Ubisoft Barcelona’s Success Was Rewarded by Layoffs

Ubisoft Barcelona has made headlines with a layoff decision announced shortly after the completion of content for Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced. While it was stated that 51 employees working at the studio would be affected by the decision, team members are reacting negatively to both the process and the offered compensation terms. The fact that developers who played significant roles in the game’s acclaimed sections will lose their jobs has increased criticism of Ubisoft’s management style.

Ubisoft Barcelona Employees Prepare for Another Strike

In June, Ubisoft announced its decision to transform the Barcelona team into a studio primarily focused on Rainbow Six projects. As part of this restructuring, it was reported that 51 developers would be laid off. The announcement of the decision just days after the team completed work on Black Flag Resynced further fueled employee anger.

It is claimed that the Barcelona team’s contributions to the game were far more extensive than initially known. The studio reportedly worked on swimming systems, underwater mechanics, shipwrecks, smuggler areas, sea missions, and some side quests. They also contributed to various locations in the Gibara region, as well as boss battles and enemy AI.

The positive feedback from players, particularly regarding the underwater sections, has made the decision to lay off employees even more controversial. Employees argue that despite making significant contributions to a successful project, they have lost their job security. They also claim that the severance pay offered by the company falls below industry standards. While the offer exceeds the minimum limit under Spanish law, employees believe it is insufficient.

Ubisoft Barcelona employees will go on strike again on July 16, 2026, to demand a fairer compensation package and draw attention to the layoff process. The team is also calling on players and industry professionals to show solidarity. This incident once again demonstrates that successful projects do not always guarantee job security for employees.

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