„We're devastated that this is happening.” Ubisoft fired the entire studio just a month after it unionized

Almost everyone working at Halifax Studio, which is part of Ubisoft, voted to join the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada, a branch of CWA Canada that focuses on workers' rights, just under a month ago. Today, we learned that the French giant decided to close its subsidiary developer, but claims it is not due to the employees joining a labor union.

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In total, 71 people lost their jobs. 61 of them voted in favor of joining the union. How does Ubisoft explain its decision to lay off employees? The corporation provided arguments in a brief statement.

Fans of French games are likely aware of the significant challenges they continue to face. To improve its financial situation, the company decided to collaborate with Tencent by establishing Vantage Studios, which will focus on the Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six series. The Chinese company holds a 25% stake in the new company.

Given these troubles, Ubisoft likely based its decision on hard numbers rather than trying to "spite" the employees of Halifax Studio. Nevertheless, those who lost their positions might feel that way. The shutdown of the studio was also commented on by the union for IGN.

The closed company was founded in 2010 under the name Longtail Studios Halifax. Five years later, it got taken over by Ubisoft and turned into Ubisoft Halifax Studio. Since then, this branch has been involved in the development of mobile games such as Assassin's Creed: Rebellion and Rainbow Six Mobile.

Assassin's Creed Rebellion

November 21, 2018

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