Ubisoft Closes Unionized Halifax Studio, Impacts 71 Jobs

Ubisoft has officially announced the closure of its Halifax studio, impacting 71 jobs. This Canadian studio was engaged in developing mobile games for popular franchises such as Rainbow Six and Assassin’s Creed.

Impacts of Ubisoft Halifax Closure

The closure comes shortly after the staff at Ubisoft Halifax formed the first labor union within Ubisoft’s North American operations. The unionization process began in June 2025, just before the studio’s shutdown announcement.

Reasons for Closure

• Part of an ongoing streamlining and cost-reduction initiative.
• Previous layoffs across multiple Ubisoft studios in the past two years.
• Response to financial strategies initiated post-pandemic.

According to Ubisoft’s statement, the decision was challenging but necessary for improving efficiency and reducing costs across the organization. The company reassured that it would provide support to affected employees through comprehensive severance packages and career assistance.

Recent Changes at Ubisoft

This closure follows a pattern of job reductions at various Ubisoft studios, including layoffs at RedLynx and Massive in late 2022. The gaming giant is also restructuring its main franchises into a separate business entity backed by €1.16 billion in investment from Tencent, a major Chinese company.

History of Ubisoft Halifax

Ubisoft Halifax, founded in 2010 as Longtail Studios Halifax, initially focused on the Rocksmith music-tutoring game. The studio was acquired by Ubisoft in 2015, rebranding to its current name.

In recent years, it contributed to mobile titles like Rainbow Six Mobile, set to release in 2025, and Assassin’s Creed Rebellion launched in 2018. However, the live operations for Assassin’s Creed Rebellion are expected to cease following a decline in revenue.

As Ubisoft navigates these changes, its commitment to recognizing and collaborating with unionized staff remains a priority. The future of the affected employees will involve transitional support as the studio closes its doors.