French video game giant Ubisoft has announced layoffs of 185 employees and closed its UK-based studio, Ubisoft Leamington. This restructuring move comes amidst challenging industry conditions and follows a trend of layoffs seen across the gaming sector.
- Ubisoft Leamington Closure: 50 employees at the UK studio will be impacted.
- Global Layoffs: The total number of layoffs across the company will reach 185.
- Studio Closures: Ubisoft will also shut down its production studios in Osaka and San Francisco.
Reasons for Restructuring:
- The underwhelming performance of the game XDefiant is a significant factor in this decision.
- The company aims to restructure its operations and reduce costs in response to industry challenges.
The gaming industry has witnessed a wave of layoffs in recent times, with companies like Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard and Rocksteady facing similar challenges. Factors such as canceled titles, declining sales, and increased competition are contributing to this trend.
Ubisoft’s Response: Ubisoft has acknowledged the impact of these layoffs on its employees and has committed to providing support during their transition. The company also expressed gratitude for the contributions of the departing employees.
Ubisoft is a leading French multinational video game publisher and developer renowned for its popular and critically acclaimed franchises. Founded in 1986, Ubisoft has developed and published numerous successful games across various genres, including action-adventure (Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry), open-world (The Crew), strategy (Rainbow Six), and sports (Riders Republic).
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