Ubisoft is shutting down a studio 16 days after it unionized

Ubisoft is closing a Canadian studio simply over two weeks after it unionized. In a dizzying declare, the corporate informed GamesIndustry.biz that the closure of Ubisoft Halifax was a part of “company-wide actions to streamline operations” and unrelated to the unionization.

On December 22, Ubisoft Halifax introduced that 61 of its employees had joined the Sport & Media Staff Guild of Canada. On the time, the studio’s lead programmer, Jon Huffman, informed CTV Information that 73.8 % of workers voted in favor of unionizing. Ominously in hindsight, he had described the choice as a “big reduction.” The studio was engaged on cell titles throughout the Rainbow Six and Murderer’s Creed franchises.

Ubisoft’s official assertion framed the shutdown as a part of a broader sample of monetary belt-tightening. “Over the previous 24 months, Ubisoft has undertaken company-wide actions to streamline operations, enhance effectivity, and cut back prices,” the corporate stated. “As a part of this, Ubisoft has made the tough determination to shut its Halifax studio. 71 positions shall be affected. We’re dedicated to supporting all impacted staff members throughout this transition with sources, together with complete severance packages and extra profession help.”

In October, Ubisoft introduced that Huge Leisure, developer of The Division collection, Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, was providing buyouts to some workers. The corporate framed that transfer as a “voluntary profession transition program.” Over the previous few years, Ubisoft has closed places of work and laid off employees in San Francisco, London and Leamington. In 2024, the corporate’s headcount dropped by eight %.