Ubisoft closes studio in Leamington and reduces 185 positions in global restructuring

The company Ubisoft announced the closure of its studio in Leamington, United Kingdom, and the dismissal of 185 employees as part of an ongoing restructuring effort to reduce costs and prioritize strategic projects. In addition to the closure of Leamington, the offices of Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Ubisoft Stockholm, and Ubisoft Reflections will also undergo cuts.

Team Impacts
 

In a statement, a spokesperson for Ubisoft said:

"As part of our ongoing efforts to prioritize projects and reduce costs, we announced targeted restructuring at Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Ubisoft Stockholm, and Ubisoft Reflections, in addition to the permanent closure of the Leamington studio. Unfortunately, this will impact 185 employees. We deeply appreciate their contributions and are committed to supporting them during this transition."

Although small, part of the Leamington team will continue on remote contracts. The studio, founded in 2002 as FreeStyleGames by veterans from Rare and Codemasters, was known for supporting the development of major titles such as The Division, Far Cry 5, Star Wars Outlaws, and Skull and Bones.

History of Impacted Studios
 

• Ubisoft Düsseldorf: Developer of Anno and The Settlers.
• Ubisoft Stockholm: Worked on Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora in partnership with Massive Entertainment.
• Ubisoft Reflections: Founded in 1984, the studio is known for supporting the development of AAA games and worked together with Leamington on various projects.
   

Since 2022, Ubisoft has been gradually reducing its workforce. The number of employees has dropped from 20,279 in 2022 to 18,666 in September 2024. The cuts reflect the impact of releases below expectations, such as the failure of Star Wars Outlaws, the cancellation of XDefiant, and the recurring delays of Assassin's Creed Shadows.

The company is "reviewing strategic and transformational options" to generate greater value for shareholders, while rumors point to a possible private investment led by Tencent.

With the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows scheduled for March 20, 2025, the success of the title will be crucial for the future of Ubisoft. What is your opinion on the company's recent decisions?