Ubisoft[1] has begun another round of staff reductions across multiple studios as part of an ongoing restructuring effort, and it appears to be connected to the formation of its new subsidiary, Vantage Studios. The latest cuts affect two long-running Ubisoft teams: Finnish developer RedLynx and Sweden-based Massive Entertainment.
According to reports, Ubisoft RedLynx, best known for the Trials series, may lose up to 60 employees as part of a proposed restructure. The studio is currently in consultation, meaning the number may change, but it signals a significant downsizing.
“Ubisoft has today announced a restructuring proposal for RedLynx as part of the company’s global efforts to simplify, reduce costs, and ensure a stronger prioritization and efficiency across the company’s worldwide studio network,” said Redlynx on its official website.[2] “Before making a decision on the proposal, Ubisoft RedLynx will negotiate the matter with its staff in collective negotiations.”
The goal appears to be to shift RedLynx into a mobile studio: “If implemented, the proposed changes would refocus Ubisoft RedLynx from a multiplatform setup to a studio specialized in small screens. “
Meanwhile, over at Massive Entertainment—the team behind The Division series and last year’s Star Wars Outlaws[3]—Ubisoft has launched what it’s calling a “voluntary career transition program.” While phrased positively, the initiative is viewed internally as a targeted push to reduce headcount. If employees opt to take this, they will be able to “take their next career step on their own terms, supported by a comprehensive package that includes financial and career assistance.”
These moves follow Ubisoft’s shift toward consolidating its biggest franchises under the umbrella of Vantage Studios, a Tencent-backed subsidiary unveiled earlier this year. Ubisoft framed Vantage as a new “creative house” responsible for handling flagship brands like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry and Rainbow Six across multiple global locations. That change has put pressure on older support and satellite studios, which now face uncertainty over their long-term role inside the company.
Ubisoft has not confirmed how many developers will ultimately be affected by this latest round of layoffs, but the restructuring builds on a clear trend. Earlier in the year, the publisher shut down Ubisoft Leamington in the UK and restructured offices in Düsseldorf, Stockholm and Newcastle-based Ubisoft Reflections, cutting 185 staff in the process. It also previously reduced roles within its global publishing and esports teams.
So far, no other Vantage-linked studios have confirmed job losses, but industry reports suggest several internal teams are bracing for similar restructuring proposals before the end of Ubisoft’s current fiscal year. For now, the publisher is framing the changes as part of a strategy to become “leaner” and “more efficient,” but for affected staff it marks yet another reminder of just how unstable the AAA development landscape has become over the last two years.
And just the other week, Assassin’s Creed boss man Marc-Alexis Côté confirmed his departure from the studio, revealing that he did not leave voluntarily. [4]
As much as I hate to say this – and will probably get some heat for saying – this is not surprising news. I don’t like people losing their jobs, but Ubisoft is currently fighting for its survival, and its massive headcount was always going to need to be heavily reduced. As of last year, the company reported over 19,000 employees, which is now reported as being nearer 16,000. In other words, Ubisoft’s yearly salary is monstrous.
Mind you, the bigger problem remains those at the very top of the company who made the decisions which led to all of this in the first place.
References
- ^ Ubisoft (wolfsgamingblog.com)
- ^ said Redlynx on its official website. (www.redlynx.com)
- ^ Star Wars Outlaws (wolfsgamingblog.com)
- ^ revealing that he did not leave voluntarily. (wolfsgamingblog.com)