Ubisoft announced in January 2025 that it would close its Leamington studio and restructure operations in Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Reflections, affecting 185 employees.
The company stated these actions align with a broader cost-cutting strategy aimed at streamlining projects, improving efficiency, and ensuring long-term financial stability in a competitive market.
This move follows Ubisoft’s December 2024 decision to shut down its San Francisco and Osaka studios, leading to nearly 300 layoffs after XDefiant’s discontinuation.
XDefiant, a free-to-play first-person shooter, was cancelled due to low player retention, prompting Ubisoft to reassess its portfolio and focus on sustainable live-service titles.
Ubisoft has struggled in recent years with game delays and disappointing sales, including but not limited to Star Wars Outlaws, which failed to meet commercial expectations despite a highly anticipated launch.
The company remains committed to its live-service model, citing successful titles like Rainbow Six, The Crew, and For Honor as examples of its evolving strategy.
However, as someone with over a thousand hours in For Honor, what makes the game a successful live service is not its microtransactions but its core gameplay that has kept it alive.
This is where they have struggled with recent titles; the games either feel incomplete or a bid to make a profit from players.
They fail to push boundaries and create games that feel like they could have come out 10 years ago, which could explain their low sales as their older titles were known for pushing boundaries.
Looking forward, Ubisoft is prioritising the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, scheduled for March 2025, after an additional development period based on player feedback.
These restructuring efforts reflect Ubisoft’s ongoing attempts to adapt to industry shifts, optimise resources, and regain momentum in an increasingly competitive gaming landscape.
Feature Image Credit: Ubisoft Media Assets
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