Ubisoft Entertainment SA, the French video game publisher renowned for franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Tom Clancy’s series, has announced another round of layoffs. This time, the cuts have impacted staff at two of its U.S.-based studios: Ubisoft San Francisco and Red Storm Entertainment in Cary, North Carolina. A total of 45 employees have been dismissed from these studios.
A Ubisoft spokesperson confirmed the layoffs to IGN, stating that the decision was made to “align these studios’ organizations with their future business and development objectives.” The spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to affected employees, including severance packages and career assistance.
These latest cuts are part of a larger trend of restructuring within Ubisoft. Earlier in 2023, the company trimmed its VFX, IT, and customer service teams, resulting in layoffs affecting 60 employees. Further reductions occurred in 2024, with 33 positions eliminated at the Toronto studio and another 45 jobs cut from the global publishing and Asia-Pacific teams.
The layoffs at Red Storm Entertainment are particularly notable as they follow the cancellation of the mobile game Tom Clancy’s The Division: Heartland in May. This cancellation, announced alongside Ubisoft’s financial results, marked a setback for the company, despite recording record net bookings and an increase in net sales for 2023.
Ubisoft’s restructuring efforts reflect a broader trend in the gaming industry, where companies are adapting to market changes and financial pressures. These challenges have led to widespread restructuring and workforce reductions as companies seek to optimize their operations and remain competitive.