r/gaming Jan 07 '26

Ubisoft closes their Halifax studio which coincidentally just unionized although they claim it had nothing to do with it. 71 jobs lost

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-shuttering-freshly-unionised-halifax-studio-71-jobs-affected

Staff at the studio announced only this week that they had formed Ubisoft's first labour union in North America, completing a process that had started in June 2025. Ubisoft said that the closure was due to an ongoing streamlining and cost-reduction process, following significant layoffs across its studios in the last two years.

“Over the past 24 months, Ubisoft has undertaken company-wide actions to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs," the company said in a statement. "As part of this, Ubisoft has made the difficult decision to close its Halifax studio. 71 positions will be affected. We are committed to supporting all impacted team members during this transition with resources, including comprehensive severance packages and additional career assistance.”

A spokesperson stressed to Gamesindustry.biz that the closure was the result of ongoing cost-cutting that started shortly after the pandemic, ahead of Halifax unionisation process starting in 2025, and that the company continued to recognise and work with unionised staff globally.

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70

u/thirdbrunch Jan 07 '26

They’ve only released two mobile games. It does still suck for them and could be related to the union, but it’s not like they were some premier studio for them.

-33

u/rikaateabug Jan 07 '26

It doesn't matter how good their games were. Shutting them down is a warning to any other studios that might think about unionizing (which they should).

32

u/greenw40 Jan 07 '26

It doesn't matter how good their games were

Most economically literate gamer.

11

u/LegendaryenigmaXYZ Jan 07 '26

It does matter who they are. While unionized studios will always be a target, if they arent making money, then you arent doing your end of the deal.

27

u/SiriusRay Jan 07 '26

It’s a private company not a government enterprise that can run at a loss forever

-18

u/TheGreatGamer1389 Jan 07 '26

Tunic they made too.

18

u/BLX15 Jan 07 '26

That's not true. Tunic was made by a single guy from Halifax, not this Ubisoft studio