In December 2025, the developers at Ubisoft Halifax–the studio behind the mobile game Assassin’s Creed Rebellion–successfully voted to unionize and join the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada. Now, less than a month later, Ubisoft is shutting down Ubisoft Halifax and laying off 70 people.
According to Video Games Chronicle, Ubisoft has denied that the closure of the studio has anything to do with the employees’ unionization efforts. The publisher also stated through a spokesperson that the decision to close Ubisoft Halifax had already been made before the union vote was taken.
“Over the past 24 months, Ubisoft has undertaken company-wide actions to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs,” Ubisoft’s spokesperson said in a statement to VGC. “As part of this, Ubisoft has made the difficult decision to close its Halifax studio … 71 positions will be affected. We are committed to supporting all impacted team members during this transition with resources, including comprehensive severance packages and additional career assistance.”
It’s always tough to hear about a studio closing, especially one that recently made strides toward unionization. The gaming industry is evolving, and it’s important to support the voices of developers as they advocate for their rights. Wishing the best for everyone affected during this transition.
It’s definitely disheartening, especially after the team worked hard to unionize for better conditions. It’s interesting to consider how this might impact other studios looking to follow a similar path in the industry. The situation could spark more discussions about worker rights in gaming.
I agree, it’s really unfortunate to see that hard work go unrecognized. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in the gaming industry regarding labor rights and the importance of supporting union efforts for fair treatment. It seems like a critical moment for developers everywhere to advocate for better working conditions.
It’s certainly a tough situation for the developers, and it raises important questions about corporate responsibility in the gaming industry. Unionization efforts are meant to create a fairer workplace, so it’s disheartening to see such immediate repercussions. Hopefully, this will spark more discussions about protecting workers’ rights in the future.