According to the union, "anger and despair are prevailing" at Ubisoft in the wake of its restructuring plan

Following Ubisoft's latest corporate restructuring, a climate of "anger and despair" has enveloped the company, according to Solidaires Informatique, a French gaming union. Last Thursday, a strike was coordinated as a response to what the union views as misguided leadership decisions.

Le Monde reported on the protest, noting that approximately ten individuals participated. Solidaires Informatique has indicated plans to escalate actions in collaboration with other Ubisoft unions both domestically and internationally.

The union is demanding an end to the ongoing cost-cutting measures, advocating for the expansion of remote work policies and seeking significant salary increases for the current year.

Marc Rutschlé, a union representative at Ubisoft Paris, expressed to GamesIndustry.biz that Yves Guillemot, the company's leader, appears disconnected from the realities faced by employees. Rutschlé criticized the ongoing downsizing and minimal salary increments despite substantial workloads and under-resourced teams.

Additionally, Ubisoft has recently instructed employees to resume full-time office attendance, aiming to enhance performance on major projects.

Last September, in response to the office return policy, over 700 Ubisoft staff members in France staged a three-day walkout.

Rutschlé expressed concerns over potential job losses if employees cannot meet the in-office attendance requirements, suggesting that the policy might be a covert strategy to reduce staff.

He described the prevailing atmosphere at the studio as particularly grim, highlighting visible distress among workers. "The situation has led to severe emotional distress, with some employees expressing suicidal thoughts. If the intention was to create dissatisfaction, this plan has succeeded," Rutschlé remarked.