Ubisoft has announced the closure of its Halifax studio in Canada, impacting 71 employees just after the studio’s labor union was officially certified. This decision follows the studio’s recent efforts to unionize, marking a significant moment as it was the first Ubisoft studio in North America to achieve this milestone.
Ubisoft Halifax, which has been part of the company since its acquisition in 2015, primarily focused on mobile game development, contributing to popular franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Rainbow Six. The closure comes as part of a broader company strategy aimed at reducing costs. According to Ubisoft, the decision is not directly linked to the unionization but rather part of ongoing efforts to streamline operations.
In a statement to GamesIndustry, Ubisoft said, “Over the past 24 months, Ubisoft has undertaken company-wide actions to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. As part of this, Ubisoft has made the difficult decision to close its Halifax studio. 71 positions will be affected. We are committed to supporting all impacted team members during this transition with resources, including comprehensive severance packages and additional career assistance.”
The announcement follows comments made by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot in October 2024 regarding the company’s need to restore its creative and innovative edge. This has been partly facilitated by significant layoffs across the organization. Additionally, the restructuring has attracted investments from Chinese company Tencent, which is establishing a new subsidiary, Vantage Studios, to oversee major intellectual properties like Assassin’s Creed.
Ubisoft’s decisions come at a time of significant change within the gaming industry. As the company continues to seek efficiencies, the labor landscape has also evolved, with the Halifax studio’s unionization representing a growing trend toward worker organization within the sector.
The closure of Ubisoft Halifax is indicative of the challenges faced by many in the gaming industry as they navigate financial pressures while attempting to maintain creative output. The departure of the Halifax team will force these 71 employees into the job market at the start of 2026, highlighting the ongoing impact of corporate restructuring in the gaming sector.
