Ubisoft is proposing a voluntary departure programme that could reduce its German workforce by about 100 people. The plan follows news that Ubisoft RedLynx in Finland is set to close and that 70 positions are being cut at Ubisoft Singapore.
The offer would cover employees at Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Ubisoft Berlin and Ubisoft Mainz. Together, the three studios employ approximately 600 people, meaning the proposed departures would affect roughly one in six workers. Employees who agree to leave would receive a buyout rather than face compulsory redundancy.
The reported calculation is based on an employee’s monthly salary multiplied by 1.5, then multiplied by the number of years they have worked for Ubisoft. The financial terms are still being discussed and have not been finalised.
Discussions began with the studios’ Betriebsrat, Germany’s elected works council system. A works council represents employees within a particular company, negotiating with management over working conditions and staff concerns. This differs from a union, which generally represents workers across an entire industry.
Why Ubisoft’s German structure is difficult to follow
The three affected locations are still associated with Blue Byte, the German company founded in 1988. Blue Byte became known for 1990s series such as Battle Isle and The Settlers.
Blue Byte later worked with Related Designs, the studio connected with the Anno series. Related Designs eventually became known as Ubisoft Mainz, adding to the complicated history behind Ubisoft’s current German studio structure.
Since January, Ubisoft Mainz has been part of Creative House 4 alongside Ubisoft Milan, Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Nadeo in Paris. This group is currently responsible for work connected with Anno, Rayman, Might & Magic, Prince of Persia and Beyond Good & Evil.
Düsseldorf and Berlin are instead part of the new Creative Network. This structure includes studios outside the Creative Houses and provides support for projects across those groups. Düsseldorf is the largest of the three German sites, with slightly more than 400 employees.
Further pressure after 2025 cuts
The proposed buyouts follow 185 layoffs in 2025 affecting Ubisoft’s German studios. Voluntary departures may offer staff a better alternative than compulsory redundancies, but the proposal indicates that cost reduction remains a priority.
The latest restructuring also did little to reassure investors. After the previous day’s cuts, Ubisoft shares dropped below €5 for the first time in a month. The company’s share price was more than 95% lower than its 2018 level.
Studio closures, workforce reductions and changing development structures continue to shape the games business. RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog covers wider gaming and arcade-industry news, while our arcade videos offer another way to follow the sector.
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