The video game industry continues to prove its instability. A wave of layoffs went through Canada offices for Ubisoft, cutting 124 jobs. Of those impacted, 98 positions were based in the country in departments like IT and offices like Hybride VFX, the studio that worked on shows like Ahsoka and The Mandalorian.
The company has made cuts across its worldwide operations throughout this year. Ubisoft London was shuttered in September, affecting over 50 people. In spring, customer service and other jobs were cut in the U.S. and U.K.
Ubisoft Canada Hit by Layoffs as 124 People Lose Their Jobs
Originally, Kotaku reported that 98 people were cut for “reorganization” purposes. Shortly after, the company confirmed that 124 people were actually affected. While it has offices across Canada, Ubisoft Montreal was the big one that got hit by the layoffs. The studio is an important one as it has hands in some of the company’s most important IP, like Rainbow Six Siege and Far Cry.
The “reorganization” comes two months after Ubisoft Montreal employees were angered by their leaders when a mandatory return-to-office order was placed. Promises that this would not be the case were made, but those broken promises weakened the trust employees had in leaders after the last few years of turmoil over harassment and toxicity.
Across its studios around the world, Ubisoft has had a troubling few years. In 2020, employees came out in droves to call out toxic leaders, many of whom were fired without much change to the company’s culture. Some of those executives were eventually arrested due to sexual assault and harassment. For its projects, it has canceled games and had delays, like the continued delays of Skull and Bones.
This year has seen an unprecedented number of layoffs beyond Ubisoft Canada, starting this morning. Despite high profits and games that break records, companies like Epic Games, Media Molecule, Bungie, Xbox, and more have cut employees. It has been an issue that has always been attached to the industry, which is perplexing due to the seeming success these companies have with Fortnite, Destiny 2, and other games that rake in money.
