Ubisoft Shutters Halifax Studio Behind Mobile Assassins Creed Rebellion, Affecting 71 Jobs

Ubisoft has closed its studio in Halifax, Canada, resulting in the layoff of 71 employees. This team had been involved in the development of the mobile game  Assassin’s Creed Rebellion and had been a part of the company for many years.

In a communication to staff, Ubisoft attributed the closure to an optimization and restructuring program that has been ongoing for nearly two years. The publisher emphasized that the decision to shut down the studio was not influenced by recent union activities; just a month prior, Halifax team members formed a union and joined the Canadian Union of Graphic and Media Workers. According to Ubisoft, the decision was made well before this development, and the company «fully respects» the employees’ right to organize.

The layoffs will affect a total of 71 positions. Ubisoft has promised support for all affected employees, including severance packages and assistance in finding new employment.

It’s worth noting that the casual game Assassin’s Creed Rebellion was launched in 2018 and operated on a free-to-play model. Over time, the revenue from the project began to decline, leading the publisher to decide to halt its development and cease releasing new content.

This marks a continued challenging period for Ubisoft. At the end of last year, the company established a subsidiary called Vantage Studios, with 25% ownership by Chinese giant Tencent. This new division oversees the publisher’s key franchises, managed by Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot. Concurrently, Ubisoft has announced a shift toward a less centralized operational model to grant creative teams more authority over their brands.