Ubisoft is currently locked in a battle against itself, and the most severe consequences are yet to unfold. The crisis taking shape is expected to carry a heavy human cost. The company’s restructuring puts up to 2,000 jobs at risk, raises the specter of strikes, and has already sent Ubisoft’s stock into a sharp decline.
Ubisoft had been struggling for years even before announcing its so-called “reboot.” The French publisher faced repeated delays, project cancellations, layoffs, and releases that failed to meet commercial expectations, steadily eroding confidence among investors and players alike. Much of its recent output was widely seen as formulaic, with only a few exceptions such as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, which nevertheless underperformed commercially.
The recently announced “total reboot” marked a decisive shift in Ubisoft’s strategy. The company confirmed a sweeping internal reorganization involving the cancellation of projects in development and a fundamental redefinition of its creative and production priorities. Among the most notable decisions were the termination of several unannounced titles and the postponement of other long-anticipated projects, including the rumored Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake and the reimagining of Splinter Cell.
The Human Cost
The financial consequences of this large-scale restructuring were felt immediately. According to VGC, Ubisoft’s shares dropped to their lowest level in more than 14 years, losing nearly 33 percent of their value and falling to €4.36. Neither investors nor shareholders appear confident in the direction taken by the company under Yves Guillemot, nor in the broader structure involving Tencent, which encompasses franchises such as Rainbow Six, Far Cry, and Assassin’s Creed.
Despite this, Ubisoft intends to streamline its organization and concentrate resources on fewer projects with higher commercial potential. While this approach may seem logical in a crisis, it carries significant risks if the human dimension is not handled carefully. Various reports suggest that the next phase of the cost-cutting plan could result in the loss of up to 2,000 additional jobs in the coming months.
These potential layoffs would come on top of earlier staff reductions, as the company recently shut down two studios in Halifax and Stockholm. What lies ahead could be even more severe. Information shared by Insider Gaming indicates that the next stage of the restructuring could eliminate up to 2,000 more positions, aligning with Ubisoft’s goal of cutting €200 million in costs by the end of March 2028.
Ubisoft has described this as the “third and final phase of cost-cutting.” The company has already been shedding developers at an alarming pace for several years, with its workforce shrinking from 20,729 employees in September 2022 to 17,097 by the same month last year. That figure is expected to drop further by around 2,000, or more precisely 2,400, over the coming months or years, with additional layoffs set to be announced on February 12, according to PC Gamer.
This situation has intensified feelings of instability among employees, many of whom view the restructuring as a direct threat to their job security. The resulting climate of uncertainty has fueled growing internal discontent, with workers in several Ubisoft offices publicly voicing frustration over the company’s crisis management and even raising the possibility of a strike, particularly in response to poor communication. The requirement to return to in-office work five days a week has further aggravated tensions, despite assurances that the process will be gradual and based on dialogue. The central question in the medium term is whether this restructuring will restore stability and credibility to Ubisoft or deepen its troubles, as the company attempts to rebuild trust with investors, employees, and players simultaneously while its margin for error continues to shrink.
Source: 3djuegos
