Ubisoft Faces New Layoff Wave in 2026 as Around 130 Employees Exit Within a Week

Ubisoft is facing another round of layoffs as its long-running restructuring efforts continue into 2026, with reports indicating that roughly 130 employees were let go within the span of a single week. The cuts mark one of the most concentrated workforce reductions the publisher has carried out recently, adding fresh concern about stability across its global studio network.

According to reporting from GameStar, Ubisoft management informed staff that further job reductions were planned as part of ongoing cost-cutting measures. While Ubisoft has not released an official headcount, internal communication cited by the report places the number of affected employees at approximately 130 within just a few days.

Affected Teams and Union Context

One of the more notable aspects of this layoff wave is that at least one affected studio had only recently unionized. This detail has drawn additional attention from labor observers, as it highlights growing tensions between management restructuring strategies and employee organization efforts within the games industry.

While there is no indication that union status directly caused the layoffs, the timing has raised questions about how restructuring impacts newly organized teams. Ubisoft has not commented publicly on the union angle, but the situation adds complexity to an already sensitive workforce reduction.

Part of a Broader Pattern Since 2023

This latest wave follows several rounds of layoffs Ubisoft has carried out since 2023, affecting studios across Europe and North America. Previous reductions targeted a mix of development, support, and production roles, as the company worked to rein in rising development costs and address uneven project performance.

As previously reported by GamesIndustry.biz, Ubisoft’s restructuring strategy has focused on reducing fixed expenses while concentrating resources on fewer core franchises. The scale and speed of the latest layoffs suggest that this process remains active rather than nearing completion.

Financial Pressure and Project Resets

Ubisoft’s internal restructuring reflects sustained financial pressure across its portfolio. Several high-profile releases in recent years failed to meet internal expectations, while other projects faced delays, cancellations, or major creative resets. These issues have complicated long-term planning and forced management to reassess staffing needs.

In recent financial coverage by IGN, Ubisoft executives emphasized cost discipline and operational efficiency as top priorities. Leadership acknowledged that not all projects in development would move forward, reinforcing a more selective investment approach.

Impact on Development and Morale

The speed at which approximately 130 employees exited the company has raised concerns among remaining staff, particularly those working on long-term projects. Frequent restructuring can disrupt team cohesion and slow production, especially on large-scale games that rely on stable, experienced teams.

Industry analysts have warned that repeated layoffs can have lasting effects on morale and retention. For publishers like Ubisoft, which manage multiple long-running franchises, maintaining continuity becomes increasingly difficult when teams are reshaped at regular intervals.

Ubisoft’s Position Heading Into 2026

Despite the layoffs, Ubisoft continues to frame its major franchises as central to its future strategy. Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry remain core pillars, even as the company becomes more cautious about greenlighting new projects or expanding teams.

As Ubisoft moves deeper into 2026, the reported layoffs underline the broader challenges facing large publishers across the industry. Rising budgets, extended development cycles, and uncertain market conditions continue to force difficult decisions, even at companies with globally recognized brands.