Ubisoft has initiated a significant new phase of corporate restructuring, resulting in the permanent closure of two development studios and a workforce reduction affecting hundreds of employees.
According to reports from Insider Gaming, an internal memo distributed to staff outlined the company’s objective to “streamline operations, cut overhead costs, and fortify the business for future sustainability.” This strategy has led to the immediate shuttering of the company’s development facilities in Winnipeg and Belgrade.
Ubisoft Winnipeg, which launched in 2019, served as a vital support hub for major franchises, including Far Cry 6, Rainbow Six Mobile, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Its closure impacts approximately 65 team members. Meanwhile, the Belgrade studio—operational since 2016 and recently involved in the development of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced—has also ceased operations, affecting roughly 100 staff members.
The restructuring effort extends further, with additional layoffs confirmed at the Barcelona and San Francisco offices. The Barcelona studio is also undergoing a pivot in its operational focus to specialize specifically in Rainbow Six projects. In total, internal documents suggest that up to 380 employees may be displaced by these latest measures.
This news follows a sustained period of volatility for the publisher that began in 2024. Notable previous developments include the establishment of Vantage Studios—a subsidiary designed to manage the company’s core intellectual properties—and a massive “strategic reset” in January, which resulted in the cancellation of several high-profile projects, most notably the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake.
Over the past 24 months, Ubisoft has systematically closed studios in Halifax and Leamington, while also disbanding the creative team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Additionally, studios such as Massive Entertainment, RedLynx, and Red Storm Entertainment have faced significant downsizing, with the latter halting all active game development.
While Ubisoft recently showcased upcoming titles like Rayman Legends Retold and remains committed to the long-gestating Beyond Good & Evil 2 and the Splinter Cell remake, the company’s long-term production roadmap remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Requests for official comment regarding this restructuring have been sent to Ubisoft.
