French Union Accuses Ubisoft CEO of Lacking Knowledge and Understanding After Significant Company Reset

Ubisoft’s Major Restructuring: A Turbulent Response from Employees

The video game giant, Ubisoft, finds itself in a state of upheaval following a significant announcement last week about a planned “major reset.” This comprehensive restructuring aims to reorganize the entire company into five distinct ‘Creative Houses, ’ resulting in substantial changes in leadership and notable project cancellations. Among the casualties of this reset are six ongoing projects, including the highly anticipated Sands of Time Remake. Additionally, seven projects have been delayed, and four new initiatives have emerged as Ubisoft navigates the challenging landscape, which includes a likely increase in layoffs and a renewed mandate for employees to return to the office.

This drastic move has not only led to a steep drop in Ubisoft’s share price—hitting its lowest level since 2011—but has also culminated in a staggering 95% loss of total market value over the past eight years. Employee morale marks a new low, further exacerbating frustrations within the workforce. As reported by French publication Le Monde and highlighted by GamesIndustry. Biz, the Solidaires Informatique union has already orchestrated a strike on January 22, 2026, outside of Ubisoft Paris in response to management’s controversial decisions.

The protest, albeit modest in attendance with only ten participants, explicitly targeted CEO Yves Guillemot. The union articulated three principal demands during this demonstration: cessation of the cost-cutting measures, preservation and expansion of remote work policies, and significant pay increases. According to Marc Rutschlé, a representative from the union, the internal environment at Ubisoft is rife with “anger and despair.”

“At this state, it seems clear to us that Yves Guillemot has no knowledge or understanding of his company or its employees, ”said Rutschlé.“The company is continuing its cost reduction and layoff plan. Our teams are already working under pressure, often understaffed. After several years without pay rises (or very small increases), we understand that once again, employees will not receive a raise this year. At the same time, the reorganization is creating a number of high-level positions with excessive salaries.”

“From our union’s point of view, this forced reversal is a disguised redundancy plan, aimed at pushing employees outside the company. The atmosphere within the studio is particularly deplorable, with anger and despair reigning supreme. Staff representatives have witnessed several breakdowns in tears; some colleagues have made suicidal comments. If Guillemot wanted to make people miserable, he couldn’t have done better.”

Insider-Gaming reveal that internal communications are overflowing with employees expressing dissatisfaction towards upper management and advocating for change. Some have even revised their professional engagements on LinkedIn, indicating a willingness to explore new opportunities despite their continued employment.

As the turmoil unfolds, the sustainability of Ubisoft remains in question. A dramatic 95% drop in company value over eight years underscores a severe leadership crisis, compounded by previous allegations of misconduct within the organization. Without significant changes in executive direction, the beloved publisher—an industry stalwart for over two decades—risks facing insurmountable challenges in the future.

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