
In a shocking turn of events, the team behind the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is facing a significant restructuring, resulting in the layoffs of 51 employees from Ubisoft Barcelona. This decision comes just days after the game's launch, which has received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. The news has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, with many expressing their disappointment and concern for the affected employees.
The layoffs were announced by Isabel Codina Garcia, a QA lead at Ubisoft Barcelona, in a LinkedIn post. Garcia revealed that the team was informed of the collective redundancy plan two weeks prior to the game's launch, giving them little time to prepare for the sudden change. The post has sparked an outpouring of support from colleagues and industry professionals, with many praising the team's hard work and dedication to the project.
According to reports, the team had been working on Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced for over two and a half years, and their efforts have paid off with the game receiving an 84 on Metacritic and positive reviews from critics. However, despite the game's success, Ubisoft has decided to restructure its organization, and the Barcelona team will not be assigned any new projects. Instead, the remaining employees will be moved to work on Rainbow Six Siege.
The situation has raised questions about the stability and security of jobs in the gaming industry. Anonymous Ubisoft employees have come forward, stating that they had been worried about the team's future for over a year, as they were not assigned any new projects to work on ahead of completing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. The lack of communication and transparency from Ubisoft has been criticized, with many feeling that the company has not done enough to support its employees.
In response to the layoffs, some members of the Ubisoft Barcelona team have begun strike action, which started on June 30 and is expected to continue until July 16. The strike is a protest against the restructure and the lack of job security for employees. The situation highlights the need for better communication and support from game developers and publishers, as well as the importance of job security and stability in the industry.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is part of Ubisoft's Vantage Studios, a subsidiary of Ubisoft that is partially backed by Tencent. The game's success is a testament to the team's hard work and dedication, and it is a shame that their efforts have not been recognized with job security. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is essential that companies prioritize the well-being and job security of their employees, who are the backbone of the industry.
Ubisoft's restructuring efforts have been ongoing since January, with the company announcing a significant overhaul of its organization. The company has closed down several studios, including those in Belgrade, Winnipeg, Stockholm, and Halifax, and has reorganized its IPs into five different creative houses. While the company's efforts to streamline its operations and focus on its core IPs are understood, the impact on employees and the lack of communication and transparency have been criticized.
The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of job security and stability in the gaming industry. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that companies prioritize the well-being and job security of their employees, who are the backbone of the industry. The success of games like Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a testament to the hard work and dedication of developers, and it is essential that their efforts are recognized and valued.
51 employees from Ubisoft Barcelona have been laid off, despite the success of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
The team was informed of the collective redundancy plan two weeks prior to the game's launch
The remaining employees will be moved to work on Rainbow Six Siege
The situation has raised questions about the stability and security of jobs in the gaming industry
Ubisoft's restructuring efforts have been ongoing since January, with several studios closed and IPs reorganized into creative houses