Ubisoft Under Fire: Mass Strike Against Cuts and Mandatory Office Return

TL;DR: Ubisoft employees in France and Italy held a three-day strike against mass layoffs and labor policies. The company faces turbulence with game cancellations and organizational restructuring.

The Awakening of Resistance

Late last month, Ubisoft developers and employees in France threatened to strike in response to mass layoffs and cost-cutting measures. This week, they turned words into action. According to GamesIndustry.biz, at least 1,200 professionals participated in the three-day strike, which took place between February 10 and 12.

Although the epicenter of the action was France, Ubisoft's Milan office also joined the strike. The Solidaires Informatique union, which represents workers from companies like Blizzard and Ubisoft, had initially called for strikes on January 27, with clear demands:

• 10% salary increase for all employees

• Implementation of a 4-day work week

Conflict Scenario

During the strike, some employees held protest signs at Ubisoft's Parisian headquarters, with one of them wearing a Rabbids mask to protect their identity. The grievances are multifaceted:

• Mass layoffs of hundreds of employees by 2026

• Mandatory 5-day in-office return policy

• Specific case of an employee fired after publicly criticizing the new policy

Storm in Software

Ubisoft also faced a storm on the software development side. Among the consequences of the organizational restructuring:

• Cancellation of six games, including the anticipated remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

• Closure of multiple studios

• Internal reorganization that generated uncertainties

Company Response

In a February 12 update, Ubisoft issued a statement:

"We understand that these changes, particularly those affecting work organization, are generating strong feelings," the company declared. "Since the announcement, we have held discussions and informative sessions at various levels to help teams understand the new organization and share their concerns."

Ubisoft stated that it "remains committed to maintaining an open and constructive dialogue with employees and their representatives."

Takeaway: This Ubisoft strike serves as a powerful reminder that, even in tech companies, working conditions are a constant battle. As developers, we must closely follow these movements that can define the future of remote work and corporate policies across the industry. Resistance against mandatory return-to-office and for the valorization of professionals can inspire positive changes beyond gaming.