Ubisoft is reportedly continuing its series of significant cuts implemented throughout the year, with recent actions leading to the closure of its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios. Concurrently, the Ubisoft Barcelona studio is undergoing restructuring to concentrate exclusively on the Rainbow Six franchise. This restructuring may result in approximately 380 staff members facing job loss.
These job cuts and studio closures have been covered by various news outlets, including IGN, The Game Business, and Game Developer. The reports indicate that layoffs are pending consultation, leaving the exact number of workers at risk uncertain.
Ubisoft Winnipeg, established in 2018, primarily focused on the development of the Anvil and Snowdrop game engines. Meanwhile, the Belgrade studio, founded in 2016, contributed to projects such as Ghost Recon Wildlands, The Crew 2, and Skull & Bones. Previously, Ubisoft Barcelona was involved in producing titles from franchises including Assassin’s Creed and The Division, but will now redirect its efforts solely towards Rainbow Six games.
These closures and layoffs echo earlier actions taken against long-standing studios, such as Red Storm Entertainment, which experienced around 100 layoffs in March as it transitioned away from game development. This restructuring is part of Ubisoft’s overarching strategy to cut costs, as highlighted by previous reports regarding project cancellations, including the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake.
In light of these developments, Ubisoft management has decided to reorganize the company into specialized creative houses focusing on specific game series. One such house will oversee franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry, following a financial investment from Tencent aimed at helping Ubisoft streamline its operations.
The situation reflects broader challenges facing the gaming industry, and there is a growing community sentiment expressing solidarity and support for affected Ubisoft workers during this difficult period.
