Ubisoft Barcelona initiates layoffs in the wake of the launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced

A character in pirate attire stands on the deck of a ship, looking out at a tropical island bay with lush green cliffs, palm trees, and a small settlement. — Image credit: Ubisoft

Ubisoft Barcelona has experienced job cuts, with 51 employees being let go following the release of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.

QA/QC lead Isabel Codina García shared her thoughts on LinkedIn, expressing her surprise over her unexpected exit after seven years at the studio. García appreciated the colleagues she worked with, despite the situation ( Kotaku).

The layoffs followed earlier announcements of studio closures in Winnipeg and Belgrade, part of Ubisoft's strategic overhaul unveiled earlier this year ( details here).

The announcement sparked a strike led by the Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo. Workers demanded negotiations for a new mandate aimed at securing jobs and halting further layoffs for the next five years ( GamesIndustry.biz).

García indicated no new projects will be commissioned for the Barcelona office, despite the team suggesting new Assassin's Creed ventures. The studio's focus will shift to the Rainbow Six franchise.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has garnered an impressive Metacritic rating of 84, distinguishing it as this year's top-rated game in the series since the original Black Flag's 2013 debut.

Ubisoft declared these actions as the final phase of cost-cutting aimed at achieving €200 million in savings. This included closing locations in Stockholm and Halifax, along with dropping three new title prospects and the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake.

The publisher also established a new Creative House framework, divided into five branches to manage its gaming franchises and IP. Among them is Vantage Studios, supported by Tencent, concentrating on franchises like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.

Marie-Sophie de Waubert, SVP of studio operations, mentioned to GamesIndustry.biz that seven titles are slated for extended development to enhance quality and boost long-term value.

De Waubert elaborated on an ongoing company transformation initiated years ago, noting improvements in game standards anticipated by 2025. However, emphasizing the need for further development due to increasingly fierce competition in the AAA and shooter markets, she stressed that peak content quality could lead to substantial financial success, necessitating this transformation completion.