Ubisoft has announced the closure of its support studio in Leamington, UK, as part of ongoing cost-cutting measures. This decision impacts 185 employees across multiple locations, including Leamington, Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Reflections. The studio closure and layoffs are part of Ubisoft’s efforts to prioritize projects and reduce expenses in response to challenging market conditions.
The Leamington studio, formerly known as FreeStyleGames, was acquired by Ubisoft from Activision in 2017. It had been working as a support studio on various projects, including Far Cry 5, Avatar, and Star Wars Outlaws. A small number of Leamington staff will be retained under remote contracts, while the majority face job losses.
This move follows a series of cost-cutting initiatives implemented by Ubisoft in recent times. The company aims to streamline its operations and focus on key projects to navigate the competitive gaming industry landscape.
Ubisoft’s Restructuring and Impact on UK Development

Details of the Closure
Ubisoft has closed its support studio in Leamington Spa, UK. This closure is part of a larger plan to cut costs and focus on key projects. The move will affect about 185 jobs across several Ubisoft locations, including Leamington, Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Newcastle (Ubisoft Reflections). The Leamington studio, which Ubisoft got from Activision in 2017, mainly gave support to other Ubisoft studios. This change means most of the Leamington team will lose their jobs, though a few may get remote contracts.
Why is this happening?
Ubisoft, like many other large game companies, faces financial pressures. The company aims to make its operations more efficient and focus resources on its biggest franchises. This restructuring suggests a shift towards prioritizing established series like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, potentially at the expense of smaller or more experimental projects. This could also mean Ubisoft will depend more on working with other studios and outsourcing.
Impact on Ubisoft’s Games
This closure doesn’t directly stop any specific game projects. However, it shows a change in how Ubisoft works. We might see fewer new games overall, with more focus on big, established franchises. It’s too early to say exactly how this will affect future releases, but it’s possible Ubisoft will be more cautious with new ideas.
Timeline of Events
The Leamington studio closure was revealed in early 2024. The studio had been part of Ubisoft for about seven years, after being acquired from Activision. The job losses will take place across several months as the company reorganizes.
Affected Studios
The impact of this restructuring is not limited to Leamington. Here’s a breakdown:
Studio Location | Impact |
---|---|
Leamington Spa, UK | Studio closure, major job losses |
Düsseldorf, Germany | Job losses |
Stockholm, Sweden | Job losses |
Newcastle (Ubisoft Reflections), UK | Job losses |
What’s Next for Ubisoft?
Ubisoft is still working on its live service games and has new games coming, like Assassin’s Creed Codename Red and Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe. The company is likely to focus on these big releases and its core franchises. The closure of the Leamington studio shows a clear effort to cut costs and streamline operations, which will likely shape the company’s future projects.
Key Takeaways
- Ubisoft closes Leamington studio and lays off 185 employees across multiple locations
- The closure is part of Ubisoft’s ongoing efforts to reduce costs and prioritize projects
- A small number of Leamington staff will be retained under remote contracts
Impact of Closure on Ubisoft’s Operations
The closure of Ubisoft Leamington and restructuring at other studios will affect the company’s workforce, development capabilities, and strategic focus. These changes aim to streamline operations and concentrate resources on key franchises.
Restructuring and Focus on Core Franchises
Ubisoft’s decision to close its Leamington studio signals a shift towards prioritizing major game franchises. The company plans to allocate more resources to popular series like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and the upcoming Star Wars Outlaws.
This restructuring may lead to faster development cycles for flagship titles. However, it could also result in fewer experimental or smaller-scale projects.
The closure may impact the production timeline of some games. Ubisoft will need to redistribute workloads across remaining studios to maintain development schedules.
Effect on Global Workforce and Studios
The closure and restructuring will result in approximately 185 job losses across Ubisoft’s global operations. This includes staff from Leamington, Düsseldorf, Stockholm, and Ubisoft Reflections.
Some employees may be offered remote work options or transfers to other studios. However, the overall reduction in workforce could lead to increased workloads for remaining staff.
Administrative functions and IT teams will likely see significant changes. Ubisoft may centralize these roles to improve efficiency across its network of studios.
The Canadian studios, including Ubisoft Montreal, may take on additional responsibilities to compensate for the lost capacity.
External Market Influences
Market pressures and industry trends have influenced Ubisoft’s decision to restructure. The company faces competition from major players like Activision and emerging threats from companies like Tencent.
Recent struggles with game launches and delays have put pressure on Ubisoft to improve its financial performance. The restructuring aims to reduce costs and boost profitability.
The broader gaming industry has seen similar moves, with companies like CD Projekt and Unity also announcing layoffs. This trend reflects the challenges faced by game developers in a rapidly evolving market.
Factor | Impact on Ubisoft |
---|---|
Market Competition | Increased pressure to focus on successful franchises |
Financial Performance | Need to reduce costs and improve profitability |
Industry Trends | Alignment with broader restructuring patterns in gaming |
Development Capacity | Potential short-term reduction, long-term optimization |
Support and Transition Plans
Ubisoft has outlined measures to assist affected employees and ensure project continuity following the closure of its Leamington studio. The company aims to minimize disruption while supporting staff through this transition.
Employee Severance and Career Assistance
Ubisoft is providing severance packages to the 185 workers impacted by the Leamington studio closure. These packages include financial compensation based on years of service and position. The company has also set up career assistance programs to help employees find new opportunities.
Resources include:
- Resume writing workshops
- Job search training
- Interview preparation sessions
- Networking events with other game studios
Ubisoft is working with local employers to identify potential job openings for displaced staff. The company has established a talent directory to showcase the skills of affected employees to other game developers.
Continuity of Affected Projects
Ubisoft is taking steps to ensure ongoing projects are not disrupted by the studio closure. Work from Leamington is being transferred to other Ubisoft locations. Key responsibilities include:
Project Type | New Location |
---|---|
Assassin’s Creed support | Montreal studio |
Far Cry development | Toronto office |
The Division updates | Stockholm team |
Project leads are conducting knowledge transfer sessions to maintain workflow. Ubisoft aims to keep release schedules on track for upcoming titles. The company states that players should not notice any impact on game quality or launch dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ubisoft’s closure of the Leamington studio raises several important questions about the company’s strategy, impact on employees, and future plans.
How will Ubisoft’s closure of the Leamington studio impact the local game development community?
The closure affects about 50 employees in Leamington. This loss of jobs may lead to a temporary setback for the local game development scene, potentially causing skilled workers to relocate.
What measures is Ubisoft taking to support employees affected by the Leamington studio closure?
Ubisoft has stated it will retain a small number of Leamington staff under remote contracts. The company likely offers severance packages and job placement assistance to affected employees.
Will Ubisoft’s cost-cutting strategy include further studio closures or restructuring in other regions?
Ubisoft’s current round of cuts extends beyond Leamington. The company is downsizing across multiple locations, including its Canadian offices, suggesting more restructuring may occur.