Ubisoft has confirmed it is closing its Halifax studio, a recently unionized team in Canada responsible for developing mobile adaptations of major franchises like Rainbow Six and Assassin’s Creed. The shutdown will impact 71 employees, marking a significant change within Ubisoft’s Canadian operations and raising questions about the future of its mobile projects.
The Halifax branch, which had only recently completed unionization efforts, had been focused on creating mobile games tied to Ubisoft’s flagship IPs. The decision to shutter the studio reportedly came after strategic evaluations by the publisher, although Ubisoft has not elaborated extensively on the reasons behind this move.
**Key details:**
– Ubisoft Halifax employed 71 team members, all of whom will be affected by the closure.
– The studio’s primary focus was on developing mobile games linked to high-profile franchises such as Rainbow Six and Assassin’s Creed.
– Halifax studio staff had recently voted to unionize, making this one of the few Ubisoft studios in North America to formalize union representation.
– Ubisoft has not specified if any of the Halifax projects will be moved to other studios or cancelled altogether.
– The closure aligns with broader restructuring efforts within Ubisoft as the company adapts its global development strategy, especially in the mobile gaming space.
**Why this matters**
Ubisoft’s decision to close a unionized studio is noteworthy within the wider context of labor relations and the evolving landscape of game development. Halifax’s unionization was a prominent event, signaling growing employee organization within the industry, particularly in North America where such efforts have been slower to take root compared to Europe.
Moreover, mobile gaming continues to be a key area of investment for major publishers, and Ubisoft’s mobile spin-offs of its core franchises represent a strategic attempt to diversify revenue streams. The studio’s closure may indicate challenges in translating these flagship experiences to the mobile market or a shift in corporate priorities.
This move also stokes discussion about job security for unionized workers in a sector often marked by shifting project scopes and organizational restructuring. Industry observers will be watching closely to see if Ubisoft’s approach to its unionized studios influences other companies facing similar workforce changes.
**Platforms and release context**
Ubisoft Halifax’s focus on mobile titles means the affected projects were developed for iOS and Android devices. The studio was known for adapting the tactical gameplay of Rainbow Six and the rich narrative of Assassin’s Creed into mobile-friendly formats, though specific release plans for upcoming games remain unclear following the closure announcement.
As Ubisoft recalibrates its approach to mobile gaming, it is likely that future projects from these franchises on mobile platforms will be handled by other studios within the company’s global network. However, official details regarding the fate of ongoing or planned titles from Halifax have yet to be confirmed.
In summary, Ubisoft’s closure of its Halifax studio signals a significant shift for both its workforce and mobile development strategy, highlighting ongoing challenges in the intersection of corporate restructuring and employee unionization in the gaming industry.
Source: gamesindustry.biz
