Ubisoft has confirmed a new wave of layoffs in 2026, affecting 55 employees from Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm, as part of a broader strategy to reduce costs. This announcement follows a voluntary layoff program implemented in 2025, which allowed workers to choose to leave the company with compensation.
Nothing to do with the employees
Ubisoft emphasizes that the layoffs are not related to the individual performance of employees, but rather are part of a structural process aimed at adjusting the organization to meet the future needs of its studios. These proposed changes are prospective and structural, the company stated, reiterating that they will not affect the development of major projects such as The Division and the Snowdrop engine, which is also used in titles like Star Wars: Outlaws.
Interestingly, the layoffs at Massive Entertainment come as the The Division franchise is preparing to celebrate its tenth anniversary. This saga has been one of Ubisoft’s most successful and is currently in full development of a third title, which the developers have described as a gaming monster. However, the context of layoffs and restructuring also raises concerns, as Ubisoft recently closed its Halifax studio, just after many of its employees unionized. Some former employees have begun to fight to prove that the layoff decisions are linked to this affiliation, which could trigger potential legal actions against the company.
Ubisoft is facing a critical moment in its trajectory, as the strategic moves made now could have significant repercussions on its future operation. Meanwhile, the French conglomerate continues to seek sustainability in an increasingly competitive development environment.