 |
| Ubisoft Halifax studio signage at the Nova Scotia-based Ubisoft studio. |
By Jon Scarr
Ubisoft has announced it will close its Halifax studio, affecting 71 employees, just weeks after workers at the studio revealed they had formed the company’s first labour union in North America.
The studio, which had been working on mobile titles tied to Rainbow Six and Assassin’s Creed, officially confirmed the closure as part of what Ubisoft described as ongoing company-wide cost-cutting measures.
Ubisoft Cites Long-Running Cost Reduction Efforts
In a statement provided to media, Ubisoft said the decision was part of broader efforts that began well before the Halifax team’s unionization process.
“Over the past 24 months, Ubisoft has undertaken company-wide actions to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs,” the company said. “As part of this, Ubisoft has made the difficult decision to close its Halifax studio. 71 positions will be affected.”
The company added that it is committed to supporting impacted employees through severance packages and additional career assistance.
Unionization Announced Days Before Christmas
Just days before Christmas, workers at Ubisoft Halifax confirmed they had successfully formed Ubisoft’s first North American union, joining the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada, Local 30111. The certification followed months of organizing that began in June 2025.
According to workers involved in the process, more than 70 percent of eligible staff voted in favour of unionizing, with full participation from those eligible to vote, marking Ubisoft Halifax as the first Ubisoft studio in North America to unionize.
Ubisoft Pushes Back Against Any Direct Link
A Ubisoft spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz that the closure was not related to the unionization effort, stating that the cost-reduction process began shortly after the pandemic and well ahead of the Halifax team’s organizing campaign.
The spokesperson also emphasized that Ubisoft continues to recognize and work with unionized teams in other regions, including Europe.
A Studio With A Long History
Ubisoft Halifax was known previously as Longtail Studios Halifax, founded in 2010. The studio worked on the Rocksmith music education title before being acquired by Ubisoft in 2015.
In recent years, the team supported mobile projects including Rainbow Six Mobile and Assassin’s Creed Rebellion. According to GamesIndustry.biz, live operations for Assassin’s Creed Rebellion are expected to be halted following a decline in the game’s revenue.
Another Chapter In A Difficult Period For Ubisoft
The Halifax closure is the latest in a series of workforce reductions at Ubisoft over the past two years, following job losses at studios such as RedLynx and Massive.
The company has also recently restructured parts of its business, spinning off several major franchises into a separate entity backed by funding from Tencent.
As the industry continues to grapple with layoffs, restructuring, and questions around long-term stability, the closure of Ubisoft Halifax adds another difficult chapter to an already challenging period for game developers.
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated. Please stay respectful and on topic.