The announcement of massive layoffs at Ubisoft has provoked an immediate reaction among the company’s workers, who are preparing for a strike backed by the main unions in the sector.
The surprise was widespread: according to the French Video Game Workers Union, the affected employees received the news at the same time as the press, without there being any prior negotiation or agreement that contemplated measures to mitigate the impact of the cuts.This situation has highlighted the deep gap between Ubisoft’s management and its staff.
The restructuring announced by Ubisoft affects at least 200 employees at the Paris headquarters and is accompanied by the cancellation of several projects, including the long-awaited remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.The lack of communication and the absence of alternatives for those affected have been the triggers for the protest.
Five unions (Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses du jeu vidéo, Solidaires Informatique, CFE-CGC, CGT and Printemps Écologique) have called a strike for February 10, 11 and 12, demanding that teleworking be contemplated and that savings plans do not fall directly on workers.
The crisis at Ubisoft is not reduced to a local issue.The company has begun a “total reset” that includes the cancellation of six video games, the delay of another seven and the intention to continue cutting staff at different headquarters.
The Collective Conventional Breakup at Ubisoft Paris represents the first step in a wave of layoffs that, according to sources cited by Les Echos and Insider Gaming, could affect up to 2,000 employees in the coming months to achieve the goal of reducing 200 million euros in expenses.
The work environment has deteriorated to the point that unions report episodes of crying and “comments about harming themselves or threatening their own lives” among staff, a reflection of the pressure and insecurity experienced by developers.
The mandatory return to in-person work, after years of promoting teleworking, is seen by many as a “disguised layoff” that seeks to reduce the workforce without compensation.
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The company has closed key studios in Europe and North America and canceled multiple projects, in an attempt to adjust to an increasingly competitive and saturated market.
The reorganization strategy includes the creation of five new “creative houses” to manage its main franchises and respond to the demands of its partners and shareholders, especially after the agreement with Tencent, which has provided capital and greater influence in decision-making.
Ubisoft, founded in 1986 by the Guillemot brothers, is one of the historical giants of the video game industry.It has been a pioneer in the development of open worlds and is responsible for iconic franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six and Just Dance.However, the current context has tested its business model and its ability to adapt without sacrificing the well-being of its employees.
The strike called in France may be only the first step in an international mobilization, as unions plan to inform colleagues in other countries about the situation and seek global support.The Ubisoft case reflects the structural tensions that the video game industry is going through, where pressure for profitability and international competition often translate into staff cuts and project cancellations.
The future of Ubisoft, and much of the sector, will depend on how it manages to balance financial sustainability with respect for labor rights and the creativity that has defined the industry since its origins.
