Ubisoft Workers Stage International Strike Amid Layoffs and RTO Backlash
Tensions are boiling over at Ubisoft. Thousands of employees are pushing back against sweeping changes that include job reductions, canceled projects, studio closures, and a controversial return-to-office (RTO) policy. Now, the situation has escalated into a coordinated international strike.
As of this week, Ubisoft workers are in the middle of a three-day walkout, with at least 1,200 employees participating—primarily in France and Milan. The protest marks one of the most significant labor actions in the company’s history and highlights deep frustration among staff following a series of corporate shakeups.
What Sparked the Strike?
The strike comes on the heels of several major developments inside Ubisoft:
- Plans to cut up to 200 jobs at its Paris headquarters
- The cancellation of six upcoming titles, including the highly anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake
- Delays affecting seven additional projects
- The dismissal of a veteran Assassin’s Creed developer who publicly criticized company decisions
- A strict mandate requiring employees to work in the office five days a week
Ubisoft described these changes as part of a “major organizational, operational and portfolio reset.” Internally, however, many employees see it differently.
In a joint statement published on Jan. 28, five French unions called on Ubisoft staff worldwide to participate in a walkout from Feb. 10–12. The message was clear: management must be held accountable.
“It is time for leadership to understand they cannot act without consequences,” the unions stated, criticizing what they described as misleading communication and questionable decision-making.
Return-to-Office Policy Fuels Outrage
While layoffs and project cancellations are serious concerns, the return-to-office policy has become a major flashpoint.
Ubisoft now requires all remaining employees to work on-site full-time. This shift is particularly controversial because many staff members were hired under fully remote contracts and live hours away from the nearest office.
According to representatives from the French game workers’ union STJV, for some employees the RTO mandate effectively forces resignation. Relocating isn’t feasible for everyone, and returning to the office daily simply isn’t possible for those who moved during the remote-work era.
Critics argue that the policy may be a strategic way to reduce headcount without paying full severance packages.
Job Cuts Through RCC Process
Ubisoft confirmed it plans to eliminate up to 200 positions in Paris—about 18% of the 1,100 employees based there—through a Rupture Conventionnelle Collective (RCC) process. This approach allows unionized employees to negotiate severance terms collectively.
While technically voluntary, the process unfolds during a period of instability that has left many workers feeling cornered.
The company framed the layoffs as part of an “acceleration of cost-reduction initiatives.” Meanwhile, Ubisoft’s stock price has fallen to its lowest point in 15 years, underscoring the financial pressure behind these moves.
Global Workforce, Growing Frustration
Ubisoft employs approximately 17,000 people worldwide across Europe, North America, and Asia. The scale of the strike reflects widespread concern beyond just one studio or region.
The unions involved in organizing the protest include:
- CGT
- CFE-CGC
- Printemps écologique
- Solidaires Informatique
- Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses du jeu vidéo (STJV)
News of the strike first surfaced through French financial outlet Les Echos in late January. Since then, images and videos from the demonstrations have circulated on social media, including footage of Ubisoft employees in Milan rallying in the rain.
A Company at a Crossroads
Ubisoft’s recent turbulence comes during a challenging period for the gaming industry at large. Rising development costs, shifting player expectations, and market competition have pushed many publishers into restructuring mode.
Still, the backlash at Ubisoft highlights a broader debate about workplace culture in the gaming sector—particularly around remote work, transparency, and employee rights.
As the three-day strike unfolds, all eyes are on Ubisoft’s leadership. Whether this protest results in meaningful dialogue or deeper division remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Ubisoft’s internal struggles are no longer behind closed doors.
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