UBISOFT Studio closure - 185 staff layoffs

Ubisoft has announced a series of strategic measures aimed at streamlining operations and ensuring long-term stability, resulting in the closure of its Leamington, UK studio and layoffs affecting 185 employees across multiple locations.

The Leamington studio, which employed approximately 50 staff members, will be permanently closed, with a small number of employees retained under remote contracts.

Additionally, targeted restructurings will impact teams in Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Newcastle-based Ubisoft Reflections.

Ubisoft Leamington, formerly known as FreeStyleGames, was acquired by Ubisoft in 2017 and contributed to titles such as Tom Clancy's The Division, Far Cry 5, Star Wars Outlaws, and Skull and Bones. The studio gained prominence under Activision for developing the DJ Hero series before shifting focus to the Guitar Hero and Call of Duty franchises.

The restructuring efforts also affect other Ubisoft studios:

• Ubisoft Düsseldorf: Known for developing the Anno and The Settlers series.

• Ubisoft Stockholm: Recently collaborated on Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora with Massive Entertainment.

• Ubisoft Reflections: A veteran team founded in 1984, based in Newcastle, which has supported AAA game development alongside Leamington.

These moves come as Ubisoft seeks to prioritize projects and reduce costs following a series of underperforming game launches, including the discontinuation of the live-service shooter XDefiant and delays to Assassin's Creed Shadows. The company has been undergoing a cost reduction plan since 2022, which has included limiting recruitments, enacting targeted restructurings, and decreasing external spending.

In a statement, a Ubisoft spokesperson expressed gratitude to the affected employees: "We are deeply grateful for their contributions and are committed to supporting them through this transition."

Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, has emphasized the company's commitment to reshaping its business to deliver quality products and enhance operational efficiency. The success of upcoming titles, particularly Assassin's Creed Shadows, is seen as crucial for the company's future.