**Union Protests Erupt at Ubisoft Barcelona Following Layoff Announcements Post-Release of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced**
The gaming community has recently seen significant developments following the release of *Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced*, a collaborative effort by multiple Ubisoft studios worldwide. In the aftermath of the game’s launch, Ubisoft Barcelona, one of the development studios involved, has become a focal point for union protests due to impending layoffs.
According to reports from last month, Ubisoft Barcelona is undergoing a restructuring plan that shifts the studio’s focus solely to the *Rainbow Six* series. With the completion of *Black Flag Resynced*, the studio is moving forward with layoffs affecting 51 developers, as highlighted by the Spanish Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego (CSVI) union. In response to these layoffs, the CSVI has organized a three-day strike from July 14th to July 16th to protest the decision.
The striking developers are advocating for several key outcomes: the cancellation of the planned layoffs, enhanced job security measures to avert future mass layoffs, a reinstatement of previous remote work policies allowing up to 60% remote work, and fulfillment of promised promotions and pay rises. These requests underscore the frustrations felt by the employees, many of whom contributed significantly to the recent success of *Black Flag Resynced*.
Comments on social media from Ubisoft Barcelona staff express deep dissatisfaction with the situation. Manel Cota, a tech and gameplay animator, lamented that the very team responsible for creating the underwater shipwreck exploration sections in the game is facing termination. He emphasized the disconnect between the studio’s accomplishments and the company’s decision-making.
Isabel Codina García, QA/QC lead at Ubisoft Barcelona, shared her emotional response on LinkedIn, reflecting on her seven years with the studio. She reported that the entire *Assassin’s Creed* team was recently informed of a collective redundancy plan, despite the team’s proposals for future *Assassin’s Creed* projects. She confirmed that the studio intends to proceed with the layoffs by the end of July, highlighting the uncertainty looming over the remaining staff.
The protests at Ubisoft Barcelona reflect broader industry concerns regarding job security and the treatment of gaming professionals, especially in the wake of successful project launches. As the striking developers advocate for their rights and seek solidarity, their situation raises important questions about the future of gaming development practices and the responsibilities of major companies like Ubisoft towards their employees.
