Ubisoft is currently going through a major period of change. These changes are having a significant impact on the people who work there. To address the situation, the video game giant held an internal town hall meeting on February 4. However, reports suggest that the meeting did little to calm the nerves of the staff.
Instead of feeling reassured, many employees reportedly feel more uncertain about their futures than before.
Morale continues to sink
According to reports and recordings of the meeting shared with media outlets, the general mood among the staff is low. A dozen employees who spoke anonymously described the meeting as disappointing. They felt that the executive team avoided giving direct answers to the most pressing questions.
Workers described the event as a masterclass in dodging inquiries. Rather than offering new information or comfort, the executives appeared to recite prepared statements. They focused on three main topics that are causing stress within the company: the mandatory return to the office, plans to cut jobs, and the creation of five new “creative houses.”
The push for office work
One of the biggest points of contention is the mandate for employees to return to the office. CEO Yves Guillemot spoke directly about this requirement. He insisted that the decision was made to boost team spirit and how people work together.
Guillemot stated that the leadership team did not make this choice lightly. He expressed a strong belief that working in person leads to better efficiency and innovation. He claimed that the company has already seen stronger performance since teams began coming back three days a week. In his view, the tech and creative industries simply function better when people are in the same room.
Marie-Sophie de Waubert, the chief studios and portfolio officer, supported the CEO’s stance. She addressed the idea of a four-day workweek, which some employees have requested. She made it clear that Ubisoft is not considering this option.
De Waubert explained that feedback from both inside and outside the company suggests that creative teams need to be together to succeed. She stated that the more people are present together, the better the collective output. Because of this, the company is sticking to its current position and will not be exploring a shortened workweek.
Guillemot added that the main goal is to get Ubisoft back on the right path. He wants the company to be profitable again so that everyone can share in that success. He emphasized that the collective talent of the team is what will make that happen.
Job cuts and restructuring
Another major source of anxiety is the threat of layoffs. There are fears that at least 200 staff members in France could lose their jobs.
Frederik Duguet, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), addressed these concerns but did not provide specific numbers. He admitted that the company is going through a restructuring process. He acknowledged that this will lead to some redundancies.
However, Duguet refused to confirm any specific figures regarding how many people would be let go. He stated clearly that the company has not shared those numbers publicly and would not do so during the meeting. He did confirm, though, that more restructuring is on the way. He explained that the organization needs to be resized to reduce costs. This confirmation of “additional targeting restructuring” has left many employees worried about their job security.
Communication breakdowns
A recurring complaint from staff is that they often learn about major company decisions through the news rather than from management. Executive Vice President Cécile Russeil acknowledged this problem during the meeting.
She admitted that transparent communication is important. She told the staff that management had heard their frustrations. In the future, she promised that the company would attach press releases to internal emails. The goal is to ensure that employees receive information at the exact same time as the media and investors.
Selling creative houses is an option
Perhaps the most surprising news came from CFO Frederik Duguet regarding the company’s new structure. Ubisoft has established five “creative houses” to oversee different game franchises and projects.
Duguet stated that the company wants these teams to succeed. He acknowledged that they might not make a profit immediately. However, he laid out a stark reality for the future.
He reportedly said that if any of these creative houses continue to perform below management’s expectations, selling them is a possibility. He confirmed that selling a house could happen if it is deemed good for the long-term vision of that specific house or for Ubisoft as a whole. This comment suggests that parts of the company could be sold off if they do not hit their targets.
Conclusion
The town hall comes at a very difficult time for Ubisoft. Tensions between the management and the workforce are at an all-time high. Employees have expressed feelings of anger and despair over the looming layoffs. The situation was made worse recently when a developer was reportedly fired for criticizing the return-to-office policy.
In response to these challenges, labor unions at the company are taking action. They have called for a three-day strike scheduled from February 10 to February 12. The unions are also calling for CEO Yves Guillemot to resign. With management standing firm on their policies and staff demanding change, the future of the company remains uncertain.
