Ubisoft Workers Unite: French Unions Call for Massive International Strike Amid Layoffs and Return-to-Office Backlash

In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, five French unions representing Ubisoft employees have issued a bold call for a “massive international strike” scheduled for February 10-12. This dramatic escalation comes amid a perfect storm of corporate restructuring, job cuts, and controversial policy changes that have left thousands of developers feeling betrayed and undervalued.

The strike announcement follows a series of devastating developments at the French gaming giant. Last week, Ubisoft unveiled what it calls a “major organizational, operational and portfolio reset”—corporate-speak that translates to more layoffs and project cancellations. The company’s January restructuring announcement revealed plans to slash costs by €200 million, a figure that has become a rallying cry for frustrated employees who see their livelihoods as mere line items on a balance sheet.

What has particularly inflamed tensions is Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot’s end-of-day message to staff, which many interpreted as a thinly veiled threat. Guillemot warned that management would continue “making difficult decisions, including stopping certain projects” and “potentially closing select studios.” But the real bombshell was the abrupt reversal of Ubisoft’s hybrid work-from-home policy. After employees had successfully negotiated for two remote workdays per week just six months ago, Guillemot unilaterally decreed a return to five-day office attendance, with only vague promises of “generous” work-from-home days.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Ubisoft is already reeling from a string of high-profile game cancellations and delays, including the much-anticipated Prince of Persia remake. Industry analysts point to years of questionable management decisions, bloated budgets, and a string of commercial disappointments as the real culprits behind Ubisoft’s financial woes—not employee productivity or office attendance.

“This isn’t just about working conditions anymore,” explains a developer who spoke anonymously to gaming journalists. “It’s about respect. We’re the ones who actually make the games, but management treats us like disposable assets. The return-to-office mandate came with zero justification, zero internal studies proving it increases productivity or morale. It’s pure corporate theater.”

The French unions—CFE-CGC, CGT, Printemps Écologique, Solidaires Informatique, and STJV—have framed the strike as a fight for survival. In their joint statement, they declared: “The announced transformation claims to place games at the heart of its strategy, but without us, these games cannot exist. We are not fooled: rather than taking financial responsibility for layoffs, they prefer to push us out by making our working conditions unbearable. It’s outrageous.”

What makes this strike particularly significant is its international scope. The French unions aren’t fighting alone—they’re coordinating with labor organizations across Ubisoft’s global footprint, from Montreal to Malmö. This represents a major evolution in gaming industry labor organizing, which has historically been fragmented by geography and corporate silos.

Industry insiders note that Ubisoft’s troubles run deeper than any single policy change. The company has struggled to replicate the success of franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, with recent releases like Skull and Bones becoming cautionary tales of development hell and overpromising. Meanwhile, competitors like Sony and Microsoft have been snapping up talent and studios, leaving Ubisoft increasingly isolated.

The return-to-office policy has become a symbol of broader discontent. Many employees argue that forcing them back to physical offices during a talent shortage is counterproductive. “Ubisoft needs to recruit the best people to make better games,” notes one industry analyst. “But these policies make it harder to attract talent and actively drive away veterans who have other options.”

Perhaps most damning is the perspective offered by a union representative at Ubisoft Paris, who told Aftermath that Guillemot “needs to find 200€ million for the coming year, any person who has to quit because of this is a net benefit for him.” This cynical view suggests that management might actually welcome employee departures as a cost-cutting measure, avoiding the financial and reputational costs of direct layoffs.

The February strike represents more than just a protest against specific policies—it’s a referendum on Ubisoft’s entire corporate culture. Employees are demanding transparency, fair treatment, and a seat at the decision-making table. They’re pushing back against what they see as a pattern of executives making sweeping changes without consulting the people who actually create value for the company.

As the February 10-12 strike date approaches, all eyes will be on Ubisoft. Will the company double down on its controversial policies, potentially sparking a full-blown labor crisis? Or will it recognize that its most valuable assets—its creative talent—are threatening to walk out the door? The answer could determine whether Ubisoft remains a major player in the gaming industry or becomes another cautionary tale of corporate mismanagement.

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