Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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Comings and Goings
Ubisoft Barcelona, a development studio that worked on Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, has gone on strike. The employees are protesting recent layoffs within the company. This action highlights ongoing labor disputes in the video game industry.
Ubisoft Barcelona devs strike over layoffs following Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced launch
Developers at Ubisoft Barcelona are staging a three-day strike to protest the layoff of 51 employees, which occurred shortly after the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. The striking workers, in collaboration with the CSVI union, are demanding the cancellation of layoffs, stronger job security, the reinstatement of remote work policies, and promised salary increases.
Spin Master lays off Paw Patrol: The Game devs two days after launch
Spin Master, the company behind Paw Patrol, laid off the entire studio of its subsidiary Originator Inc. just two days after the launch of Paw Patrol: The Game. The company stated that Originator's products and operations would be transitioned to the Sago Mini Team in Toronto. This decision comes five years after Spin Master acquired Originator Inc. for $29 million.
"Ubisoft thinks that's what we deserve": Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's release followed by union strike over Ubisoft Barcelona layoffs
Following the release of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, Ubisoft Barcelona is facing a union-organized strike and protests over plans to lay off 51 staff. The union is demanding the cancellation of layoffs, job security guarantees, a return to remote work policies, and promised promotions and pay rises. Developers expressed frustration over the situation, with some highlighting their contributions to the remake before facing redundancy.
Xbox fans use its own feedback forum to call out Microsoft’s business and layoff decisions
Xbox gamers are voicing their strong disapproval of Microsoft's recent business decisions and significant layoffs through the platform's official feedback forums. A popular thread criticizes the dismissal of thousands of workers, the closure of studios, and the cancellation of games, proposing a reset that includes revoking ambitious player count goals and re-evaluating executive bonuses.
Users flock to Xbox Player Voice portal to ask for an end to cycle of layoffs
Following recent layoffs and studio closures at Xbox, users are flocking to the Xbox Player Voice portal to express their frustration. The top trending thread calls for an end to studio closures and layoffs, with users citing leadership failures and corporate greed. Former id Software developer Johnmichael Quinlan also shared his experience of being laid off despite successful project delivery.
As Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's underwater levels draw praise, dev says those responsible are "being fired right now because Ubisoft thinks that's what we deserve"
A developer from Ubisoft Barcelona has spoken out against the studio's planned layoffs, highlighting the critical success of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which featured praised underwater levels developed by the very team facing termination. The developers are striking to protest the decision and demand job security, while Ubisoft plans for a quiet period before a more active release schedule.
'The company has turned its back on us': Black Flag Resynced developers at Ubisoft Barcelona are being laid off instead of celebrating the series' latest hit
Despite the success of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which sold two million copies and broke series player records on Steam, Ubisoft is laying off 51 developers at its Barcelona studio. This decision has led to frustration among employees and a three-day strike called by the Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo, protesting the company's 'strategic shift' and perceived betrayal of its dedicated staff.
id Software producer says 'you'll never get another WoW or Morrowind in the current climate' in the wake…
id Software producer Andrew Willis believes the current climate prevents the creation of long-lasting franchises like World of Warcraft or Morrowind, attributing this to large publishers and a lack of understanding from executives. He advocates for developer-owned studios as the path forward for sustainable growth and artistic integrity in the gaming industry, contrasting this with Xbox's stated goals of returning to growth through further layoffs.
Days after leaving Xbox, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games broadcasts that it's looking for work
Following its separation from Microsoft's Xbox division due to layoffs, Compulsion Games is actively seeking new collaboration opportunities with other studios. The developer of South of Midnight and We Happy Few aims to leverage its award-winning talent to support external projects while retaining ownership of its existing IPs.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Developers in Barcelona Are Being Laid Off as Ubisoft Celebrates Game's Success
Ubisoft Barcelona developers who worked on Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag are reportedly being laid off, despite the game's commercial success selling 2 million copies shortly after launch. This news comes as the company celebrates the game's achievements.
“Losing Key Talents and Skills” is a Major Risk, Says Ubisoft Amidst Layoffs
Ubisoft has acknowledged the significant risk of losing key talent and skills amidst ongoing layoffs, as detailed in its annual financial report. The company is implementing succession plans and retention strategies for critical roles to mitigate the impact of departures in a competitive industry. Additionally, Ubisoft is partnering with colleges to improve recruitment and is addressing the challenges of releasing games too early or too late.
South of Midnight Developer is Looking for Studios to Collaborate With
Compulsion Games, now an independent studio after being released from Xbox, is seeking collaboration partners for its next project. The studio, which developed the BAFTA and Peabody Award-winning game South of Midnight, aims to leverage its talent and expertise while securing funding. This announcement follows recent layoffs at Xbox and the independent transitions of other former Xbox studios like Undead Labs, Double Fine Productions, and Ninja Theory.
After "incomprehensible" Xbox layoffs, id Software producer says worker-owned studios are "the only path…
id Software producer Andrew Willis criticized Microsoft's recent Xbox layoffs, calling them an "incomprehensible decision" and suggesting that worker-owned studios are the only viable path forward for the game industry. Willis, who was involved in id Software's unionization efforts, believes that large publishers have proven to be poor stewards of the industry and that value should be owned by those who create it.
One week after going independent in the Xbox bloodbath, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games is looking for work
Compulsion Games, the developer of the BAFTA and Peabody Award-winning title South of Midnight, has announced it is seeking new collaborations after becoming independent following recent layoffs at Xbox. Microsoft, which acquired Compulsion in 2018, allowed the studio to go independent rather than closing it. The studio is leveraging its experience in creating original intellectual property to partner with other companies in the games and entertainment industry.
Former Xbox Studio Compulsion Games Says It's Open to Collaborations
Following negotiations that secured its independence amidst recent Xbox Game Studios layoffs, Montreal-based developer Compulsion Games has announced on LinkedIn that it is open to collaborations. The studio is seeking opportunities to work with other developers and publishers, potentially as a support studio on external projects.
Id Software fortsätter att utveckla nästa Doom-titel
Despite recent mass layoffs at id Software following Microsoft's Xbox reorganization, the studio has confirmed it is continuing development on new games and technology. The current staff size is comparable to when DOOM (2016) was in development, and the studio remains focused on creating its own games and proprietary engine technology. Reports indicate that work on a new DOOM title has already begun.
Comings and Goings
The video game industry in Quebec is facing uncertainty as multiple studios are implementing cutbacks. This situation has put the future of many development teams in the region in limbo.
The Alters and Frostpunk developer 11 Bit Studios is laying off 20 employees
11 Bit Studios, the developer behind The Alters and Frostpunk, has laid off 20 employees to align team structures with current project phases. The company stated that most affected employees were offered internal transfers, and those leaving will receive support. This follows previous layoffs in 2024 and late 2023, despite the Frostpunk franchise surpassing 11 million players and Frostpunk 2 nearing 600,000 sales.
The Elder Scrolls Online Dev ZeniMax Online Studios Insists It's Now the Same Size It Was When It Made Much-Loved DLCs, Moves to Reassure Worried Fans After Xbox Layoffs
ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, has assured fans that the studio's size and commitment to the game remain unchanged despite recent layoffs at Xbox. The studio aims to alleviate concerns about the future of the game and its DLC development.