Key Takeaways
1. Ubisoft has canceled six more games and anticipates further layoffs, leading to rising employee frustrations.
2. Employees are openly criticizing upper management through internal communication channels, a rare occurrence in game studios.
3. Many developers are actively seeking new job opportunities and planning to leave Ubisoft, anticipating significant talent loss.
4. Since September 2022, Ubisoft has laid off over 3,500 employees and plans to cut an additional 2,400 jobs by March 2028, creating job instability among remaining staff.
5. Changes in workplace policies, such as mandatory in-office work five days a week, are contributing to employee dissatisfaction and impacting their family lives.
After six more Ubisoft games have been cancelled and with more layoffs on the horizon, frustrations are rising. Tom Henderson from Insider Gaming has shared that employees are openly voicing their discontent with the leadership. Many developers, rather than waiting for the next wave of job cuts, are getting ready to leave the company.
Internal Communication Issues
In a post on his social media, Henderson noted that “Ubisoft’s internal communication channels are full of workers criticizing upper management and demanding changes.” He pointed out that such direct criticism, which is likely visible to upper executives, is uncommon in game studios.
Exploring New Opportunities
Some employees are looking into new job opportunities, while others are speeding up their planned departures. Even though they still have jobs at Ubisoft, many are particularly active on LinkedIn, searching for new positions. Henderson predicts that “Ubisoft is going to see a significant loss of talent, even without the upcoming layoffs.”
Restructuring Concerns
Henderson also commented soon after the company’s latest restructuring plans became known. Since September 2022, Ubisoft has already laid off over 3,500 employees, shrinking its workforce to below 17,100. He anticipates that around 2,400 additional job cuts will happen by March 2028.
Recently, Ubisoft has closed studios in both Stockholm and Halifax and reduced staff in Abu Dhabi. The developers who remain are surely feeling the strain of job instability. Furthermore, many of the games they have poured years of work into will never be released. For example, the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has been in development since 2020.
Commuting Changes
Workplace policies could also be a reason behind the growing discontent. As part of its cost-reduction efforts, Ubisoft is requiring employees to commute to the office five days a week. Even if some can work remotely on a limited basis, this shift can significantly impact their family lives.
As Ubisoft’s stock continues to drop, the future of the publisher is more uncertain than ever. Both investors and the remaining staff have doubts about the company’s strategy to save an additional €200 million. This move might not resolve the leadership issues that have troubled the company through its challenging times.
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