Ubisoft Hits Hard Again: Two Studios Shut Down, Hundreds Laid Off!

In a significant shakeup, Ubisoft has announced the closure of two more studios located in Winnipeg and Belgrade, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs. Reports indicate that this latest round of layoffs could see up to 380 employees facing unemployment across the company.

The Barcelona branch seems to be hit the hardest, with around 51 staff members set to be laid off, which translates to nearly 28% of their workforce. This studio has been involved with various popular franchises like Assassin’s Creed, The Crew, and Ghost Recon. However, moving forward, they will now focus solely on the Rainbow Six series.

This restructuring comes as Ubisoft’s founding family, led by CEO Yves Guillemot, grapples to maintain control while many employees are losing their jobs. The company is also jumping on the AI bandwagon, investing heavily in generative AI, despite facing some pushback from the gaming community regarding its use in video games.

Internally, Ubisoft is reorganizing into five distinct “creative houses,” each managing different game properties. The largest of these, Vantage Studios, is helmed by Charlie Guillemot, Yves’s son. The management changes have also resulted in the departure of notable figures, including previous leaders of the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

It’s reported that more job cuts, particularly in Ubisoft’s American studios, could be on the horizon. The gaming community is keenly watching how this all unfolds, as the industry continues to navigate through these turbulent waters. Stay tuned for more updates!