Update (July 15, 2026): Following our initial report, a Ubisoft Barcelona team member impacted by the planned workforce reductions reached out to share further insight into the studio’s situation. The employee revealed that roughly 90 staff members participated in the protest yesterday. They stated, “Despite the turnout, Ubisoft’s proposal remains alarmingly inadequate, falling far below industry standards. Consequently, we are organizing another rally for this Thursday, July 16, at 10:30 a.m. to coincide with the next round of negotiations.”
The staffer also highlighted the depth of the studio’s contributions to Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, noting that the team of fewer than 50 people spent two and a half years delivering the following components:
- Comprehensive swimming systems and underwater mechanics
- Intricate underwater biomes, animal behaviors, and shipwreck environments
- All smuggler dens and naval contracts
- Significant narrative content, including four Assassin Contracts and three primary story quests (Proper Defenses, Diving for Medicines, and Devil’s Advocate)
- Region-specific development for Gibara, Salt Lagoon, and Mariguana Island
- Enemy AI and boss encounters (pre-collaboration with Ubisoft Quebec)
According to the employee, the studio has been effectively sidelined from future Assassin’s Creed development by management. “Our only hope of working on this franchise again is through community support,” they added. “Otherwise, our focus will be shifted exclusively to the Rainbow Six series.”
Original Report (July 14, 2026):
Despite the successful launch of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced on July 9, the Ubisoft Barcelona studio—a key architect behind the game’s underwater exploration systems—is facing significant restructuring. Management has announced plans to lay off 51 employees, prompting the studio to initiate a strike led by the Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego (CSVI) union.
The labor action, which runs through July 16, aims to challenge the layoffs while pushing for better job security, the restoration of a 60% remote-work arrangement, and the fulfillment of previously promised promotions and salary increases.
In a formal statement, the CSVI union expressed frustration over the company’s “strategic shift” justification, noting, “After years of intense dedication, the company has abandoned us. We will never see the rewards for our hard work; instead, we are being let go.”
This development is particularly jarring given the game’s commercial performance. Ubisoft recently reported that Black Flag Resynced moved 2 million copies in its first 24 hours and shattered franchise concurrency records on Steam, peaking at 99,451 players.
Industry observers have noted that this situation underscores a grim reality in modern game development: neither critical acclaim nor commercial blockbusters appear to shield employees from the cycle of corporate downsizing.
Our thoughts at the editorial team remain with all those affected by these challenging circumstances.
