Closure of Ubisoft Studio Shortly After Unionization

Sudden Shutdown Sparks Controversy

Ubisoft's decision to shut down one of its Canadian branches has attracted attention as it follows a mere 16 days after the studio's employees voted to unionize. The game developer claims the move is part of broader efforts to optimize business operations, with no connection to the recent union activities.

Drive Towards Restructuring

The date December 22 marked a significant decision for Ubisoft Halifax, where 61 workers opted to be represented by the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada. Jon Huffman, the studio's lead programmer, shared with CTV News that an impressive 73.8% of their workforce supported the unionization effort, describing it as an overwhelming sense of relief. The Halifax studio had been focused on mobile game development for popular franchises like Rainbow Six and Assassin's Creed.

Official Justifications and Employee Impact

According to Ubisoft's official release, the closure is in line with a larger strategy aimed at trimming operational costs and enhancing efficiency. A spokesperson mentioned that over the last two years, the company has engaged in various measures to refine its operations. Consequently, the decision was made to shutter the Halifax site, affecting 71 roles. Ubisoft affirmed its intentions to offer robust support to those impacted by their decision through severance benefits and broad job search assistance.

Broader Industry Adjustments

Earlier in October, Ubisoft had disclosed initiatives at Massive Entertainment, the creator behind games like The Division series. They introduced a program dubbed 'voluntary career transition' offering buyouts to employees seeking change. Such strategic business contractions have been seen elsewhere in the company, with earlier closures in cities including San Francisco, London, and Leamington. By 2024, Ubisoft had downsized its global workforce by about 8%.