1,200 Ubisoft Employees Join Three-Day International Strike Over Company’s “Major Reset”

Ubisoft Undergoes Major Restructuring Amid Employee Backlash

As 2026 dawned, Ubisoft took significant steps that marked a drastic change within the company, moving beyond mere layoffs at a single studio, a trend established earlier in 2025. The announcement of a “major reset“included widespread layoffs across multiple studios, the closure of Ubisoft Halifax, and the cancellation of anticipated titles like the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake. Additionally, the company introduced controversial new policies, such as a return-to-office mandate, further complicating employee relations.

Market Reactions and Employee Sentiments

The implications of these changes did not sit well with Ubisoft’s workforce, nor were they well-received within the broader gaming industry. Following the restructuring announcement, Ubisoft’s stock plummeted by 34%, reflecting a staggering 95% drop in the company’s value over eight years. This downward trend caused internal unrest to intensify, leading to a voluntary redundancy program at the Paris headquarters, which aimed to eliminate up to 200 positions. This series of actions prompted employees to rally against management.

International Strike and Solidarity Among Employees

In response, the French union Solidaires Informatique mobilized for an international strike, calling for participation from Ubisoft branches worldwide on February 10, 11, and 12. On the first day of the strike, a notable turnout was reported with at least 1, 200 employees walking out, primarily from Ubisoft’s French office, but also including participants from the Milan branch. This collective action has emphasized employee dissatisfaction and directed criticism toward CEO Yves Guillemot, whom many hold accountable for the studio’s challenges.

Today I am on strike.

— Rik Godwin (@rikgodwin.bsky.social) 2026-02-10T08:10:42.574Z

Continued Protests and Expressions of Dissent

The strike continues throughout the week, representing not just a single protest but an ongoing wave of discontent. Additionally, former employees from the now-defunct Halifax branch held a rally last month to express their grievances regarding the abrupt closure of their studio.

A Call for Change: Insights from Solidaires Informatique

Last month, Solidaires Informatique had already conducted a smaller strike, characterizing it as an “initial answer to the absurdity of management’s decisions.”Union representative Marc Rutschlé noted, “It is evident that Yves Guillemot lacks awareness of his company and the challenges faced by its employees.”He went on to describe the detrimental state of workplace morale, stating, “The atmosphere within the studio is particularly deplorable, with anger and despair ruling supreme.”

According to Rutschlé, “Our teams are under immense pressure and often understaffed. After years of minimal pay increases, employees are disheartened to find that raises will again be absent this year, while high-level positions with excessive salaries continue to sprout amid organizational changes.”He expressed that the current restructuring appears to be a veiled termination strategy, rather than a legitimate effort to improve the company or its working conditions, further stoking the flames of discontent among staff members.

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