Ubisoft has confirmed the layoff of 33 developers at its Toronto studio, a decision said to align with the company’s ambitious roadmap. This development underscores the ongoing uncertainties and challenges within the gaming industry.
Ubisoft’s Strategic Layoffs in Toronto
Ubisoft described the layoffs as a targeted restructuring to achieve the goals outlined in its ambitious roadmap. Regrettably, this restructuring resulted in the loss of 33 positions. In a press release, Ubisoft stated, “Ubisoft Toronto has decided to undergo a targeted restructuring to realize our ambitious roadmap. This transition will regrettably lead to the departure of 33 team members from Ubisoft. We are committed to providing comprehensive support during this transition, including severance packages and career assistance.”
The specific departments affected or the impact of these layoffs on the projects at Ubisoft Toronto, including the much-anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, were not disclosed in detail. However, it’s known that Ubisoft Toronto had been tasked with supporting the Prince of Persia remake project. Ubisoft assures that its plans remain unchanged, with teams continuing work on the Splinter Cell remake and other projects.
Increasing Layoffs in the Gaming Industry
These layoffs are part of a broader wave of job cuts and studio closures within the gaming industry. By the end of May 2024, over 10,000 individuals in the gaming sector had lost their jobs, surpassing the total layoffs of the previous year before even reaching mid-year. This number has now escalated to 10,800.
Chris Dring of GamesIndustry.biz commented to Eurogamer, “The layoffs are expected to slow down. Most large companies have made their moves, and hopefully, they won’t need to go further. Some analysts predict that companies might need to rehire within a few years. However, the pain is not over yet.”
The budget freed up from the layoffs is expected to enhance the development of the company’s projects, with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake being a key focus. This project is being developed by the Ubisoft Toronto office, and it appears Ubisoft has learned from the feedback received on the initial trailer of PoP: SoT Remake shown in 2021.
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