Key Takeaways
1. French trade union Solidaires Informatique is demanding the resignation of Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot due to the company’s current struggles.
2. Union representatives blame Guillemot for the company’s issues, expressing a lack of trust in his leadership.
3. Criticism has arisen over nepotism after Guillemot’s son was appointed as co-CEO, with concerns about the lack of diversity in senior positions.
4. The union believes the absence of diverse leadership negatively impacts creativity within the company.
5. An international strike is planned for February 10–12, 2026, to unite workers in response to management’s actions.
After a number of studio shutdowns, canceled initiatives, and internal conflicts regarding the return to the office, the situation at Ubisoft seems more delicate than ever. Now, officials from the French trade union Solidaires Informatique are vocally requesting the resignation of CEO Yves Guillemot. This demand comes after interviews with Game Developer that were also reported by Insider Gaming.
Blame on the CEO
Union spokespeople Marc Rutschlé and Chakib Mataoui are pointing fingers directly at Yves Guillemot. As the CEO, he is ultimately accountable for the company’s current condition. “At the end of the day, it’s his company,” Rutschlé remarks. Nevertheless, trust has dwindled to a point where expectations for a positive solution seem quite low. “I expect nothing from this guy,” the union member adds. In addition to Guillemot stepping down, the union is also calling for a complete restructuring of the management board.
Criticism of Nepotism
The recent decision to appoint Charlie, Yves Guillemot’s son, as co-CEO of a new Ubisoft branch has sparked significant backlash. The union lashes out at the company for nepotism and for nurturing a closed-off leadership atmosphere. Mataoui highlights the absence of diversity in senior positions, pointing out that executive roles are predominantly occupied by white men from the CEO’s close circle. He asserts that this lack of diversity hinders creativity: “We operate in a creative field. We require fresh ideas to come in and assist us in creating fantastic new games. But we’ve got none of that.”
Upcoming International Strike
In light of these recent occurrences, an international strike is planned for February 10–12, 2026. This action is being coordinated by Solidaires Informatique along with other French labor unions. Rutschlé is encouraging employees globally to band together, stating that if management operates on a worldwide level, then workers should as well. It remains unclear whether Yves Guillemot will respond to the union’s requests—and in what manner.
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