Ubisoft has closed its Halifax, Canada, studio, which might lead to round 70 staff dropping their jobs.
In an e-mail despatched to workers on Wednesday, reviewed by VGC, Ubisoft stated it had determined to shut Ubisoft Halifax as a part of company-wide cost-cutting and restructuring measures. Halifax is the studio behind cellular title Murderer’s Creed Insurrection.
Solely final month, Ubisoft Halifax staff fashioned a union, with round 60 staff signing as much as the Sport & Media Staff Guild of Canada. Ubisoft claimed the choice to shut Halifax was made “nicely earlier than” this determination and stated it “totally respects” staff’ proper to unionize.
Replace – Union responds
CWA Canada has stated it is going to “pursue each authorized recourse” to defend union members impacted by Ubisoft Halifax’ closure.
In an announcement despatched to Sport Developer, it stated the timing of the choice “raises many questions for which we do but have solutions” and that it might be “demanding data” from Ubisoft to grasp why it determined to close down the studio.
“At present’s information is devastating,” stated CWA Canada president, Carmel Smyth. “We will pursue each authorized recourse to make sure that the rights of those staff are revered and never infringed in any manner.”
“Over the previous 24 months, Ubisoft has undertaken company-wide actions to streamline operations, enhance effectivity, and cut back prices,” a spokesperson advised VGC. “As a part of this, Ubisoft has made the troublesome determination to shut its Halifax studio.
“71 positions will likely be affected. We’re dedicated to supporting all impacted workforce members throughout this transition with assets, together with complete severance packages and extra profession help.”
Murderer’s Creed Insurrection, a free-to-play technique RPG, launched in 2018. Nevertheless, its revenues have steadily declined, prompting the latest determination to finish reside operations and cease producing new content material for the sport.
It’s been a turbulent 12 months for the Murderer’s Creed writer, which late final 12 months opened a brand new subsidiary part-owned by Tencent, Vantage Studios, which now oversees its greatest franchises.
Tencent holds a 25% stake within the new subsidiary and can act in an advisory function, with remaining inventive and enterprise selections resting with co-CEOs Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot.
Ubisoft claims it’s shifting in the direction of a much less centralised working mannequin, in an try to offer inventive groups extra possession of the manufacturers they work on.
