Ubisoft is facing a coordinated labor uprising as five unions in France—including Solidaires Informatique, CFE-CGC, CGT, Printemps écologique, and Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo—have called for a three-day strike across its global workforce. The action, set for February 10–13, directly targets the company’s recent restructuring, which includes the cancellation of six projects (such as the long-delayed Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake), the closure of multiple studios, and a sudden reversal of remote work policies.
The unions argue that Ubisoft’s leadership has abandoned years of negotiations on flexible work arrangements, replacing them with a rigid five-day office mandate. In a joint statement, they describe the shift as treating employees ‘like children who need to be supervised,’ while executives face no consequences for ‘lies and breaking the law.’ The move follows Ubisoft’s announcement of a ‘Rupture Conventionnelle Collective’ process, aimed at reducing its Paris headquarters workforce by 200 employees without formal layoffs.
What’s Driving the Strike?
- A sudden return-to-office mandate after years of remote/hybrid negotiations.
- Massive restructuring: six canceled projects, studio closures (including Ubisoft Halifax), and 200+ job reductions in Paris.
- Frustration over perceived executive impunity, particularly after a CEO who has reportedly stopped direct communication with staff.
- A strategic timing overlap with Ubisoft’s February 12 financial report.
The strike’s success hinges on participation from non-unionized studios, particularly in Canada, where Ubisoft’s Montreal and Toronto operations lack labor protections. While the company cannot easily shut down large hubs like Montreal, unions warn of potential ‘fat-trimming’—targeted reductions in less visible teams. Ubisoft Halifax, which had recently unionized, was closed earlier this month, raising concerns about retaliation for organizing.
Solidaires Informatique initially called for a half-day strike last week, framing it as an ‘initial response’ to the restructuring. The escalation to a full three-day walkout reflects deep dissatisfaction with what unions describe as ‘catastrophic management.’ The financial report deadline adds pressure, suggesting the strike may be designed to force accountability during a critical earnings disclosure.
The gaming industry has seen rising labor tensions, but Ubisoft’s case stands out for its scale—spanning multiple countries and touching on both creative autonomy and corporate governance. Whether the strike spreads beyond France remains uncertain, but the unions’ call for global solidarity marks a bold challenge to Ubisoft’s restructuring plans.
