Ubisoft Closes Halifax Studio Amid Cost-Cutting Measures

Ubisoft has announced the closure of its Halifax studio in Canada, which has resulted in the loss of 71 jobs. This decision comes shortly after the studio's employees formed Ubisoft's first labor union in North America, joining the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada. The unionization process began in June 2025, and the announcement of the closure was made just two days after the union was established. Ubisoft stated that the decision to shut down the Halifax studio was made prior to the unionization and is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and reduce costs.

Ubisoft has closed its Halifax studio and claims the decision is unrelated to recent unionization

Founded in 2010 as Longtail Studios, the Halifax studio was acquired by Ubisoft in 2015. It was involved in developing mobile titles for popular franchises, including "Assassin's Creed" and "Rainbow Six." The studio's most recent projects included "Assassin's Creed Rebellion," released in 2018, and the upcoming "Rainbow Six Mobile," set to launch on February 23, 2026. However, Ubisoft has indicated that the live operations for "Assassin's Creed Rebellion" will cease due to declining revenues.

Ubisoft Shuts Down Recently Unionized Halifax StudioUbisoft shuttering freshly-unionised Halifax studio, 71 jobs affectedUbisoft has closed its Halifax studio and claims the decision is unrelated to recent unionization

Ubisoft emphasized that the closure aligns with its ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and cut costs, which have been in place for the past two years. A spokesperson for the company reiterated its commitment to supporting affected employees with severance packages and career assistance. The studio's closure is part of a larger restructuring initiative, which has seen significant layoffs across various Ubisoft studios, including Massive Entertainment and RedLynx.

Ubisoft shuttering freshly-unionised Halifax studio, 71 jobs affected

The timing of the closure, immediately following the unionization, has raised concerns among labor advocates and employees. Critics argue that the decision to close the Halifax studio may reflect a broader trend of companies undermining union efforts through layoffs. While Ubisoft maintains that the closure was unrelated to the unionization, the situation has sparked discussions about labor rights within the gaming industry.

Ubisoft has closed its Halifax studio and claims the decision is unrelated to recent unionization

While Ubisoft claims that the decision to close the Halifax studio was made well before the unionization, the proximity of the two events has led to skepticism among employees and labor advocates. There is a lack of clarity regarding the specific factors that influenced the timing of the closure and whether the unionization played any role in the decision-making process.

Ubisoft has closed its Halifax studio and claims the decision is unrelated to recent unionization

As Ubisoft continues to restructure, the company has formed a new subsidiary, Vantage Studios, which is partially backed by Tencent. This subsidiary will oversee major franchises, including "Assassin's Creed," "Far Cry," and "Rainbow Six." The future of the affected employees remains uncertain as the company navigates its transition towards a less centralized operating model, aiming to provide creative teams with more ownership over their projects.

Ubisoft Shuts Down Recently Unionized Halifax Studio