Ubisoft is making main strikes to save lots of itself from plummeting inventory costs, confirming particulars on its new plans. Partwork of that was cancelling, a number of titles, together with the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, and delaying 7 others. The subsequent step seems rather a lot like extra layoffs and a giant restructuring of the corporate.
First, Ubisoft confirmed that the latest closures of Halifax and Stockholm studios had been a part of the reset. VGC reviews that within the convention name they had been invited to attend, Ubisoft acknowledged they’d contemplate promoting different property if wanted, however didn’t elaborate.
Ubisoft has additionally stated it plans to dashing up its price discount plans, aiming to save lots of one other €200 million within the subsequent two years. They didn’t affirm any layoff plans as such, however did say in regard to cancelled initiatives that there’ll “…some individuals who will likely be refocused on different large initiatives, and a few could go away the corporate.”
Layoffs, although, are virtually inevitable. Ubisoft usually employs a staggering variety of individuals. By late 2025, its personal web site listed 17,000 staff, which equates to someplace within the realm of €2.5-3 billion, primarily based on the corporate’s monetary reviews. “restructuring” was confirmed for the Abu Dhabi, RedLynx, and Huge groups, a few of which we’ve already seen.
Shifting on, Ubisoft is carrying on with its beforehand introduced plan to separate the corporate into impartial “artistic homes”. We already know concerning the first one: Vantage Studios, the subsidiary by which Tencent owns simply over 1 / 4. After all, Tencent additionally holds stakes in Ubisoft itself, too.
Vantage Studios holds the rights to Murderer’s Creed, Far Cry and Rainbow Six.
4 different “artistic homes” are being deliberate, each being organised round a style. Thus far, they haven’t been given names, however beneath these there will likely be a “artistic community” of studios that companion with the principle groups, after which under that there’s core providers.
Right here’s the breakdown:
- Artistic Home 2: “aggressive and cooperative shooter experiences.” Consists of The Division, Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell.
- Artistic Home 3: Specializing in “dwell” video games corresponding to For Honor, The Crew, Rider’s Republic, Brawlhall and Cranium & Bones.
- Artistic Home 4: Fantasy and narritve pushed stuff, together with Anno, Would possibly & Magic, Rayman, Prince of Perisa and Past Good & Evil.
- Artistic Home 5: Informal and household, together with Simply Dance, Uno and Hasbro stuff.
“”These measures mark a decisive turning level for Ubisoft and mirror our dedication to confront challenges head-on to reshape the Group for the long run,” Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot stated in a press release. “The portfolio refocus can have a big impression on the Group’s quick time period monetary trajectory, notably in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, however this reset will strengthen the Group and allow it to resume with sustainable development and strong money era. Ubisoft is coming into a brand new part – one designed to reclaim artistic management and construct worth for gamers and stakeholders over the long run.”
Bluntly, the transfer to “artistic homes” is almost certainly a strategy to conceal and protect Ubisoft’s large IP ought to the principle firm collapse. However, if each is allowed some correct independence, it might end in higher high quality video games. Provided that they get freedom and Ubisoft’s eases up on its demand that each sport is made utilizing the identical template, an thought that after served effectively, however nowadays has resulted in much less high quality total.
