pledged to assist them during this period of transition.

There are whispers of a potential partnership between the Guillemot family, founders of Ubisoft, and Tencent, which could involve creating a new business venture. This collaboration might leverage some of Ubisoft’s existing resources with the aim of boosting the company’s total worth. Additionally, Ubisoft has made public its intention to bring on board consultants tasked with finding ways to maximize the value of the company’s various assets.

Ubisoft is readying itself to debut “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” on March 20th. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. In addition, it will launch concurrently with the Animus Hub, which will function as the main base for the franchise moving forward. For further information regarding the game, you can watch interviews about how one of the main characters lacks assassin abilities, as well as demonstrations of the new accessibility options and features that the game offers.

2025-01-29 16:11

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