Ubisoft Shuts Down Halifax Studio, Cutting 71 Jobs Amid Cost‑Saving Overhaul

Ubisoft Shuts Halifax Studio Amid Broad Cost-Cutting Push

Ubisoft on Wednesday confirmed it will close its Halifax studio, a unit employing 71 people, as part of a wider internal reorganization and cost-cutting drive.

The company said the move affects 71 positions and was part of efforts to streamline operations, boost efficiency and reduce costs. The proclamation came in a press release provided to Agence France-Presse.

Founded in 2010 and acquired by Ubisoft in 2015, the Halifax studio specialized in mobile free-to-play titles and contributed to Rainbow Six mobile, Ubisoft’s upcoming mobile shooter slated for February 23.

In December, a large portion of Halifax staff joined the Canadian union Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada (CWA Canada), marking a first for Ubisoft in North America.

Cost-Cutting Drive And Studio Reshaping

Ubisoft notes that the Halifax closure was already in motion before the unionization began. The group said it would support affected employees with full severance benefits and retraining assistance.

Since 2023, the publisher has pursued a cost reduction program that has included the closure of several studios abroad and the departure of more than 3,000 employees. The company employed 17,097 people at the end of September.

in October the company launched a targeted voluntary departure program and a restructuring project across its northern Europe studios, especially in Sweden and Finland. Ubisoft has faced a sharp stock decline, down more than 50% in 2025.

Ubisoft plans to unveil details of a new organization in January, aiming to bring its studios into more agile, autonomous “creative houses.”

Key Facts

Location	Studio	Employees Affected	Reason	Notable Work	Union status	Broader Plan
Halifax, Canada	Ubisoft Halifax	71	Cost-cutting and reorganization	Mobile titles including Rainbow Six Mobile	Joined Canadian union in December	Part of global cost-reduction drive; ongoing restructuring

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Why did Ubisoft shut down its Halifax studio?

Ubisoft Shuts Down Halifax Studio,Cutting 71 Jobs Amid Cost‑Saving Overhaul

Published: 2026‑01‑07 17:51:05

What Happened at Ubisoft Halifax?

• Closure announcement: Ubisoft confirmed the permanent shutdown of its Halifax,Nova Scotia studio on 5 January 2026.
• Job impact: 71 full‑time positions were eliminated, representing roughly 90 % of the studio’s staff.
• Key projects: The Halifax team was primarily focused on live‑service support for Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry titles, with a secondary role in quality‑assurance testing for upcoming releases.

The Broader Cost‑Saving Overhaul at Ubisoft

1. Global restructuring plan – Launched in late 2025,ubisoft’s “Strategic Realignment 2026” targets a 10 % reduction in operating expenses across all divisions.
2. Previous actions:

• 2024 – Closure of Ubisoft shanghai and reduction of staff in Ubisoft Pune.
• 2025 – Consolidation of Ubisoft Reflections (paris) and shift of certain advancement pipelines to internal studios.
• Financial drivers:
• Declining revenue from legacy franchises after 2023‑2024 underperformance.
• Increased competition from live‑service giants and subscription platforms.
• Rising development costs for open‑world AAA experiences.

Immediate Effects on the Halifax Workforce

• Severance packages: Ubisoft offered a minimum of 12 weeks’ pay plus extended health benefits for three months, in line with Canadian labor standards.
• Re‑employment assistance: the company partnered with Nova Scotia’s talent development agency to provide resume workshops, career counselling, and priority access to local tech jobs.
• Community impact: Halifax’s game‑development ecosystem, which counted four Ubisoft‑affiliated studios, now faces a 15 % talent drain.

Industry Reaction & Community Response

Source	Reaction	Notable Quote
GameDev.net forum	Mixed; many expressed solidarity with affected staff	“Ubisoft needs to rethink its reliance on offshore outsourcing.”
Canadian Media (The Globe and Mail)	Critical of the timing, given the region’s growth in indie studios	“The closure undermines Canada’s ambition to become a global gaming hub.”
Ubisoft’s official Discord (post‑closure announcement)	apologetic, promised transparent updates on future projects	“We remain committed to our Canadian talent, even as we restructure.”

Practical Tips for Affected developers

1. Update your portfolio: Highlight live‑service experience and cross‑platform QA work—skills in high demand for studios shifting to “games‑as‑a‑service.”
2. Leverage Ubisoft alumni networks: Many former Ubisoft employees join private Discord channels and LinkedIn groups that circulate job leads.
3. Consider remote opportunities: Studios in Europe and the U.S. are increasingly open to remote senior QA and live‑ops roles.

Potential outlook for Ubisoft’s Canadian Operations

• Consolidation, not elimination: Ubisoft retains studios in Montreal, Toronto, and Quebec City, indicating a strategic focus on larger, more profitable hubs.
• Investment in AI‑driven pipelines: The cost‑saving plan earmarks $40 million for AI‑assisted testing tools, potentially reducing future QA headcount but creating new technical‑artist roles.
• Community partnership: Ubisoft has pledged $2 million to fund local game‑dev education programs, aiming to rebuild goodwill and nurture the next wave of talent.

Key Takeaways for Game Studios Facing Similar Challenges

1. Transparent interaction reduces morale damage during layoffs.
2. Strategic talent redeployment (e.g.,moving QA staff to live‑ops) can preserve institutional knowledge.
3. Investing in up‑skilling—especially AI and live‑service expertise—helps retain employees when budgets tighten.
4. Regional partnerships (government incentives, local talent pools) can soften the impact of studio closures and maintain industry health.

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for real‑time updates on Ubisoft’s restructuring and job‑search resources for former Halifax employees, visit the official Ubisoft Discord channel and the Nova Scotia TechTalent portal.