“We want to know what’s going on.” Many Ubisoft employees are expressing deep concern about their job security following the €1.16 billion partnership with Tencent. The deal establishes a joint venture to manage the Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed, and Rainbow Six franchises, raising numerous questions within the company.
In a game-changing move for the industry, Ubisoft and Tencent have entered a strategic alliance that may significantly reshape the trajectory of three of Ubisoft’s most prominent series. The agreement involves €1.16 billion in funding and the creation of a new company solely focused on Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. While this is intended to enhance the global success of these brands, it has triggered waves of uncertainty among staff.
According to Insider Gaming, a considerable number of employees fear potential layoffs, especially at studios not directly working on these franchises. A leaked internal email attempted to reassure staff: “I want to be clear: if you don’t currently work on these brands, it doesn’t mean your job is any less important. This agreement will benefit all of Ubisoft, giving us the resources to drive innovation and creativity across the board.”
Still, skepticism persists. One employee commented: “They can say these things in emails, but at the end of the day, we think we know what the priorities are.” Another said: “We just want to know what’s going on. We were promised transparency and regular communication, but we’ll see if that actually happens. I’d like to think our team is okay right now, but we don’t know.”
What Could This Mean for Players?
For gamers, the Tencent-Ubisoft deal could result in improved quality and expanded content for the flagship series. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is already gaining traction, Rainbow Six Siege is being completely revamped, and multiple Far Cry projects are underway. Tencent will be involved in decision-making, but creative control remains with Ubisoft. The joint initiative includes development across studios in Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Barcelona, and Sofia.
Ubisoft’s other IPs remain active. Titles based on The Division, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, Prince of Persia, Just Dance, Rayman, For Honor, The Crew, Anno, Skull & Bones, Immortals, and Beyond Good & Evil continue development. The full impact of Tencent’s involvement on these properties will become clearer in the years to come.
Leave a Reply