Ubisoft’s Halifax studio in Canada has been officially closed by the company, following a recent unionization vote by the staff. The decision, affecting 71 jobs, was communicated to employees via a company-wide email on January 7.
Despite the surprise the closure brought to the team, Ubisoft clarified that it was part of broader cost-cutting and restructuring measures, emphasizing that it was not connected to the unionization vote. Known for creating Assassin’s Creed Rebellion, a popular free-to-play strategy mobile game, Ubisoft Halifax saw approximately 60 employees join CWA Canada after a significant majority voted in favor of unionizing.
In a statement to VGC, Ubisoft stated that the closure of the Halifax studio was a strategic move made prior to the unionization vote. The company highlighted its commitment to providing comprehensive severance packages and additional career support to the affected employees during the transition.
CWA Canada president Carmel Smyth expressed dismay over the decision, pledging to pursue all legal avenues to protect the rights of the impacted workers. This closure adds to a series of studio shutdowns by Ubisoft, including the Leamington studio in the UK, along with staff reductions in Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Newcastle last year.
Additionally, Ubisoft recently terminated the development of the free-to-play shooter XDefiant, leading to the closure of its San Francisco and Osaka studios. The company’s shift towards a decentralized operating model aims to grant more autonomy to creative teams managing its franchises, including Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.
Reports indicate that Ubisoft is actively seeking new investors, with Chinese conglomerate Tencent investing around $1.25 billion to establish Vantage Studios as a new subsidiary hosting major game franchises. This move comes amidst ongoing speculation about a potential acquisition of Ubisoft.