Full Breakdown
Ubisoft Barcelona Staff Strike Over Proposed 51-Job Cuts
7/1/2026, 7:58:32 PM
Strike Over Proposed 51-Job Cuts at Ubisoft Barcelona
On June 30, staff at Ubisoft’s Barcelona studio began a series of strikes scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons through July 17. Organized by the Spanish labor union La Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT), the action targets a proposed reduction of 51 positions. Workers demand a binding agreement guaranteeing retention of those employees, a five-year moratorium on future mass dismissals, and reinstatement of a 60 % remote-work schedule.
Background & Cost-Cutting Context
Ubisoft’s restructuring targets €200 million in savings. In January 2024 the company announced a “final” cost-cutting phase after a 54 % drop in May net bookings. Earlier in 2024 it closed the Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and reduced staff in Toronto, Red Storm and San Francisco. The Barcelona site will focus exclusively on the Rainbow Six franchise, and a $1.25 billion Tencent investment in Vantage Studios was disclosed.
Timeline
- Jan 2024: €200 million “final” cost-cutting plan announced.
- Jun 30 2024: First strike at Barcelona begins.
- Jul 17 2024: Scheduled end of strike if no agreement.
Official Statements & Responses
Ubisoft confirmed that the Barcelona studio will be restructured to concentrate on the Rainbow Six franchise. A company spokesperson said the changes are needed to reduce costs and align resources after the $1.25 billion Tencent investment. The spokesperson also cited the January 2024 cost-cutting phase and the 54 % decline in May net bookings as justification.
Criticism & Opposition
The CGT union demands a binding deal that secures the 51 jobs, imposes a five-year ban on future mass layoffs, restores promotions “unilaterally paralysed by the company,” conducts a formal review of the salary-improvement plan, and reinstates a 60 % remote-work schedule to protect work-life balance.
Why It Matters
Barcelona is a core development hub for the revenue-generating Rainbow Six series. Prolonged strikes could delay releases, affect the franchise’s market performance, and signal broader employee unrest across Ubisoft’s global studios, which have faced cuts in Toronto, Red Storm, San Francisco, Winnipeg and Belgrade. The dispute highlights tension between aggressive cost-cutting and labor protections in Europe’s gaming industry.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Ubisoft has not publicly detailed the criteria for the 51-job reduction, leaving the timeline and selection process unclear. The union cites “unilaterally paralysed” promotions, but Ubisoft has not confirmed their status. No official response has been given on how the 60 % remote-work request will be evaluated.
Verbatim Quotes
- “unilaterally paralyzed by the company” — La Confederación General del Trabajo, union
- “There's also a request for job protection, which would stop Ubisoft from making another mass layoff of its Barcelona studio for 'a minimum of five years'.” — La Confederación General del Trabajo, union
- “Finally, Ubisoft Barcelona staff are asking for a formal review of the studio's salary improvement plan, as well as social benefit packages.” — La Confederación General del Trabajo, union
What’s Next
If negotiations fail, the union says strikes will continue on the scheduled dates until a binding agreement is reached. Ubisoft is expected to present a revised restructuring proposal before the July 17 deadline, while analysts watch for spill-over effects on other Ubisoft studios.
